In a similar style to Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ross brings to life suspenseful mysteries which unfold against a beautiful background of the English countryside. The LJ Ross books in order largely take place in Northumberland, where she grew up, and her rich understanding of the countryside creates for a beautiful setting.
Ross writes mystery thrillers that also contain romantic suspense. Her longest series began with her debut and follows DCI Ryan in a series of classic whodunnits. Her other books also contain the traditional themes of murder mysteries with dark humor.
Jump to:
- DCI Ryan Books in Order
- Dr. Alexander Gregory Books in Order
- Summer Suspense Mysteries Books
- LJ Ross Anthologies
- Who is LJ Ross?
DCI Ryan Books in Order
LJ Ross’s debut launched her career and began the DCI Ryan series. These LJ Ross books in order are police procedurals that take place across the North East of England in Northumbria with a few taking place further afield.
These books should be read in order of publication. While The Infirmary, the eleventh publication, is a prequel, it should not be read before you read at least the first five books and the character of DCI Ryan is established. Even Ross herself firmly recommends reading the books in publication order.
Ross has also written one DCI Ryan short story for the Durham Book Festival “Big Read” and it is currently exclusively available through that endeavor. However, Ross has said that following the festival she will make the short story more widely available to all readers. It is “The Mystery of the Vanishing Mayor.”
- Holy Island (2015)
- Sycamore Gap (2015)
- Heavenfield (2016)
- Angel (2016)
- High Force (2017)
- Cragside (2017)
- Dark Skies (2017)
- Seven Bridges (2018)
- The Hermitage (2018)
- Longstone (2018)
- The Infirmary (2019) (Prequel)
- The Moor (2019)
- Penshaw (2019)
- Borderlands (2019)
- Ryan’s Christmas (2019)
- The Shrine (2020)
- Cuthbert’s Way (2020)
- The Rock (2021)
- Bamburgh (2022)
- Lady’s Well (2023)
- Death Rocks (2024)
- Poison Garden (2024)
- Belsay (January 29, 2025)
- Berwick (February 26, 2026)
Dr. Alexander Gregory Books in Order
This next series on the list of LJ Ross books in order is about a forensic psychologist: Dr. Alexander Gregory. He has a reputation for being able to step inside the darkest minds to uncover whatever secrets lie hidden there.
The series begins with him being the only member of an elite criminal profiling unit to escape from a storm of scandal and mismanagement. He is adamant he will begin a quiet life, but a murderer loose in the beautiful hills of County Mayo, Ireland draws him into the murder investigation to aid the Garda.
Gregory galivants across the world in this series, from Ireland to France to New York City and more. In this series Ross’s writing is described as her usual murder and mystery peppered with dark humour.
- Impostor (2019)
- Hysteria (2019)
- Bedlam (2020)
- Mania (2020)
- Panic (2024)
- Amnesia (2024)
- Obsession (2026)
Summer Suspense Mysteries Books
One of the latest series from LJ Ross, the Summer Suspense Mysteries take place in the beautiful Cornish seaside. There will be a new publication each year.
It begins with the story of Gabrielle Adams who has escaped to rural Cornwall to run a tiny bookshop and escape the horror of her life after she survives an encounter with the “Underground Killer” waiting for the Tube to arrive one day. While she thinks the picturesque cove offers her the perfect escape, a new nightmare soon unfolds.
The second book in the series follows Kate Irving, who arrives in Frenchman’s Creek with a small suitcase and her young son. She is escaping her past and wary of accepting new friendships, but soon finds herself embracing their kindness. Until tragedy strikes and her new friends are looking to her for answers.
LJ Ross Anthologies
Finally, LJ Ross has also published an anthology of short stories from various authors with the intent to inspire hope and happiness. All proceeds from the sale of this book are donated to Shelter. This is a charity that helps people struggling with homelessness and poor housing throughout Great Britain.
Who is LJ Ross?
A self-publishing sensation, LJ Ross broke onto the scene relatively recently with her debut in 2015; however, she has quickly made a name for herself within the genres of mystery thriller, and romantic suspense.
Before she became an author Ross was a practicing lawyer in London. She grew up in Northumberland, England — where many of her books take place — and attended King’s College at the University of London for her undergraduate and postgraduate in law. She also studied in Paris and Florence.
However, she found herself dissatisfied after a decade working in law where every day was a battle and she longed for a change.
Previously, Ross had written short stories for her friends and family, but when the inspiration for Holy Island struck her, it was the first time she sat down to write a book. It became the first book in her DCI Ryan series. Ross did submit queries to traditional publishers and had responses in turn, but at the advice of her husband, also a lawyer, she chose to pursue self-publishing.
Her husband also has permanent recognition on every book cover in her choice of attribution as a tribute to his support. The second initial in LJ Ross stands for her husband James, while the first initial is for her first name, Louise.
Her debut became an instant international bestseller and twenty of her books have made it to the coveted #1 spot on the UK Amazon Bestsellers list. In 2020, Ross became the first self-published author to be short-listed for a British Book Award. Collectively, her books have sold more than seven million copies worldwide.
Looking for similar books in order?
If you want more thriller authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Thriller Books in Order index.
8 thoughts on “LJ Ross Books in Order: DCI Ryan Books & More”
Love all the books in the DC Ryan mysterys
Just waiting for The rock and bamburgh
But I see there is a 20 lady’s well ? I can not find it do you know why this is ?
LJ Ross appears to have pulled the book from publication. I’m not sure why. I’ll do some research later today and see if I can’t figure it out.
I have updated the article with an explanation as to the disappearance of Lady’s Well. The short explanation is that illness has impacted her release schedule. She still plans to release it, but hasn’t said when.
I need to know when new dci ryan books are released
Will there be a book 21 in the DCI Ryan books? I have just finished reading Lady’s Well which completes all 20.
I have just read DCI Ryan one after the other and just could not pur them down. Is there a 21st book coming out.
Great books will there be more … please
Probably? Though based on the most recent release of Lady’s Well being delayed due to some health issues, I’m not sure when we can expect the next DCI Ryan book. I’ll update this list as soon as we know more.