If you’ve ever picked up a Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James mystery, you know they aren’t just "police procedurals." Honestly, they’re more like catching up with old friends who just happen to find a lot of bodies. Deborah Crombie has this incredible knack for making London (and the English countryside) feel so vivid you can almost smell the damp pavement and the Earl Grey tea. But here’s the thing: because the characters’ lives—their kids, their promotions, their evolving romance—move forward in real-time, reading them out of sequence is a recipe for major spoilers.
Getting the deborah crombie books in order is the only way to experience the slow-burn payoff of Duncan and Gemma’s relationship. You start with two colleagues who have a bit of a spark and end up with a complicated, beautiful, messy family dynamic.
Starting at the Beginning: The 1990s Era
The series kicked off in 1993. It’s funny looking back now because the first book, A Share in Death, feels almost like a classic "country house" mystery. Duncan Kincaid goes to a luxury Yorkshire timeshare for some R&R and, naturally, someone ends up dead in the whirlpool. It’s a very traditional start.
By the second book, All Shall Be Well, things get deeper. It deals with assisted suicide and grief, showing early on that Crombie wasn't afraid of the "heavy" stuff. But the real game-changer? That’s Dreaming of the Bones. Ask any hardcore Crombie fan and they’ll tell you this is one of the best. It weaves together 1960s Cambridge poetry and a cold case, and it’s where Duncan’s past starts catching up with him in a big way.
- A Share in Death (1993)
- All Shall Be Well (1994)
- Leave the Grave Green (1995)
- Mourn Not Your Dead (1996)
- Dreaming of the Bones (1997)
- Kissed a Sad Goodbye (1999)
Evolution and Promotion: The 2000s Shift
As we moved into the 2000s, Gemma James really came into her own. She wasn't just Duncan’s sergeant anymore; she became an inspector. This changed the whole vibe. Suddenly, they were working different cases in different parts of London, and the domestic tension—trying to balance Scotland Yard careers with raising a family—became a core part of the narrative.
A Finer End takes us to Glastonbury, leaning into some cool Arthurian legends and mystical vibes. It’s a bit of a departure from the grit of London, but it works because the character work is so grounded. If you're a fan of atmospheric settings, this one is a peak for the series.
- A Finer End (2001)
- And Justice There Is None (2002)
- Now May You Weep (2003) – Pro tip: This one takes place in the Scottish Highlands and is incredibly atmospheric.
- In a Dark House (2005)
- Water Like a Stone (2007)
- Where Memories Lie (2008)
- Necessary as Blood (2009)
The Modern Era and the Big Cliffhangers
The books written after 2010 feel a bit tighter, a bit more intense. Crombie’s writing evolved alongside the technology her detectives use. No Mark Upon Her (2012) is a standout, focusing on the competitive world of rowing on the Thames.
Then we hit the "Lamentations" era. If you're binge-reading, be warned: To Dwell in Darkness and Garden of Lamentations are basically two halves of one massive story involving corruption at the highest levels of the Met. Reading these out of order would be a total disaster. You’d be so lost.
- No Mark Upon Her (2012)
- The Sound of Broken Glass (2013)
- To Dwell in Darkness (2014)
- Garden of Lamentations (2017)
- A Bitter Feast (2019)
- A Killing of Innocents (2023)
What's Happening in 2026?
As of right now, in early 2026, the most recent release is still A Killing of Innocents. It brought the action back to Notting Hill and felt like a return to the series' roots after some of the sprawling, conspiracy-heavy entries.
Deborah Crombie has confirmed she is working on the 20th novel. While there isn't a confirmed release date for Book 20 just yet, the anticipation in the mystery community is huge. We’ve been living with Duncan and Gemma for over thirty years now. That's a lot of history.
Why Order Matters for the "Kincaid-James" Universe
You could read a standalone like A Bitter Feast—which is basically a "foodie" mystery set in the Cotswolds—and enjoy the plot. But you’d miss the nuance of why Duncan is acting a certain way or who the kids are.
Basically, the mystery is the "hook," but the family is the "heart." Crombie manages to balance the procedural side (which is meticulously researched) with the emotional stakes.
How to tackle the backlist:
- The Completionist Route: Start with A Share in Death and just keep going. It’ll take you a few months, but the payoff is worth it.
- The "Greatest Hits" Route: If you’re impatient, read A Share in Death, jump to Dreaming of the Bones, then pick up with No Mark Upon Her.
- The Audio Route: The audiobooks are fantastic. The narrators generally nail the subtle differences between Duncan’s slight Scottish lilt and Gemma’s London accent.
To get started on your reading journey, grab a copy of A Share in Death from your local library or independent bookstore. If you’ve already finished the series, now is the perfect time for a re-read of the "Lamentations" arc (To Dwell in Darkness and Garden of Lamentations) to refresh your memory before the 20th book eventually hits the shelves.