🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About Ann Cleeves
The character of DI Vera Stanhope, is not only one of Anne Cleeves most remarkable and moving characters, but thanks to the television series Vera, she is also one the most successful. The character of Vera appears in six novels and this sassy detective has proven entertaining for even those who have not read the novels. Vera is now on its fourth television series and airs on the British television channel known as ITV. The very successful actress Brenda Blethyn portrays Vera, which has undoubtedly added to the success of the show. Anne Cleeves is very proud of this and is delighted by the overwhelming success of the series. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books series, Ann Cleeves 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 Ann Cleeves
A Bird in the Hand
A Bird in the Hand is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Come Death And High Water
A gripping mystery unfolds in Come Death And High Water as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
Murder In Paradise
A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder In Paradise as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
A Prey To Murder
A gripping mystery unfolds in A Prey To Murder as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
Another Man's Poison
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books with Another Man's Poison, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
Sea Fever
Sea Fever is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
The Mill On The Shore
The Mill On The Shore continues the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
High Island Blues
High Island Blues continues the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
A Lesson In Dying
A Lesson In Dying continues the Publication Order of Inspector Ramsay Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Murder In My Backyard
A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder In My Backyard as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Inspector Ramsay Books series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy
A gripping mystery unfolds in A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Inspector Ramsay Books series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
Killjoy
A gripping mystery unfolds in Killjoy as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Inspector Ramsay Books series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
The Healers
The Healers continues the Publication Order of Inspector Ramsay Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Baby Snatcher
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Inspector Ramsay Books with The Baby Snatcher, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
The Long Call
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Matthew Venn / Two Rivers Books with The Long Call, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
The Heron's Cry
The Heron's Cry continues the Publication Order of Matthew Venn / Two Rivers Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Girls on the Shore
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Matthew Venn / Two Rivers Books with The Girls on the Shore, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
The Raging Storm
The Raging Storm is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Matthew Venn / Two Rivers Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
The Dying Light
The Dying Light continues the Publication Order of Matthew Venn / Two Rivers Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Crow Trap
The Crow Trap is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Telling Tales
Telling Tales is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Hidden Depths
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books with Hidden Depths, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
Silent Voices
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books with Silent Voices, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
The Glass Room
The Glass Room continues the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Harbour Street
Harbour Street continues the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Moth Catcher
The Moth Catcher is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
The Seagull
The Seagull is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Frozen
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books with Frozen, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
The Darkest Evening
The Darkest Evening is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
The Woman on the Island
The Woman on the Island continues the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Rising Tide
The Rising Tide is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
The Dark Wives
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books with The Dark Wives, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
Raven Black
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Shetland Island Books with Raven Black, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
White Nights
White Nights continues the Publication Order of Shetland Island Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Red Bones
Red Bones continues the Publication Order of Shetland Island Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Blue Lightning
Blue Lightning continues the Publication Order of Shetland Island Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Dead Water
A gripping mystery unfolds in Dead Water as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Shetland Island Books series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
Thin Air
Thin Air is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Shetland Island Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Too Good To Be True
Too Good To Be True is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Shetland Island Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Cold Earth
Cold Earth is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Shetland Island Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Wild Fire
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Shetland Island Books with Wild Fire, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
Shetland
Shetland continues the Publication Order of Shetland Island Non-Fiction Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Lonely Man
The Lonely Man continues the Publication Order of Willow Reeves & Jimmy Perez Books story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Killing Stones
A gripping mystery unfolds in The Killing Stones as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Willow Reeves & Jimmy Perez Books series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
The Sleeping and the Dead
A gripping mystery unfolds in The Sleeping and the Dead as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
Burial of Ghosts
Burial of Ghosts is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Dreaming of Rain and Peter Lovesey
Dreaming of Rain and Peter Lovesey explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series by Ann Cleeves.
Offshore
Offshore is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Best Eaten Cold and Other Stories: A Murder Squad Anthology
A gripping mystery unfolds in Best Eaten Cold and Other Stories: A Murder Squad Anthology as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
The Library Book
The Library Book continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Deadly Pleasures
A gripping mystery unfolds in Deadly Pleasures as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
The Starlings & Other Stories
The Starlings & Other Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Crime Writers: A Decade of Crime
The investigation intensifies in Crime Writers: A Decade of Crime, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Ann Cleeves's creation.
CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
Ten Year Stretch
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Ten Year Stretch, another outstanding contribution from Ann Cleeves.
Bloody Scotland
A gripping mystery unfolds in Bloody Scotland as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
Many Deadly Returns
A gripping mystery unfolds in Many Deadly Returns as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
An Unnecessary Assassin
An Unnecessary Assassin is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Ann Cleeves have come to expect.
Killin’ Time in San Diego: Bouchercon Anthology 2023
A gripping mystery unfolds in Killin’ Time in San Diego: Bouchercon Anthology 2023 as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
Ink and Daggers
Ink and Daggers continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Ann Cleeves's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Playing Dead: Short Stories by Members of the Detection Club
A gripping mystery unfolds in Playing Dead: Short Stories by Members of the Detection Club as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Ann Cleeves's mastery of suspense.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ann Cleeves?
Ann Cleeves is a bestselling author known for 11 book series containing over 61 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books, Publication Order of Inspector Ramsay Books, Publication Order of Matthew Venn / Two Rivers Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
What is the best Ann Cleeves series to start with?
For readers new to Ann Cleeves's work, the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 8 books. Begin with A Bird in the Hand to start from the very beginning.
How many books has Ann Cleeves written?
Ann Cleeves has written over 61 books across 11 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.
Should I read Ann Cleeves books in order?
Yes, reading Ann Cleeves'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 Ann Cleeves write in?
Ann Cleeves writes primarily in fiction. With 11 series across 61 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.
Are Ann Cleeves's books standalone or must they be read as a series?
Most of Ann Cleeves'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 Ann Cleeves's most popular book?
Based on reader reviews and sales data, Ann Cleeves's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Palmer-Jones Books series. The first book, A Bird in the Hand, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.