Ann Cleeves Books in Order
Ann Cleeves is one of Britain’s most loved crime writers. Her books gave the world two famous TV detectives: Jimmy Perez of Shetland and Vera Stanhope of Northumberland. She has written more than 35 novels over four decades, and her quiet, character-driven mysteries have won fans around the world.
With several series and a few big changes in recent years, it helps to have a clear guide. Here are the Ann Cleeves books in order, organized by series.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Author | Ann Cleeves |
| Born | 1954, Hereford, England |
| Best-known series | Vera Stanhope, Shetland, Two Rivers |
| TV adaptations | Vera (ITV), Shetland (BBC), The Long Call (ITV) |
| Latest book | The Dying Light (October 8, 2026) |
| Final Vera book | Expected October 2027 |
Who Is Ann Cleeves?
Ann Cleeves grew up in rural England and worked many jobs before writing full time, including as a cook at a bird observatory on Fair Isle in Shetland. That experience inspired her later Shetland books. She published her first novel in 1986.
Her big break came in 2006 when Raven Black, the first Shetland novel, won the Duncan Lawrie Dagger, then the world’s richest crime fiction prize. She has since received the Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger, its highest honor.
Ann Cleeves Shetland Series
The Ann Cleeves Shetland series follows Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez on the remote Shetland Islands off northern Scotland. The books are named after colors and elements, and the setting is a character in its own right.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raven Black | 2006 |
| 2 | White Nights | 2008 |
| 3 | Red Bones | 2009 |
| 4 | Blue Lightning | 2010 |
| 5 | Dead Water | 2013 |
| 6 | Thin Air | 2014 |
| 7 | Cold Earth | 2016 |
| 8 | Wild Fire | 2018 |
Wild Fire was billed as the last Shetland book. Then in 2025, Cleeves returned to Jimmy Perez in The Killing Stones.
The Killing Stones (2025)
The Killing Stones brings back Jimmy Perez after he leaves Shetland with his partner, Willow Reeves, and their baby. The story moves to Orkney, another group of Scottish islands. Cleeves describes it as a standalone novel, so fans of the Ann Cleeves Shetland series can treat it as a welcome epilogue.
Vera Stanhope Series
Vera Stanhope is a gruff, messy, brilliant detective in Northumberland. Brenda Blethyn played her in the long-running ITV series Vera.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Crow Trap | 1999 |
| 2 | Telling Tales | 2005 |
| 3 | Hidden Depths | 2007 |
| 4 | Silent Voices | 2011 |
| 5 | The Glass Room | 2012 |
| 6 | Harbour Street | 2014 |
| 7 | The Moth Catcher | 2015 |
| 8 | The Seagull | 2017 |
| 9 | The Darkest Evening | 2020 |
| 10 | The Rising Tide | 2022 |
| 11 | The Dark Wives | 2023 |
| 12 | The Final Vera | 2027 (expected) |
The Final Vera
Cleeves has confirmed there will be one more Vera novel after The Dark Wives. Pan Macmillan has said it will be the last in the series. Set in Whitley Bay, it’s expected in October 2027.
Two Rivers Series
The Two Rivers series follows Detective Inspector Matthew Venn in North Devon, where Cleeves grew up. The first book became the ITV drama The Long Call.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Long Call | 2019 |
| 2 | The Heron’s Cry | 2021 |
| 3 | The Raging Storm | 2023 |
| 4 | The Dying Light | 2026 |
The Dying Light (2026)
The Dying Light came out on October 8, 2026. Matthew Venn investigates the death of a young woman found in the swimming pool of a luxury holiday home in North Devon.
Ann Cleeves Books in Order of Publication (Main Series)
If you’d like to read across her three major series by release date, here’s the combined list.
| Year | Title | Series |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | The Crow Trap | Vera |
| 2005 | Telling Tales | Vera |
| 2006 | Raven Black | Shetland |
| 2007 | Hidden Depths | Vera |
| 2008 | White Nights | Shetland |
| 2009 | Red Bones | Shetland |
| 2010 | Blue Lightning | Shetland |
| 2011 | Silent Voices | Vera |
| 2012 | The Glass Room | Vera |
| 2013 | Dead Water | Shetland |
| 2014 | Thin Air | Shetland |
| 2014 | Harbour Street | Vera |
| 2015 | The Moth Catcher | Vera |
| 2016 | Cold Earth | Shetland |
| 2017 | The Seagull | Vera |
| 2018 | Wild Fire | Shetland |
| 2019 | The Long Call | Two Rivers |
| 2020 | The Darkest Evening | Vera |
| 2021 | The Heron’s Cry | Two Rivers |
| 2022 | The Rising Tide | Vera |
| 2023 | The Raging Storm | Two Rivers |
| 2023 | The Dark Wives | Vera |
| 2025 | The Killing Stones | Jimmy Perez |
| 2026 | The Dying Light | Two Rivers |
| 2027 | The Final Vera | Vera (expected) |
Early Series
Before her big series, Cleeves wrote two shorter series that are now harder to find:
- George and Molly Palmer-Jones: Eight mysteries featuring a birdwatching couple, starting with A Bird in the Hand (1986).
- Inspector Ramsay: Four mysteries set in Northumberland, starting with A Lesson in Dying (1990).
These early Ann Cleeves books show her growing as a writer and are fun for longtime fans.
Where Should You Start?
There’s no single right answer, but here are a few ideas:
- Start with Raven Black for the Ann Cleeves Shetland series and its atmospheric island setting.
- Start with The Crow Trap if you love Vera on TV.
- Start with The Long Call for her newest ongoing series.
Each series stands alone, so you can start with whichever detective appeals most.
The TV Shows
| Series | Network | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Vera | ITV | 2011 to 2025 |
| Shetland | BBC | 2013 onward |
| The Long Call | ITV | 2021 |
Shetland on TV went beyond the books after a few seasons, with original stories. Douglas Henshall played Jimmy Perez before Ashley Jensen took over the lead role as a new detective.
Why Readers Love Ann Cleeves
Cleeves writes mysteries that focus on people and places. Her detectives feel real, with flaws and quiet strengths. Her settings, from windswept Shetland to the Northumberland coast, add mood and depth. She builds tension at a steady pace, and her endings often surprise.
Tips for Reading Her Books
- Read each series in order. The detectives’ personal lives grow over time.
- Don’t skip Wild Fire before The Killing Stones. It sets up Perez’s new life.
- Try the audiobooks. The accents add to the atmosphere.
- Compare the books and the shows. The TV versions often change plots.
How to Use This Guide
There are two ways to read the Ann Cleeves books in order. You can read one series at a time, which is what most fans do. Or you can follow the combined publication list to see how her writing grew across series. Both approaches work, since each series is separate.
A Reading Plan
If you’re new, try this plan for the Ann Cleeves books in order:
- Read Raven Black to start the Shetland series.
- Read The Crow Trap to meet Vera.
- Pick the series you liked best and keep going.
- Save The Long Call for when you want something new.
How Many Books Has She Written?
Counting her early series, Ann Cleeves has written more than 35 novels. Her three main series make up most of her popular work. Fans who finish the Ann Cleeves books in order often turn to writers like Peter Robinson, Val McDermid, and Louise Penny.
Saying Goodbye to Vera
Cleeves has spoken about her mixed feelings as the Vera series ends. She’s said Vera has been part of her life for more than 25 years. The final book will close one of the longest-running detective series in British fiction, and fans reading the Ann Cleeves books in order will want to save it for last.
Final Thoughts
The Ann Cleeves books in order span four decades and three beloved detectives. From Jimmy Perez on Shetland to Vera Stanhope in Northumberland and Matthew Venn in Devon, her stories mix strong characters with powerful settings. With The Dying Light out in 2026 and the final Vera novel coming in 2027, there’s plenty to read.
Whichever series you pick, you’ll see why so many readers call her the queen of the modern British mystery.
Key Takeaways
- The Ann Cleeves books in order include three major series: Shetland, Vera Stanhope, and Two Rivers.
- The Ann Cleeves Shetland series has eight books, from Raven Black (2006) to Wild Fire (2018).
- The Killing Stones (2025) brings Jimmy Perez back in a standalone novel set in Orkney.
- The Vera series has 11 books, with a final Vera novel expected in October 2027.
- The Two Rivers series has four books, the latest being The Dying Light (October 8, 2026).
- Raven Black won the Duncan Lawrie Dagger, and Cleeves later earned the CWA Diamond Dagger.
- Each series can be read on its own, so start with the detective you like best.
