Deborah Crombie Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Deborah Crombie books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

Deborah Crombie’s books make you feel like you’re inside the story. Her crime novels are set in England, full of detail and real people. When you turn the page you can almost hear the noise of London or smell the rain in the streets.

Although her books are set in the UK, Deborah’s story starts in Texas. She was born in Dallas and grew up in the nearby town of Richardson. As a kid she spent time in the Texas sun but her mind was always elsewhere. Her grandmother, a retired teacher, taught her to read when she was four. That early love of books stayed with her.

Deborah didn’t follow the usual path. She left high school at sixteen which some might think was the end of the road. But for her it was just the beginning. She went back to school and finished a biology degree at Austin College. No one could have guessed she’d become a bestselling author.

After college she worked in advertising and newspapers. She also studied publishing at Rice University. But the real turning point came when she visited the UK after university. She fell in love with the country – the people, the history and the landscapes. That trip changed her life.

Her trip to Yorkshire gave her the idea for her first novel A Share in Death. It introduced two detectives – Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. These characters became the centre of a long running crime series. That first book was nominated for two awards in 1993 and that was just the start.

Over time her books became more popular. Her fifth book Dreaming of the Bones won an award and was one of the best crime novels of the 20th century. Her books are especially loved in Germany but fans all over the world enjoy her writing style and the sense of place in her books.

She’s kept winning awards. Where Memories Lie won in 2009 and Necessary as Blood was nominated the following year. Her books have been translated into many languages and are read in Europe, Asia and beyond.

What makes Deborah’s books stand out is that her characters feel so real. They’re not just solving crimes – they’re living their own lives too. That mix of mystery and emotion is what keeps you coming back.She has also written with other authors and a group project called The Sunken Sailor where each author wrote a chapter. She has spoken at Oxford University and her old college and in 2003 was a Distinguished Alumna.

Deborah lives in McKinney, Texas with her husband, three dogs and three cats. She still travels to England often and stays close to the place that inspires her writing. In her free time she gardens, cooks, bird watches, reads and relaxes with her pets.

Even after all her success what drives Deborah is simple – she loves to tell stories. She’s working on book seventeen in the Kincaid and James series and her fans can’t wait to get their hands on it. Her books don’t just entertain – they stay with you after you finish.

Deborah isn’t just a writer. She’s someone who knows how to tell a story that feels real – and that’s what readers will always remember.