Can Dreda Say Mitchell's series be read out of order?

While each book features a self-contained mystery or conflict, it is highly recommended to read the Flesh and Blood and Gangland Girls series in order, as the characters grow, adapt, and face long-term consequences across the novels.

Who is Ryan Carter and how does he relate to her books?

Ryan Carter is the pen name of Mitchell's husband, Tony Mason. Together, they have co-authored many of her bestselling psychological thrillers, including Spare Room , Trap Door , and Say Her Name .

Which Dreda Say Mitchell book won the John Creasey Dagger?

Her debut novel, Running Hot (2004), won the CWA John Creasey Dagger in 2005, making her the first Black British writer to receive this prestigious award.

Are the "Big Mo" books related to her other series?

No, the Big Mo suspense series operates in its own continuity, focusing on the exploits of Maureen "Big Mo" Watson, and is separate from the Gangland Girls universe.

Where does the character Schoolboy Campbell appear?

Elijah "Schoolboy" Campbell is the protagonist of Dreda's debut novel Running Hot and later crosses over into the Gangland Girls series in the book Hit Girls .

Dreda Say Mitchell Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Dreda Say Mitchell

Dreda Say Mitchell’s body of work spans two distinct flavors: gritty, authentic gangland crime dramas set in London's East End, and pulse-pounding psychological thrillers. Where you should begin depends on what kind of thrill you are seeking:

For Gangland Crime & Family Sagas: Start with Geezer Girls (the first book of the Gangland Girls series) or Blood Sister (the opening chapter of the Flesh and Blood series). Both plunge you straight into the complex loyalty, survival, and criminality of London council estates.
For High-Octane Standalones: Start with her award-winning debut Running Hot, which won the John Creasey Dagger. It offers a raw, relentless chase through Hackney's underworld.
For Modern Psychological Thrillers: Start with the Amazon #1 bestseller Spare Room, her first major psychological thriller co-authored with Ryan Carter.

Flesh and Blood Series (The Miller Family Saga)

This series follows the tumultuous lives of the Miller family on the Essex Lane Estate over several decades. While some databases contain slight chronological or publication year discrepancies, the recommended reading order to experience the full narrative flow of this family saga is as follows:

Blood Sister (2016)
Blood Mother (2017)
Blood Daughter (2017)
Blood Secrets (2018)

Additionally, the novella One False Move (2017), written for the Quick Reads initiative, features a similar gritty tone and setting but is a standalone story rather than a direct continuation of the Miller family arc.

Gangland Girls Series

This was the series that cemented Mitchell's reputation as a master of modern British gangland noir. It features fierce female protagonists navigating the margins of the criminal underworld. We recommend reading them in order of release:

Geezer Girls (2009)
Gangster Girl (2010)
Hit Girls (2011)

Reader Connection: Elijah "Schoolboy" Campbell, the protagonist of Mitchell’s standalone debut Running Hot (2004), returns as a crossover character in Hit Girls, bringing her early crime universe full circle.

Big Mo Suspense Series

This high-stakes suspense series revolves around the powerful and formidable Maureen "Big Mo" Watson. It should be read in publication order:

Dirty Tricks (2020)
Fight Dirty (2021)
Wicked Women (2021)
Play Dirty (2024)

DI Rio Wray & Mac Series

A fast-paced detective series featuring investigator Rio Wray. It consists of two novels and an associated short story:

Vendetta (2014)
Death Trap (2015)

The standalone short story/novella Snatched (2015) is closely associated with this era of Mitchell’s detective writing and can be read alongside these books.

Love and Hate Series

Set in London's East End during the late 1960s and 1970s, this historical gangland crime series traces the origins of crime families through decades of secrets and rivalries:

Love and Hate (2025)
Honour and Vengeance (2025)
Secrets and Lies (2025)
Guilt and Innocence (2025)

Standalone Novels & Co-Authored Psychological Thrillers

Beginning in 2019, Dreda Say Mitchell began co-writing psychological thrillers with her husband Tony Mason, who writes under the pen name Ryan Carter. Their collaborative writing process features Carter plotting the twists and Mitchell focusing on character emotions and polishing the narrative. These standalones can be read in any order:

Running Hot (2004) - Mitchell's solo debut and John Creasey Dagger winner.
Killer Tune (2007) - A solo novel dealing with radical politics and music in the East End.
Spare Room (2019) - Co-authored; a tense story of a young woman discovering dark secrets in a rented room.
Trap Door (2020) - Co-authored.
Say Her Name (2022) - Co-authored.
Believe Me (2023) - Co-authored.
Girl, Missing (2024) - Co-authored.
Gone (2025) - Co-authored.
Watching You Fall (2026) - Co-authored.

Mitchell also contributed a reimagined story to the official Agatha Christie anthology, Marple: Twelve New Mysteries (2022), which explores Miss Marple in a 1960s setting addressing themes of race and identity.

What to Know Before You Start

Dreda Say Mitchell’s novels are highly praised for their authenticity, which stems directly from her own childhood growing up on a council estate in London's East End. Her books do not shy away from the harsh realities of poverty, gang culture, and institutional barriers, yet they remain deeply human and life-affirming. While her series are best enjoyed in order due to character development and returning figures (such as "Schoolboy" Campbell), almost all of her thriller books are structured to hold their own as standalone page-turners.