D.S. Butler Books in Order

Where to Start Reading D.S. Butler

If you are new to the gripping world of D.S. Butler, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by her multiple series and pen names. The British author, a former research biochemist at the University of Oxford, writes under three names: D.S. Butler for her mainstream police procedurals, Dani Oakley for gritty gangland crime, and Danica Britton for lighthearted paranormal cozy mysteries. Because her styles vary so widely, your ideal starting point depends entirely on what kind of mystery you are in the mood for.

For the Gritty Police Procedural Fan: Begin with Bring Them Home, the first book in the Detective Karen Hart series. This series is Butler’s most acclaimed work, offering a perfect blend of complex police investigation, atmospheric Lincolnshire settings, and deep emotional stakes. Karen Hart is a detective haunted by a devastating personal loss, and watching her rebuild her life while solving dark crimes is highly rewarding.

For the Science and Forensic Enthusiast: Start with Deadly Motive or its prequel Deadly Obsession in the DS Jack MacKinnon series. Set in London, these books draw heavily on Butler's biochemistry background, featuring authentic forensic detail, lab environments, and clever scientific plot points. The books are fast-paced, gritty, and perfect for fans of procedural realism.

For the Cozy Mystery Lover: Pick up A Witchy Business, written under the pen name Danica Britton. This series follows Harper Grant, a witch living in Abbott Cove who can see ghosts. It is a delightful departure from Butler's darker thrillers, offering light humor, eccentric townspeople, and charming mysteries.

For the Gangland Thriller Addict: Try East End Trouble, published under her Dani Oakley pen name. Set in London’s gritty underworld, this trilogy delivers high-stakes drama, family rivalries, and fast-paced action.

Detective Karen Hart Series in Reading Order

The Detective Karen Hart series is set against the misty, atmospheric backdrop of Lincolnshire. Unlike some procedural series where the books can be read in any order, the Karen Hart books have a strong, overarching character arc detailing Karen's emotional recovery and professional challenges. We strongly recommend reading them in publication order to appreciate how her relationships and personal story evolve.

• Bring Them Home (2018) – Karen is called to investigate the murder of a local businessman, forcing her to confront her own past.
• Where Secrets Lie (2019) – A body is found on the Lincolnshire coast, leading Karen into a web of local secrets.
• Don't Turn Back (2020) – A child goes missing, triggering a high-stakes search that hits close to home for Karen.
• House of Lies (2020) – Karen investigates a murder at an isolated farmhouse, where family secrets run deep.
• On Cold Ground (2021) – A body discovered in a frozen field leads to an investigation involving long-buried truths.
• What She Said (2022) – A woman vanishes after leaving a mysterious voicemail, sending Karen on a race against time.
• Find Her Alive (2023) – Karen searches for a missing girl while navigating department politics and personal threats.
• Before the Dawn (2024) – A complex murder case forces Karen to dig into the local community's dark history.
• Leave No Trace (2024) – A crime scene with no clues challenges Karen and her team to their absolute limits.
• In Plain Sight (2025) – Karen hunts a killer who seems to be operating right under the police's noses.
• See No Evil (2025) – Karen takes on her most personal case yet, testing her police instincts like never before.

DS Jack MacKinnon Series in Reading Order

The DS Jack MacKinnon series features a London detective tackling dark, complex cases. This series is notable for incorporating D.S. Butler's biochemistry background, particularly in the forensics and methods of murder. While the books are largely standalone case-by-case mysteries, reading them in order lets you follow Jack's career progression and personal life.

Note on Chronology: The prequel Deadly Obsession was published in the same year as the official first book, Deadly Motive. Because it depicts Jack's early career and the events that shaped him, it is best read first, serving as Book 0.5 or Book 1 depending on how you look at the series.

1. Deadly Obsession (2012) – The prequel novel that follows MacKinnon hunting a killer targeting young women.
2. Deadly Motive (2012) – The official series debut, centering on a scientist poisoned with aconite at an Oxford laboratory.
3. Deadly Revenge (2012) – Jack investigates a series of murders that point to a killer seeking vengeance.
4. Deadly Justice (2013) – A high-profile murder leads Jack into a dangerous conspiracy.
5. Deadly Ritual (2014) – Jack deals with ritualistic killings that shock the local London community.
6. Deadly Payback (2015) – A past case comes back to haunt Jack as he searches for a vengeful killer.
7. Deadly Game (2016) – A twisted killer plays a game of cat-and-mouse with Jack and the police force.
8. Deadly Intent (2019) – Jack must untangle a web of lies to stop a killer before they strike again.

The East End Series (As Dani Oakley)

Writing under the pen name Dani Oakley, D.S. Butler delivers a gritty, action-packed gangland trilogy set in London's East End. These stories focus less on police procedurals and more on criminal organizations, family loyalty, and survival in a hostile underworld. The trilogy is a tight, connected story that must be read in order.

• East End Trouble (2016)
• East End Diamond (2016)
• East End Retribution (2017)

The Harper Grant Cozy Mysteries (As Danica Britton)

For a complete change of pace, D.S. Butler uses the pen name Danica Britton to write paranormal cozy mysteries. These books follow Harper Grant, a witch living in the quirky town of Abbott Cove who can see and communicate with ghosts. They are light, funny, and full of magic, making them a great palate cleanser between her darker thrillers.

• A Witchy Business (2016)
• A Witchy Mystery (2016)
• A Witchy Christmas (2016)
• A Witchy Valentine (2017)
• Harper Grant and the Poisoned Pumpkin Pie (2018) – A paranormal cozy short story (also known as A Witchy Short).
• A Witchy Bake-Off (2018)

Standalone Psychological Thrillers

If you want a self-contained story without committing to a series, D.S. Butler has written two gripping standalone psychological thrillers. These novels focus on domestic suspense, family secrets, and the terrifying lengths people will go to protect their loved ones.

• Lost Child (2017) – A psychological thriller about a mother's worst nightmare and the dark secrets that emerge during the search.
• Her Missing Daughter (2018) – A fast-paced suspense novel centering on a mother desperate to find her daughter after she vanishes without a trace.

What to Know Before You Start

D.S. Butler's writing is highly praised for its authenticity. As a former biochemist who worked at the University of Oxford and in hospital pathology labs, she uses her scientific expertise to construct believable crime scenes and realistic toxicological elements, particularly in the DS Jack MacKinnon series. While the Karen Hart series leans more into psychological depth and the scenic, rural atmosphere of Lincolnshire, both series show her command of tension and pacing. Readers can comfortably jump between her different pen names, but keep in mind that the tone shifts dramatically from the gritty crime of Dani Oakley to the lighthearted magic of Danica Britton.