Where to Start Reading Damien Boyd
If you are new to Damien Boyd's work, the absolute best place to start is with the debut novel that launched his career, As the Crow Flies (2013). This book introduces Detective Inspector Nick Dixon, a Bridgwater-based investigator, ex-solicitor, and diabetic who uses his razor-sharp intellect and willingness to bend the rules to solve complex crimes. Starting here allows you to experience the character development and personal relationships exactly as the author intended.
The DI Nick Dixon Series in Reading Order
The DI Nick Dixon series is a collection of contemporary police procedurals set in the beautiful, often moody landscapes of Somerset, England. While each book features a standalone mystery that is resolved by the final page, the underlying character development, professional dynamics, and personal relationships build directly from one book to the next. For the most satisfying experience, readers should follow the publication and chronological order listed below:
- As the Crow Flies (2013) – Dixon investigates the suspicious death of a rock climber in the iconic Cheddar Gorge, which hits close to home.
- Head in the Sand (2013) – Dixon goes undercover at a local boarding school after a severed head is discovered in a bunker on a golf course.
- Kickback (2014) – An investigation into an illegal road traffic collision leads Dixon into a dark conspiracy involving massive financial fraud.
- Swansong (2015) – The murder of a nursing student at a local college forces Dixon to navigate local politics and historical secrets.
- Dead Level (2016) – Set against the backdrop of the devastating Somerset Levels floods, Dixon investigates a double murder that leads to a local farm.
- Death Sentence (2016) – A high-stakes investigation unfolds when a defense barrister is murdered in front of a crown court.
- Heads or Tails (2017) – A series of bizarre and brutal murders along the Somerset coast challenges Dixon to find the patterns before the killer strikes again.
- Dead Lock (2018) – Dixon finds himself caught in a complex web of corporate greed and murder in the Somerset shipping docks.
- Beyond the Point (2019) – Dixon is called to investigate a gruesome murder at the construction site of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.
- Down Among the Dead (2020) – While on suspension, Dixon is drawn into a cold case investigation that threatens to expose institutional corruption.
- Dying Inside (2021) – An investigation into a prison death turns personal as Dixon has to dig into the dark secrets of the local penal system.
- Carnival Blues (2022) – Set during the famous, explosive Somerset carnival season, Dixon races against the clock to solve a murder amidst the celebrations.
- Death Message (2023) – A historical mystery resurfaces when a modern murder mirrors a cold case from the archives.
- From the Ashes (2024) – Dixon untangles a modern crime with deep roots in a historical Somerset battlefield.
- Blue Blood (2025) – DI Nick Dixon returns to face a case involving police corruption and high-level conspiracies.
- Seeing Red (Scheduled for August 11, 2026) – The sixteenth installment in the long-running series, taking Dixon into his next major investigation.
The DI Bob Willis Retro Companion Series
In 2025, Damien Boyd expanded his literary universe with a brand-new series featuring DI Mungo "Bob" Willis. Set in the mid-1980s (specifically starting in 1985), this retro companion series provides a fascinating contrast to the Nick Dixon books. Because it is set in an era before mobile phones, DNA profiling, and modern databases, the investigations rely strictly on traditional, boots-on-the-ground police work and classic detective intuition.
The DI Bob Willis books are completely separate from the DI Nick Dixon series and do not feature crossover storylines, meaning you can read them independently or as a palate cleanser between Dixon novels. The recommended reading order for this historical subseries is:
- Deceived by the Light (2025) – Introduces DI Mungo "Bob" Willis as he is forced out of the police force on medical grounds but takes on an unofficial investigation.
- Blast from the Past (2026) – Willis works within a Cold Case Unit in 1986, investigating a decades-old disappearance of a young boy.
- Deliver Us from Evil (Upcoming) – The announced third novel in the retro series.
What to Know Before You Start
One of the defining features of Damien Boyd's novels is their absolute procedural authenticity. Boyd spent 25 years working as a solicitor and within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) before transitioning to writing. This background ensures that the legal arguments, police protocols, forensic details, and courtroom scenes in the books are meticulously accurate and true to life.
Additionally, Somerset is not just a backdrop in these books; it behaves like a living character. From the sandy beaches of Burnham-on-Sea to the craggy peaks of Cheddar Gorge, the Bridgwater CID, and the Somerset Levels, the geographical setting plays a vital role in the atmosphere and plots of each mystery. Reading the books in order allows you to travel through this scenic, atmospheric region alongside Dixon and his team.