A

Alex Howard

Bestselling Author • 4 Series • 13 Books

4
Series
13
Books
4
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books
Start with: Time To Die / The Stolen Child (2014)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of PI Hanlon Books
Start with: Silenced For Good (2020)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Old Forge Café Mysteries Books
Start with: Murder on the Menu (2023)

About Alex Howard

Alex Howard is the author of a series of crime novels featuring DI Hanlon. It is the pen name used by Alex Coombs. He would later switch to writing under his real name. +Biography Alex Howard is a curious individual in that you wouldn’t immediately peg him as an author. Alex was born in 1961 in Lambeth, London. Nothing in his life ever suggested that he would go the route of an author, though the decision has clearly paid off, what with all the praise his novels tend to attract. Alex is a teacher by trade. That is what he has been doing for the longest time, and he definitely knows his craft. The author grew up in Buckinghamshire, Bourne End. His teaching career can be traced back to Grammar School in Marlow. The author also had the privilege of attending St. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books series, Alex Howard has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Alex Howard

Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books
4 books 2014–2017
1

Time To Die / The Stolen Child

Time To Die / The Stolen Child continues the Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books story arc with Alex Howard's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2014
2

Cold Revenge / The Innocent Girl

Cold Revenge / The Innocent Girl continues the Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books story arc with Alex Howard's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2015
3

A Hard Woman to Kill / The Missing Husband

A gripping mystery unfolds in A Hard Woman to Kill / The Missing Husband as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books series showcases Alex Howard's mastery of suspense.

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2015
4

An Incidental Death / The Silent Victims

A gripping mystery unfolds in An Incidental Death / The Silent Victims as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books series showcases Alex Howard's mastery of suspense.

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2017
Publication Order of PI Hanlon Books
3 books 2020–2021
1

Silenced For Good

Silenced For Good is an essential installment in the Publication Order of PI Hanlon Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Alex Howard have come to expect.

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2020
2

Missing For Good

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of PI Hanlon Books with Missing For Good, another outstanding contribution from Alex Howard.

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2020
3

Buried For Good

Buried For Good is an essential installment in the Publication Order of PI Hanlon Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Alex Howard have come to expect.

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2021
Publication Order of Old Forge Café Mysteries Books
5 books 2023–2025
1

Murder on the Menu

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder on the Menu as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Old Forge Café Mysteries Books series showcases Alex Howard's mastery of suspense.

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2023
2

Death in Nonna's Kitchen

A gripping mystery unfolds in Death in Nonna's Kitchen as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Old Forge Café Mysteries Books series showcases Alex Howard's mastery of suspense.

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2024
3

A Knife in the Back

A Knife in the Back continues the Publication Order of Old Forge Café Mysteries Books story arc with Alex Howard's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2024
4

Death of a Mystery Guest

A gripping mystery unfolds in Death of a Mystery Guest as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Old Forge Café Mysteries Books series showcases Alex Howard's mastery of suspense.

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2025
5

Murder and the Maitre D'

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder and the Maitre D' as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Old Forge Café Mysteries Books series showcases Alex Howard's mastery of suspense.

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2025
Publication Order of Anthologies
1 books 2015–2015
1

The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories, another outstanding contribution from Alex Howard.

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2015

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Alex Howard?

Alex Howard is a bestselling author known for 4 book series containing over 13 books. Popular series include Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books, Publication Order of PI Hanlon Books, Publication Order of Old Forge Café Mysteries Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Alex Howard series to start with?

For readers new to Alex Howard's work, the Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 4 books. Begin with Time To Die / The Stolen Child to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Alex Howard written?

Alex Howard has written over 13 books across 4 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Alex Howard books in order?

Yes, reading Alex Howard's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Alex Howard write in?

Alex Howard writes primarily in fiction. With 4 series across 13 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Alex Howard's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Alex Howard's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Alex Howard's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Alex Howard's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of DCI Hanlon Books series. The first book, Time To Die / The Stolen Child, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.