Anne Perry was a critically acclaimed British author who was most famous for her detective fiction and suspense novels.
Perry began her writing career back in 1979 with the publication of her debut novel, The Cater Street Hangman. By the early 1990s, she’d made a name for herself as a master of murder mysteries, and millions of readers had read and adored her work.
But in 1994, Perry’s true identity as Juliet Hulme, a convicted murderer, was revealed. In 1954, while growing up in New Zealand, she and her classmate Pauline Parker murdered Pauline’s mother. She was just 15 years old at the time, and after a sensational trial, she was sent to prison for five years.
After serving her time, she changed her name and moved back to her native land, the UK, hoping to put her dark past behind her. And that’s exactly what she did.
For almost thirty-five years, she lived as Anne Perry, a successful novelist making a name for herself in the literary world. But when the blockbuster movie Heavenly Creatures, starring Kate Winslet as Hulme (Perry), was released, attention to the historic case resurfaced. And it wasn’t long before journalists tracked her down and revealed her identity to the world.
But throughout the media firestorm that followed, Perry continued to write, and her book sales began to skyrocket. In 1998, she made The Times’ list of 100 “masters of crime,” her name listed alongside greats such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. And a decade later, she received an Agatha Lifetime Achievement Award for her services to mystery fiction.
Anne Perry died in April 2023 but left an incredible legacy behind. She authored more than 120 novels throughout her career, and her books have sold more than twenty-six million copies worldwide.
Perry’s work is considered some of the finest in the murder mystery and suspense genres.
So, if you’re looking for a gripping new novel or series to enjoy this year, I highly recommend you give her books a try.
Anne Perry’s Books in Order
Anne Perry wrote multiple series and standalone titles during her lifetime, and knowing where to begin isn’t easy. So, in this post, I’ll give you a full list of every book the author wrote so that you can start your reading journey immediately.
| Sr. No. | Title | Publication Date | Print Length | Publisher | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Cater Street Hangman | January 1, 1979 | 247 pages | St Martins Pr | Amazon |
| 2 | The Face of a Stranger | January 1, 1990 | 352 pages | NY : Fawcett Columbine (1990) | Amazon |
| 3 | Tathea | August 27, 2002 | 528 pages | Ace Trade | Amazon |
| 4 | Death in Focus | September 17, 2019 | 320 pages | Ballantine Books | Amazon |
| 5 | A Christmas Journey | November 18, 2003 | 192 pages | Ballantine Books | Amazon |
| 6 | No Graves As Yet | July 26, 2005 | 384 pages | Ballantine Books | Amazon |
| 7 | Tudor Rose | January 1, 2011 | 64 pages | Barrington Stoke | Amazon |
| 8 | Twenty-One Days | April 10, 2018 | 320 pages | Ballantine Books | Amazon |
The Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Books
Anne Perry’s most famous series takes us back to Victorian-era London, where we meet police inspector Thomas Pitt and his wife, Charlotte.
These historical mystery thrillers follow the ups and downs of the criminal investigation world as Thomas, with the help of his well-connected wife, attempts to bring justice to the smog-filled streets of London.
The Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each book in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series tells a new story, so they can be read as standalone. That being said, the characters and their lives evolve and intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, follow the publication order listed below.
1. The Cater Street Hangman (1979)
Charlotte and Emily Ellison’s maid has been brutally murdered. And so, shocked at the terrible crime, the sisters call in young inspector Thomas Pitt to investigate.
But Charlotte and Emily are no ordinary high-society ladies. They’re unconventional, brave, and determined to help Pitt with his investigations. Yet as the case gets underway, Charlotte and Inspector Thomas discover they have more than murder on their minds.
- Callander Square (1980)
- Paragon Walk (1981)
- Resurrection Row (1981)
- Rutland Place (1983)
- Bluegate Fields (1984)
- Death in the Devil’s Acre (1985)
- Cardington Crescent (1987)
- Silence in Hanover Close (1988)
- Bethlehem Road (1990)
- Highgate Rise (1991)
- Belgrave Square (1992)
- Farriers’ Lane (1993)
- The Hyde Park Headsman (1994)
- Traitors’ Gate (1995)
- Pentecost Alley (1996)
- Ashworth Hall (1997)
- Brunswick Gardens (1998)
- Bedford Square (1998)
- Half Moon Street (1998)
- The Whitechapel Conspiracy (2001)
- Southampton Row (2002)
- Seven Dials (2003)
- Long Spoon Lane (2005)
- Buckingham Palace Gardens (2008)
- Betrayal at Lisson Grove (2010)
- Dorchester Terrace (2011)
- Midnight at Marble Arch (2012)
- Death on Blackheath (2014)
- The Angel Court Affair (2015)
- Treachery at Lancaster Gate (2015)
- Murder on the Serpentine (2016)
The William Monk Books
This gripping mystery series takes us back to Victorian England, where we meet detective William Monk.
Monk’s crime-fighting career began in the police force, where he worked as a ruthlessly ambitious inspector for many years. But at the start of the series, Monk is involved in a coach accident, and his memories are erased.
In the aftermath of his amnesia, Monk loses his job as a police inspector, and so, he decides to go solo as a private investigator. But ultimately, the beat is where he belongs, and in later installments of the series, he joins the Thames River Police.
The William Monk Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each book in the William Monk series tells a new story, so they can be read as standalones. That being said, the characters and their lives evolve and intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, follow the publication order listed below.
1. The Face of a Stranger (1990)
His name is William Monk, and he has a high-flying career as a London police detective. But keeping that career won’t be easy when suddenly, his colleagues are strangers, and everything he’s ever learned has vanished from his mind.
The Monk has woken up battered and bruised, and his entire life’s memories have been erased. And now, he has no choice but to solve the mystery of his own past and play the role of himself.
For his first case back on the job, he must uncover the truth behind the mysterious murder of a Crimean War veteran. But can he convince his colleagues that he’s up to the task?
- A Dangerous Mourning (1991)
- Defend and Betray (1992)
- A Sudden, Fearful Death (1993)
- The Sins of the Wolf (1994)
- Cain His Brother (1995)
- Weighed in the Balance (1996)
- The Silent Cry (1997)
- The Whited Sepulchres (1997)
- The Twisted Root (1999)
- Slaves of Obsession (2000)
- A Funeral in Blue (2001)
- Death of a Stranger (2002)
- The Shifting Tide (2004)
- Dark Assassin (2006)
- Execution Dock (2009)
- Acceptable Loss (2011)
- A Sunless Sea (2012)
- Blind Justice (2013)
- Blood on the Water (2014)
- Corridors of the Night (2015)
- Revenge in a Cold River (2016)
- An Echo of Murder (2017)
- Dark Tide Rising (2018)
The Tathea Books
This two-part science fiction fantasy series is a departure from Anne Perry’s usual mystery reads. Instead of a classic whodunit, it tells the captivating story of an Empress named Tathea who is on an unforgettable journey toward self-awakening.
The Tathea Books in Reading and Publication Order
The two books in the Tathea series can be read as standalone. However, Tathea’s story evolves across both books, so to get the most out of the series, follow the publication order listed below.
1. Tathea (1999)
Tathea, Empress of Sihinabar, has been exiled from her own kingdom. Her people have turned against her, and now she has no choice but to flee to the wild lands of the deserts.
But as she travels across the kingdom, searching for safety and shelter, she discovers an ancient text that could change the course of history and her future forever.
The Elena Standish Books
In 2019, Anne Perry began a new historical mystery series starring twenty-eight-year-old Elena Standish.
After enduring the horrors of World War I, Elena has finally found solace and comfort in her camera. But as the rumblings of a new war approach, this budding young photographer and her family will have to learn to endure conflict all over again.
The Elena Standish Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each book in the Elena Standish series tells a new story; however, the characters and their lives evolve and intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, follow the publication order listed below.
1. Death in Focus (2019)
Elena and her sister have temporarily swapped their usual London surroundings for the glittering Italian coast. She’s captivated by the breathtaking scenery and equally fascinated by a young man named Ian. She’s so obsessed that when he’s unexpectedly called back to England, she makes the uncharacteristically spontaneous decision to join him on the long train ride home.
But their journey doesn’t go as planned, and a shocking series of events sends Elena to Berlin to deliver a message that could change the fate of the entire continent.
- A Question of Betrayal (2020)
- A Darker Reality (2021)
- A Truth to Lie For (2022)
- The Traitor Among Us (due to be published in September 2023)
The Christmas Stories
This long-running collection of Christmas novellas features familiar characters from Anne Perry’s most beloved series. It places them at the center of page-turning, holiday-themed murder mysteries.
The Christmas Stories in Reading and Publication Order
Each Christmas Story novella tells a different tale and features a new set of characters. So, you can read them in any order you choose.
1. A Christmas Journey (2003)
Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould has joined her well-bred high society pals in the Berkshire countryside to enjoy a weekend of festive revelry and cheer.
But darkness is afoot among a backdrop of roaring fires, fancy gifts, and free-flowing fine wine. And when a young woman turns up dead, their Christmas spirit is shattered into smithereens.
- A Christmas Visitor (2004)
- A Christmas Guest (2005)
- A Christmas Secret (2006)
- A Christmas Beginning (2007)
- A Christmas Grace (2008)
- A Christmas Promise (2009)
- A Christmas Odyssey (2010)
- A Christmas Homecoming (2011)
- A Christmas Garland (2012)
- A Christmas Hope (2013)
- A New York Christmas (2014)
- A Christmas Escape (2015)
- A Christmas Message (2016)
- A Christmas Return (2017)
- A Christmas Revelation (2018)
- A Christmas Gathering (2019)
- A Christmas Resolution (2020)
- A Christmas Legacy (2021)
- A Christmas Deliverance (2022)
The World War I Books
These popular historical mystery novels follow the story of Joseph Reavely and his family as they endure the hardships of the First World War. Beginning in the golden summer of 1914, before the bloodshed began, and concluding four long and violent years later, the series is a breathtaking journey into the past, where fact and fiction collide.
The World War I Books in Reading and Publication Order
The World War I books are interconnected. So, to get the most out of the series, follow the publication order listed below.
1. No Graves As Yet (2003)
It was late June 1914, and Joseph Reavley’s parents had been killed in a car accident. But details soon emerge to suggest the tragedy was no accident.
Joseph’s father was en route to London, wielding a document that had the power to destroy Britain and the Western world. But someone out there stopped him in his tracks.
- Shoulder the Sky (2004)
- Angels in the Gloom (2005)
- At Some Disputed Barricade (2006)
- We Shall Not Sleep (2007)
The Timepiece Books
In 2011, Anne Perry embarked on her first and only series for young adults. The Timepiece books are a collection of gripping historical fiction stories starring a young woman who finds an antique watch that allows her to travel back in time.
The Timepiece Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each book in the Timepiece series tells a new story so that they can be read as standalones. It is said that the characters and their lives evolve and intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to follow the publication order listed below.
1. Tudor Rose (2011)
Rosie is deeply dissatisfied with her life, but when a mysterious old watch transports her back to the court of Elizabeth Ist, all of that changes. Suddenly, she’s in the heart of an ancient adventure, and as the Spanish Armada approaches, she must do everything possible to protect the Queen.
The Daniel Pitt Books
This page-turning historical mystery series is a spin-off to the hugely popular Charlotte and Thomas Pitt saga. But this time, Perry brings this crime-solving family into the 20th century as we follow the adventures of Daniel, Detective Thomas Pitt’s son.
The Daniel Pitt Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each book in the Daniel Pitt series tells a new story so that they can be read as standalones. That being said, the characters and their lives evolve and intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to follow the publication order listed below.
1. Twenty-One Days (2017)
The year is 1910, and new barrister Daniel Pitt is partway through his first case when he’s called to the Old Bailey to defend a man charged with murder.
Russell Graves stands accused of the brutal killing of his wife, and the jury quickly finds him guilty. But Daniel knows there’s more to the crime than meets the eye. Graves has been framed, and now, Daniel must expose the truth.
But the clock is ticking, and he has just twenty-one days to save an innocent man from execution.
- Triple Jeopardy (2018)
- One Fatal Flaw (2019)
- Death with a Double Edge (2020)
- Three Debts Paid (2022)
- The Fourth Enemy (2023) (Perry’s final novel)
Anne Perry’s Standalone Novels
Anne Perry penned several popular standalone novels alongside her popular series listed above. Here they are in the order they were originally published.
- Fashionable Funeral (1992)
- A Dish Taken Cold (1999)
- The One Thing More (2000)
- Naked Came the Phoenix (2001)
- I’d Kill for That (2004)
- Heroes (2007)
- The Sheen on the Silk (2010)
Conclusion
Anne Perry is a controversial writer whose gripping mystery and suspense novels have left a lasting impression on the literary world.
Are you already a fan of Perry’s books? If so, I’d love to hear your reviews and recommendations. Drop me a comment in the box below!