📖 About Father Dowling

Father Dowling is a series universe written by Ralph McInerny. The complete collection runs to 32 books across 2 series, published between 1977 and 2011.

The main series is Publication Order of Father Dowling Books with 30 books. It opens with Her Death of Cold (1977) and currently runs to The Compassion of Father Dowling (2011).

Series included on this page:

🎯 Where to Start with Father Dowling

New readers should begin with the first book of the main series in publication order: Her Death of Cold (1977), book 1 of Publication Order of Father Dowling Books. Reading in publication order lets the world and characters develop the way the author intended, and it avoids spoilers that later books may contain.

Each of the 2 series on this page is expandable — click a series heading to see every title it contains, in order, with a direct link to buy the book on Amazon.

📚 Father Dowling Books in Order

Publication Order of Father Dowling Books
30 books
1
Her Death of Cold book cover1Her Death of Cold1977Buy on Amazon
Bishop as Pawn book cover2Bishop as Pawn1978Buy on Amazon
The Seventh Station book cover3The Seventh Station1978Buy on Amazon
Lying Three book cover4Lying Three1979Buy on Amazon
Second Vespers book cover5Second Vespers1980Buy on Amazon
Thicker Than Water book cover6Thicker Than Water1981Buy on Amazon
A Loss of Patients book cover7A Loss of Patients1982Buy on Amazon
The Grass Widow book cover8The Grass Widow1983Buy on Amazon
Getting a Way with Murder book cover9Getting a Way with Murder1984Buy on Amazon
Rest in Pieces book cover10Rest in Pieces1985Buy on Amazon
The Basket Case book cover11The Basket Case1987Buy on Amazon
Abracadaver / Slight of Body book cover12Abracadaver / Slight of Body1989Buy on Amazon
Four on the Floor book cover13Four on the Floor1989Buy on Amazon
Judas Priest book cover14Judas Priest1991Buy on Amazon
Desert Sinner book cover15Desert Sinner1992Buy on Amazon
Seed of Doubt book cover16Seed of Doubt1993Buy on Amazon
A Cardinal Offense book cover17A Cardinal Offense1994Buy on Amazon
The Tears of Things book cover18The Tears of Things1996Buy on Amazon
Grave Undertakings book cover19Grave Undertakings2000Buy on Amazon
Triple Pursuit book cover20Triple Pursuit2001Buy on Amazon
Prodigal Father book cover21Prodigal Father2002Buy on Amazon
Last Things book cover22Last Things2003Buy on Amazon
Requiem for a Realtor book cover23Requiem for a Realtor2004Buy on Amazon
Blood Ties book cover24Blood Ties2005Buy on Amazon
The Prudence of the Flesh book cover25The Prudence of the Flesh2006Buy on Amazon
The Widow's Mate book cover26The Widow's Mate2007Buy on Amazon
Ash Wednesday book cover27Ash Wednesday2008Buy on Amazon
The Wisdom of Father Dowling book cover28The Wisdom of Father Dowling2009Buy on Amazon
Stained Glass book cover29Stained Glass2009Buy on Amazon
The Compassion of Father Dowling book cover30The Compassion of Father Dowling2011Buy on Amazon
Publication Order of Father Dowling Young Adult Mystery Books
2 books
2
The Case of the Dead Winner book cover1The Case of the Dead Winner1995Buy on Amazon
The Case of the Constant Caller book cover2The Case of the Constant Caller1995Buy on Amazon

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many Father Dowling books are there?
There are 32 books in the Father Dowling collection, organised into 2 series and published between 1977 and 2011.
What is the first Father Dowling book?
The first book is Her Death of Cold, published in 1977.
What order should I read the Father Dowling books in?
Most readers use publication order, which is the order the books were originally released. A chronological order is also provided on this page for readers who prefer to follow the internal timeline of the story.
Who wrote the Father Dowling books?
The Father Dowling books were written by Ralph McInerny.
Is the Father Dowling series finished?
The main series, Publication Order of Father Dowling Books, has 30 books so far. The most recent title listed on this page gives the current end point of the series.
When did the Father Dowling series start?
The earliest title in this collection was published in 1977, and the most recent in 2011.