Deborah Crombie Books in Order
There is a special kind of British mystery that feels like a cup of strong tea on a rainy afternoon. It is smart, steady, and full of people you start to care about. Deborah Crombie writes that kind of book, and she has been doing it for more than 30 years. If you are looking for the Deborah Crombie books in order, you are about to meet two of the most beloved detectives in modern crime fiction.
Her series follows Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James of Scotland Yard. Over 19 books, they go from boss and sergeant to partners in every sense. This guide lists every book in order, explains why the order matters, and covers what is coming next.
Who Is Deborah Crombie?
Here is a fun twist. Deborah Crombie is not British. She is from Texas and still lives there. She fell in love with England on trips abroad, spent time living in Scotland and England, and set her mysteries in the UK. Her books are so rooted in British life that many readers assume she grew up in London.
She does careful research for every book, often traveling to the places she writes about. That attention to detail gives her settings, from London neighborhoods to the Cotswolds and the Scottish Highlands, a rich and lived-in feel.
Meet Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James
At the start of the series, Duncan Kincaid is a Detective Superintendent at Scotland Yard. Gemma James is his sergeant, a young single mother working hard to move up. They make a strong team, and the spark between them grows slowly over many books.
As the series goes on, their lives change in big ways. They face new jobs, new homes, children, and family crises. The murder cases drive each plot, but the real draw for longtime fans is watching Duncan and Gemma build a life together.
Deborah Crombie Books in Order
Here is the full Kincaid and James series by release date.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Share in Death | 1993 |
| 2 | All Shall Be Well | 1994 |
| 3 | Leave the Grave Green | 1995 |
| 4 | Mourn Not Your Dead | 1996 |
| 5 | Dreaming of the Bones | 1997 |
| 6 | Kissed a Sad Goodbye | 1999 |
| 7 | A Finer End | 2001 |
| 8 | And Justice There Is None | 2002 |
| 9 | Now May You Weep | 2003 |
| 10 | In a Dark House | 2004 |
| 11 | Water Like a Stone | 2007 |
| 12 | Where Memories Lie | 2008 |
| 13 | Necessary as Blood | 2009 |
| 14 | No Mark Upon Her | 2012 |
| 15 | The Sound of Broken Glass | 2013 |
| 16 | To Dwell in Darkness | 2014 |
| 17 | Garden of Lamentations | 2017 |
| 18 | A Bitter Feast | 2019 |
| 19 | A Killing of Innocents | 2023 |
| 20 | A Long Cold Sleep | April 13, 2027 |
A Quick Look at Key Books
You do not need a summary of all 19 books to start, but a few deserve special mention.
A Share in Death (1993)
The first book sends Kincaid on a holiday at a timeshare in Yorkshire. A fellow guest turns up dead, and his vacation becomes a case. Gemma plays a smaller role here, but the groundwork for the series is all in place.
Dreaming of the Bones (1997)
This is the book that made many readers fall for the series. It mixes a modern case with the life of a dead poet and digs into Kincaid’s past. It earned an Edgar Award nomination for Best Novel and still tops many fan rankings.
Water Like a Stone (2007)
Duncan and Gemma head to Cheshire for a family Christmas, and a body hidden in a barn wall turns a holiday into a murder case. It is a good example of how Crombie blends family life with crime.
Garden of Lamentations (2017)
This book picks up a long-running storyline about corruption inside the police force. It is one of the darker entries and sets up major changes for the series.
A Killing of Innocents (2023)
The most recent book. A young woman is stabbed in a London square, and the case pulls in both Gemma and Duncan. Fans waited four years for it after A Bitter Feast.
What We Know About A Long Cold Sleep (Book 20)
The 20th Kincaid and James novel is titled A Long Cold Sleep. It is set for release on April 13, 2027, and is already available for preorder.
Crombie turned in the manuscript in June 2026, and the book moved into production over the summer. She has also mentioned working on a proposal for book 21, so the series is far from over.
Do You Need to Read the Deborah Crombie Books in Order?
Yes, if you can. Each book solves its own crime, so you will never be lost on the case. But the personal stories of Duncan, Gemma, and their families run straight through the series. Reading out of order spoils big moments, like changes in their relationship, new family members, and long-running police storylines.
Here is a simple way to think about it:
- Books 1 to 5: The early years. Duncan and Gemma work together, and their relationship slowly shifts.
- Books 6 to 10: Their personal lives get more tangled, and family becomes a bigger theme.
- Books 11 to 16: They build a blended family while facing tougher cases.
- Books 17 to 19: A darker arc about corruption and loyalty, with high stakes for both of them.
The early books are a bit lighter and shorter. Crombie’s style grows richer as the series goes on, so don’t judge the whole series by book one.
Where Should You Start?
Start with A Share in Death. It is short, easy to read, and introduces Kincaid well. If it feels a little slow, push on to All Shall Be Well and Leave the Grave Green. Most fans agree the series finds its full rhythm by book three.
If you want to test her at her best before committing, jump to Dreaming of the Bones. Just know that it will spoil a few early relationship details.
Similar Authors You Might Enjoy
If you love the Deborah Crombie books in order and want more in the same vein, try these:
- Elizabeth George: The Inspector Lynley series, also written by an American and set in England.
- Martha Grimes: The Richard Jury books, with English pubs and clever puzzles.
- Louise Penny: The Inspector Gamache series, set in Quebec, with the same focus on character and community.
- Ann Cleeves: The Vera and Shetland series, with strong settings and slow-burn mysteries.
- Peter Robinson: The Inspector Banks books, set in Yorkshire.
Common Questions About Deborah Crombie Books in Order
How many Kincaid and James books are there? There are 19 published books as of October 2026, with the 20th coming in April 2027.
Has Deborah Crombie written anything outside the series? Nearly all of her work centers on Duncan and Gemma. A few short stories exist in anthologies, but the novels are the main event.
Are the books violent? Not very. They focus on investigation and character rather than graphic scenes, so they suit readers who like traditional mysteries.
Is there a TV adaptation? No series has been made so far, though fans often say the books would make a great British TV drama.
Why the long gaps between books? Crombie researches each book in depth and often travels to its setting. The gaps between recent books have run from two to four years.
Tips for Reading the Series
- Read the series in order. It is worth repeating, since the personal arcs are the heart of these books.
- Keep a map handy. Crombie writes about real places, and looking them up adds to the fun.
- Try the audiobooks. Strong British narrators bring out the setting and the characters.
- Pace yourself. With book 20 not out until 2027, there is plenty of time to catch up.
How Long Does It Take to Read the Series?
Most Kincaid and James books run between 300 and 450 pages. At one book every two weeks, you could finish all 19 in under a year, just in time for book 20. Many readers find that a steady pace works best, since it lets the characters’ lives unfold the way Crombie intended. If you follow the Deborah Crombie books in order at that pace, A Long Cold Sleep will land right as you finish A Killing of Innocents, and you will have the whole story fresh in your mind. That is the best way to enjoy the Deborah Crombie books in order.
Final Thoughts
The Deborah Crombie books in order trace Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James across 19 novels and more than three decades, with A Long Cold Sleep arriving in April 2027. Start with A Share in Death, read in order, and enjoy watching two good detectives become a family. Save this guide to the Deborah Crombie books in order so you are ready when book 20 lands.
Key Takeaways
- Deborah Crombie writes the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series, set in England and Scotland.
- There are 19 published books, from A Share in Death (1993) to A Killing of Innocents (2023).
- Book 20, A Long Cold Sleep, is set for April 13, 2027, and Crombie is already planning book 21.
- Crombie is from Texas, but her books are known for their detailed and authentic British settings.
- Dreaming of the Bones (1997) earned an Edgar nomination and is a fan favorite.
- Read the books in order, since Duncan and Gemma’s personal lives build across the series.
- A Share in Death is the best starting point, and the series hits its stride by book three.
- Fans of Elizabeth
