David Pearson Books in Order

Where to Start Reading David Pearson

For readers new to David Pearson's crime fiction, the best place to start is the bestselling Galway Homicide series, beginning with the first novel, Murder on the Old Bog Road. This series serves as the perfect introduction to Pearson's signature style: atmospheric, character-driven police procedurals that favor intricate puzzle-solving over graphic violence. Set against the windswept and rugged landscapes of Connemara on Ireland's west coast, the series establishes the cozy yet suspenseful tone that defines his work.

While each book features a self-contained murder investigation that is fully resolved by the final page, it is highly recommended to read the books in order of publication. This allows you to appreciate the character development, the evolving dynamics, and the personal lives of the recurring protagonists, Detective Inspector Mick Hays and Detective Sergeant Maureen Lyons.

Publication Order of the Galway Homicide Series

The Galway Homicide series (often referred to as the Hays and Lyons series) is set in and around the coastal town of Clifden in Connemara. It is Pearson's longest-running and most popular series, consisting of 15 books published between 2018 and 2023. Here is the list of books in their recommended reading order:

1. Murder on the Old Bog Road (2018) – The series opener where a woman's body found in a ditch exposes dark secrets in a tight-knit Irish town.
2. Murder at the Old Cottage (2018) – Hays and Lyons investigate a suspicious death at an isolated cottage in the Irish countryside.
3. Murder on the West Coast (2018) – The detective duo is called to investigate a body found along the rugged Connemara coastline.
4. Murder at the Pony Show (2018) – Tensions run high when a suspicious death disrupts the famous annual Connemara Pony Show.
5. Murder on Pay Day (2018) – A seemingly straightforward robbery turns into a complex murder investigation.
6. Murder in the Air (2018) – The team investigates a death involving a light aircraft, adding aviation elements to the mystery.
7. Murder At The Holiday Home (2019) – A vacation home becomes the scene of a crime, raising questions about seasonal visitors and local grudges.
8. Murder on the Peninsula (2019) – An isolated peninsula provides the setting for a atmospheric and secretive investigation.
9. Murder at the Races (2019) – The excitement of the local horse races is cut short by a mysterious death.
10. Murder in a Safe Haven (2020) – Hays and Lyons look into a murder in a place that was supposed to offer sanctuary.
11. Murder In An Irish Bog (2021) – The discovery of remains in a peat bog pulls the detectives into a cold case with modern repercussions.
12. Murder In A Seaside Town (2021) – The suspicious death of a local bookseller puzzles the Clifden Garda station.
13. Murder by the Hidden Bay (2022) – A body hidden in a secluded bay prompts a search for a clever killer.
14. Murder at the Arts Festival (2023) – A high-profile murder takes place during a local cultural festival, bringing unwelcome media attention.
15. Murder at the Caravan (2023) – The final installment of the series focuses on a deadly dispute within a local caravan park.

The Dublin Homicides Series

For readers looking for a slightly grittier, urban tone, The Dublin Homicides series is a fantastic alternative. Set in the bustling capital city of Dublin, this series stars Detective Inspector Aidan Burke and Detective Sergeant Fiona Moore. While it retains Pearson's signature focus on clever plotting and avoiding excessive gore, the city setting brings a faster pace and different social dynamics. These six books should be read in publication order:

1. A Deadly Dividend (2020) – Burke and Moore investigate a murder linked to corporate finance and greed.
2. A Fatal Liaison (2020) – A crime of passion leads the detectives through a web of secrets and illicit relationships.
3. The China Chapter (2020) – A complex case involving international connections and local Dublin crime networks.
4. Lethal In Small Doses (2020) – The team investigates a series of suspicious poisonings that point to a calculating killer.
5. Plane Dead (2021) – A murder mystery that unfolds within the aviation sector, testing the limits of Dublin's detectives.
6. Passion for Murder (2022) – The final book in the Dublin series, featuring a high-stakes investigation that hits close to home.

The Wexford Homicides Series

In 2023, David Pearson introduced a new setting and protagonist with The Wexford Homicides. The series stars Detective Inspector Vikki Kirkby, who has been transferred from Dublin to the rural southeast of Ireland as a form of "punishment posting." The books follow her struggle to establish her authority within a male-dominated Garda station while solving local puzzles. Read these two books in order:

1. The Ferry Port Mystery (2023) – DI Kirkby's first case in Wexford involves the suspicious death of an elderly couple near the Rosslare ferry port.
2. The Empty Safe Mystery (2023) – Kirkby investigates a high-profile robbery and subsequent death at a building society in the center of Wexford town.

The Mayo Mysteries

Pearson's most recent series, The Mayo Mysteries (also known as the Mayo Murders), shifts the focus northwest to County Mayo, specifically near Westport. The series introduces DI Martin O'Shea and DS Deirdre Maguire as they tackle rural crimes. To date, the series begins with:

• The Farmyard Mystery (2024) – Also published under the title The Farmhouse Mystery, this book follows O'Shea and Maguire as they investigate the midnight murders of a local farmer and his student son.

What to Know Before You Start

David Pearson's background as a program manager in financial services and IT is reflected in the logical, structured plotting of his police procedurals. He is also a passionate photographer, which explains the highly visual and descriptive style of his landscapes, making the Irish geography a key character in each series. Because there are no major crossovers where characters from one series take over another, you can safely read each series independently. However, the internal progression of partnerships makes reading each individual series in publication order the most rewarding path.