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The LJ Ross DCI Ryan series is best enjoyed in publication order, beginning with Holy Island (2015) and continuing through more than twenty entries, including a prequel that the author suggests can be slotted after a certain point.
In this guide you’ll find full publication order, any known chronological quirks, the recommended reading path, a master list of all relevant titles, the status of the series, and FAQs.
Publication Order
Below is the publication order for the DCI Ryan Mysteries by LJ Ross, along with blurbs to give context (without major spoilers). The list includes the core entries and the prequel as commonly placed by readers.
| # | Title | Year | Notes / Blurb |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holy Island | 2015 | DCI Ryan returns to Lindisfarne and is drawn into a local murder investigation. |
| 2 | Sycamore Gap | 2015 | A body found on Hadrian’s Wall pulls Ryan into a harsh landscape and hidden motives. |
| 3 | Heavenfield | 2016 | A case in rural Northumberland tests loyalty, secrets, and small‑town tension. |
| 4 | Angel | 2016 | The “Angel of the North” motif weaves with murder, symbolism, and emotional stakes. |
| 5 | High Force | 2017 | A dangerous terrain near a waterfall hides violence and unexpected connections. |
| 6 | Cragside | 2017 | Remote settings and past entanglements collide in an atmospheric mystery. |
| 7 | Dark Skies | 2017 | A foreboding woodland case that challenges Ryan’s resolve and hometown ties. |
| 8 | Seven Bridges | 2018 | A multi‑bridge area becomes a stage for concealed relationships and crimes. |
| 9 | The Hermitage | 2018 | Ryan pursues a mysterious figure across different settings, from coast to countryside. |
| 10 | Longstone | 2018 | Islands and isolation figure into the tension of this seaside investigation. |
| 11 | The Infirmary | 2019 | Prequel entry — explores an earlier case in Newcastle; often read after book 5. |
| 12 | The Moor | 2019 | A bleak moorland crime triggers local gossip, danger, and investigation. |
| 13 | Penshaw | 2019 | Media, public pressure, and buried secrets add complexity to a seeming crime. |
| 14 | Borderlands | 2019 | The boundary between jurisdictions brings cross‑border crime and suspicion. |
| 15 | Ryan’s Christmas | 2019 | A seasonal special with festive tension, family strains, and crime. |
| 16 | The Shrine | 2020 | A religious site becomes the setting of symbolic crimes and threats. |
| 17 | Cuthbert’s Way | 2020 | A footpath and pilgrimage background blends with local dynamics. |
| 18 | The Rock | 2021 | Cliffside edges and dangerous terrain complement a tense investigation. |
| 19 | Bamburgh | 2022 | A historic castle town and coastal setting frame mystery and heritage. |
| 20 | Lady’s Well | 2023 | An ancient well, legend, and modern crime link up in this entry. |
| 21 | Death Rocks | 2024 | A case involving ancient stones, hidden histories, and fresh tragedy. |
| 22 | Poison Garden | 2024 | Toxic plants, botanical intrigue, and murders bring a botanical twist. |
| 23 | Belsay | 2025 | The most recent title, set around Belsay’s landscape, castle, and community. |
The author’s official comprehensive list confirms this ordering, and designates The Infirmary as a prequel that may be slotted after Book 5 depending on reader preference.
Chronological Order (In‑Series Timeline)
Because The Infirmary is a prequel, the in‑series chronological order differs slightly from publication order. The internal timeline is mostly linear for the core series, but The Infirmary predates certain events in Ryan’s career.
Thus, the chronological (in‑universe) order is:
- Holy Island
- Sycamore Gap
- Heavenfield
- Angel
- High Force
- Cragside
- Dark Skies
- Seven Bridges
- The Hermitage
- Longstone
- The Infirmary (prequel slot here)
- The Moor
- Penshaw
- Borderlands
- Ryan’s Christmas
- The Shrine
- Cuthbert’s Way
- The Rock
- Bamburgh
- Lady’s Well
- Death Rocks
- Poison Garden
- Belsay
Because most of the events build on prior installments, inserting The Infirmary after Book 5 preserves the emotional and chronological integrity.
Recommended Reading Order
What does “recommended order” mean?
It’s the path readers generally agree brings the best flow, suspense, and clarity, minimizing spoilers and confusion.
Recommendation: Read in publication order, inserting The Infirmary after Book 5 (if desired).
Why this path is advised:
- Publication order aligns with how the author released the series and how suspense, character development, and mystery arcs evolved.
- Many fans prefer reading The Infirmary after Book 5, so the prequel’s revelations don’t spoil later books prematurely.
- The series maintains continuity across entries, so reading in release sequence preserves the unfolding of backstory, relationships, and local atmosphere.
So the ideal route is:
- Start with Holy Island
- Continue sequentially to High Force (or through book 5)
- Then optionally insert The Infirmary
- Then continue through Belsay (or latest)
This path gives newcomers and longtime fans a coherent, suspenseful reading experience.
Complete Book Series List
Below is the full listing of the DCI Ryan Mysteries as of 2025, including the prequel:
Holy Island
Sycamore Gap
Heavenfield
Angel
High Force
Cragside
Dark Skies
Seven Bridges
The Hermitage
Longstone
The Infirmary (prequel)
The Moor
Penshaw
Borderlands
Ryan’s Christmas
The Shrine
Cuthbert’s Way
The Rock
Bamburgh
Lady’s Well
Death Rocks
Poison Garden
Belsay
This list captures the entire published run of the DCI Ryan series (as of 2025).
Latest Release / Ongoing Status
The newest entry is Belsay (2025). The DCI Ryan series is active and ongoing, with no indication from LJ Ross that it is concluded. The rapid pace of releases—often multiple per year—suggests more installments are likely in the near future.
FAQs
Here are frequently asked questions about the LJ Ross DCI Ryan series:
How many books are in the DCI Ryan series?
As of 2025, there are 23 core entries (including the prequel The Infirmary).
Is the DCI Ryan series finished?
No. The series is ongoing; new books are still being released.
What order should I read the DCI Ryan books?
It is recommended to read in publication order, placing The Infirmary after Book 5 if you include the prequel.
Will The Infirmary spoil future books?
If read too early, yes. That is why many readers prefer inserting it after Book 5 to preserve tension.
Are there any spin‑offs or other series by LJ Ross to read afterward?
Yes. LJ Ross also writes the Alexander Gregory thriller series and Summer Suspense Mysteries, which are separate from the DCI Ryan world.
Suggested Related Series
Fans of atmospheric regional crime and long‑running detective sagas might enjoy:
- The Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta novels
- The Kate Rhodes crime series
These share attention to procedural detail, evolving protagonists, and immersive local settings.