Martha Grimes Books In Order (Mystery Sequels)

Martha Grimes is a popular author of detective fiction. Her series which features the character Richard Jury has become a favorite for mystery readers worldwide.

The Richard Jury series has books going all the way back to the 1980s, with readers eager to experience new stories ever since.

With 25 entries in the series, all with unique plots and mysteries, you’re probably wondering what the best order to read them in is. If you find yourself encountering this problem, then you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, I’m going to take you through each novel and explain the best reading order to enjoy the Richard Jury series. I’ve also included some pros and cons for each entry so that you can decide which to pick up, and which are skippable!

About Martha Grimes

Martha Grimes is a renowned American author known for her crime fiction novels, many of which feature Detective Richard Jury.

Grimes published her first novel, The Man with a Load of Mischief, in 1981, which introduced readers to the character of Richard Jury.

Over the years, she has written over 30 books in the series, each featuring a new mystery for Jury to solve. Her novels are known for their intricate plots, vivid descriptions of settings, and quirky characters.

In addition to the Richard Jury series, Grimes has also written several standalone novels and a memoir. Her memoir, “Double Double,” details her struggle with alcoholism and her road to recovery.

Martha Grimes Books In Order

The Man With A Load Of Mischief (1981)

In the first story featuring Richard Jury, the reader experiences Jury’s investigations of multiple murders at a country pub. This book features a series of quirky characters with a thrilling mystery at its center.

Pros

• A great introduction to the writing style of Martha Grimes.

Cons

• Not the highest stakes when it comes to mystery.

The Old Fox Deceiv’d (1982)

In the second book of the Richard Jury series, Detective Jury is investigating the murder of a wealthy businessman when he is sidetracked by a series of art thefts.

As he delves into the case, he discovers that the two crimes are connected and uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal.

Pros

• The intricate plot keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Cons

• The large cast of characters can be confusing.

The Anodyne Necklace (1983)

When a young woman is found murdered in a London park, Detective Richard Jury is called in to investigate. The victim’s identity is unknown, and as Jury and his team search for clues, they uncover a tangled web of secrets and lies.

Pros

• The mystery is engaging, and the descriptions of London are vivid and atmospheric.

Cons

• A slower burn compared to other novels.

The Dirty Duck (1984)

When a wealthy businessman is found dead in a pub called The Dirty Duck, Detective Richard Jury is called in to investigate. As he delves into the case, he discovers a web of secrets and lies that lead him to the heart of a conspiracy.

Pros

• The setting of the English countryside is charming, and the mystery is interesting.

Cons

• Similar to the first novel in the series.

Jerusalem Inn (1984)

Detective Richard Jury is on vacation in the Cornish village of Jerusalem Inn when a local solicitor is found dead. Jury is called in to investigate, and as he delves into the case, he discovers that the victim had many enemies.

Pros

• Another country setting with an intense mystery.

Cons

• One of the darker stories in the series.

Help The Poor Struggler (1985)

When a young girl is found dead in a churchyard, Detective Richard Jury is called in to investigate. As he delves into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies that lead him to the heart of a long-unsolved mystery.

Pros

• One of the most elaborate mysteries in the series.

Cons

• Less quirky than other novels.

The Deer Leap (1985)

When a woman is found murdered on a horseback riding trail, Detective Richard Jury is called in to investigate.

As he delves into the case, he discovers that the victim had many secrets and that someone will stop at nothing to keep them hidden.

Pros

• Descriptions of horseback riding and the English countryside make a unique setting.

Cons

• Lacks some of the atmospheres of other novels.

I Am The Only Running Footman (1986)

Features the death of two different young women, with striking similarities. From here, Scotland Yard’s Richard Jury draws a connection and finds a thrilling web of mysteries.

Pros

• Two different settings.

Cons

• A less concise mystery to uncover.

The Five Bells And Bladebone (1987)

A thrilling case is spawned when dealer Marshall Trueblood discovers a corpse stuffed inside an antique desk he has purchased. Richard Jury attempts to solve this one in the ninth entry of the series.

Pros

• A thrilling mystery involving antiques.

Cons

• One of the more grizzly entries.

The Old Silent (1989)

This one sees Richard Jury taking on an unofficial case, after witnessing a murder during his winter break.

Pros

• Gorgeous descriptions of the Yorkshire Moors.

Cons

• Similar to other books in the series.

The Old Contemptibles (1991)

This entry sees Richard Jury becoming a suspect in a murder investigation. In order to clear his name, he sends Melrose plant to research the history of the victim’s family.

Pros

• Richard Jury features less heavily in this one, which is a nice break.

Cons

• Breaks from the classic formula which may be jarring for some readers.

The Horse You Came In On (1993)

When a young woman is found dead in a Baltimore bar, Detective Richard Jury is called in to investigate. As he delves into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies that lead him to the heart of a long-unsolved mystery.

Pros

• A new setting that takes Jury to America.

Cons

• The plot isn’t as tight as others in the series.

Rainbow’s End (1995)

This is one of the most noted entries in the series and sees Jury chasing after a series of murders that lead him to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Pros

• A unique mystery.

Cons

• A much longer book than some others.

The Case Has Altered (1997)

This one sees Melrose Plant impersonating an antique expert, while Jury investigates a murder in Lincolnshire.

Pros

• Features the setting of the Lincolnshire fens.

Cons

• Can feel similar to other entries in the series.

The Stargazey (1998)

Another London-based mystery that sees Jury and Plant on the trail of a violent killer that they believe is responsible for two killings.

Pros

• Back to the familiar setting of London.

Cons

• Not the most interesting mystery of the bunch.

The Lamorna Wink (1999)

This mystery sees the detectives trying to solve the gruesome murder of multiple children.

Pros

• One of the most intriguing mysteries of the series.

Cons

• Could be too dark for some readers.

The Blue Last (2001)

The Last Blue involves a mystery around an imposter and two skeletons. If you’re looking for a unique mystery then this is a great choice.

Pros

• A mystery featuring imposters and identity.

Cons

• Includes a slow-burn mystery.

The Grave Maurice (2002)

Grimes’ second novel of the 2000s involves Jury being called to research the murder of a racehorse trailer.

Pros

• One of the most well-crafted cases in the series.

Cons

• The setting of the horse-racing world might not be for everyone.

The Winds Of Change (2004)

Jury’s 19th case involves another set of connecting murders. See how Grimes binds these together in this thrilling mystery.

Pros

• A well-written combination of two incidents.

Cons

• A familiar plot to some of the others in this series.

The Old Wine Shades (2006)

A conversation between Jury and a stranger in a London pub creates a web of mysteries that unfold as the novel progresses.

Pros

• An intriguing premise that keeps you hooked.

Cons

• Features more challenging themes than others.

Dust (2007)

This mystery involves the dark world of trendy galleries and hotels, as Jury delves into the death of a wealthy bachelor.

Pros

• Upper-class setting and mystery make for a thrilling change.

Cons

• Lacks some of the rural charm of earlier novels.

The Black Cat (2010)

The first novel back after a 3-year break sees Richard Jury trying to return to form after the death of his lover.

Pros

• A mystery wrapped in character development.

Cons

• Lacks the tight, episodic nature of earlier entries.

Vertigo 42 (2014)

This one is a clever mystery that blends a classic whodunit with literary references to create a page-turning novel that will keep you hooked.

Pros

• A rich novel that adds depth to Grimes’ usual style.

Cons

• Some of the deeper themes might not be loved by all fans.

The Knowledge (2018)

Another mystery that includes a winding plot involving a double murder and a cab driver. This is a great choice if you want to see the mastery of Grimes’ suspense writing.

Pros

• A winding story with lots of twists and turns.

Cons

• Set in London again for a familiar setting.

The Old Success (2019)

In the final novel of the series, Grimes investigates the death of a tourist who washes up on the shores of the Cornish coast. This final novel includes a classic blend of character and style.

Pros

• A classic Jury mystery.

Cons

• Lacks some of the complexity of recent novels.

Final Thoughts

So that was my list of the Richard Jury novels in order. You can generally choose to read them in publication order, but since they have been written in an episodic format, you can choose to read them out of order too.

I hope that this guide has helped you to select your next mystery read!

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