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Best police procedural books to add to your reading list
Do you love a police procedural? You know, the sort of story that revolves around a police department solving a cold case or hunting down a serial killer. These are some of the most immersive thrillers, pulling you into an investigation and putting your own crime-solving abilities to the test.
If you enjoyed shows like Shetland or Line of Duty, you’ll probably love books by Michael Connelly, Jo Nesbo and Ann Cleeves, to name a few. There are so many brilliant police procedurals – both classic titles and new releases. We’ve rounded up the best below.
Best police procedural books
The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee
The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee
Calcutta, 1923. Two officers of the Imperial Police Force have a timely case on their hands: a Hindu theologian has been murdered in his home, pushing the city to the brink of a religious war. The Shadows of Men is the latest in the hugely popular Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee series, and sees the duo take on an unprecedented challenge. But will this be the case that drives them apart?
The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman
The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman
In a Bel Air mansion, two people are found dead in the swimming pool: a rich playboy heir, and his wealthy married lover. There are no signs of a forced entry and no forensic evidence, leading LAPD homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis to ask psychologist Alex Delaware for his perspective. Together, they discover the sordid pasts of the victims, that takes their investigation to the dark underbelly of Los Angeles.
Desert Star by Michael Connelly
Desert Star by Michael Connelly
Detective Renée Ballard has been tasked with reviving the LAPD’s cold case unit. Her first case is solving the murder of the city councilman’s sister, who died years earlier. She recruits legendary investigator Harry Bosch to help with the search, but he has his own agenda: he wants to use the LAPD’s resources to track down the man responsible for an entire family’s murder. As the investigators’ priorities clash, and they close in on the dangerous people at large, Desert Star ramps up the tension, reaching an unforgettable conclusion.
She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge
She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge
In 1983, a group of seven teenagers went camping in the forest. The next morning, only six walked out; Aurora, the youngest of the group, had disappeared. Now, 30 years later, her body has been found in an enclave only known to the group. DCI Jonah Sheens has a personal attachment to the case, and he won’t stop until he figures out who in the group is lying, and who is responsible for Aurora’s murder. She Lies in Wait is a brilliant police procedural, taking you into the heart of the investigation as DCI Sheens and the team slowly unravel what happened all those years ago.
Killing Moon by Jo Nesbo
The Killing Moon by Jo Nesbo
A serial killer is loose on the streets of Oslo, killing women with a distinctive – and disturbing – MO. Rogue investigator Harry Hole is on the case, battling his inner demons and trying to anticipate the killer’s next move. But when the woman who saved his life is put in danger, the stakes are even higher – and Harry is in a race against time to find the killer before they strike again. Killing Moon is the latest Harry Hole thriller from bestselling crime author Jo Nesbo.
The Business of Dying by Simon Kernick
The Business of Dying by Simon Kernick
It’s a cold November night, and DS Dennis Milne is waiting to kill three unarmed men. Cynical and jaded, Milne earns money on the side by punishing the bad guys. But he’s been set up. This time, instead of shooting drug dealers, he kills two customs officers and an accountant. With his colleagues and enemies closing in on him, Milne must use all of his skills just to stay alive. The hunter becomes the hunted in this race-against-time thriller.
LA Confidential by James Ellroy
LA Confidential by James Ellroy
Los Angeles: a city where the police are as crooked as the criminals. Six prisoners are beaten senseless in their cells by cops crazed on alcohol. For the three LAPD detectives involved, it will expose the guilty secrets on which they have built their corrupt and violent careers…This classic novel takes us on a sprawling epic tale of violence and the murderous seedy side of Hollywood. It’s an example of crime writing at its most powerful.
Close to Home by Cara Hunter
Close to Home by Cara Hunter
Last night, eight-year-old Daisy Mason disappeared from a family party. No one in the quiet suburban street saw anything – or at least, that’s what they’re saying. DI Adam Fawley is trying to keep an open mind. But he knows that nine times out of ten, it’s someone the victim knew. That means someone is lying – and that Daisy’s time is running out. While the complex, contemporary plot is enough to keep you turning the pages, Fawley and his team of detectives shine in the first book in Hunter’s police procedural series. Their backstories and the relationships between them provide you with characters to really root for, leaving you excited to pick up the next book – and the next, and the next…
Little Boy Blue by M J Arlidge
Little Boy Blue by M J Arlidge
DI Helen Grace faces her most personal case yet as she investigates the shocking murder of a close friend found cocooned in plastic. With the case threatening to expose dark secrets in her personal life, she must track down a brutal serial killer while concealing her own connection to the victim – only to find herself squarely in the frame. Fast-paced, clever and impossible to put down, this is a thriller that will take you on a roller coaster ride with twists you won’t see coming.
Fallen by Karin Slaughter
Fallen by Karin Slaughter
When a hostage situation at her mother’s house turns deadly, Special Agent Faith Mitchell finds she isn’t just a cop anymore – she’s a witness, and a suspect. To find her mother and prove her innocence, Faith will have to go up against the people she respects the most. In this story of police corruption, bribery and murder, the personal and the criminal collide, with conflicted loyalties threatening to destroy reputations and ruin lives.
Dark Waters by G R Halliday
Dark Waters by G R Halliday
DI Monica Kennedy has been called to her first Serious Crimes case in six months; a dismembered body has been discovered, abandoned in a dam. Days later, when another victim surfaces, Monica knows she is on the hunt for a ruthless killer. But as she begins to close in on the murderer, her own dark past isn’t far behind…This dark, no holds barred police procedural is brilliantly written and gripping to the very end.
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
Detective Matthew Venn has not been back to the small North Devon town where he grew up for years. But now he’s back and working a murder case: a man’s body has washed up on shore, with an albatross tattoo on his neck and stab wounds on his body. Venn must find the killer – which means reliving his own past and exposing the town’s dark secrets. This police procedural is now a major ITV series, and we’d expect no less from the author whose works inspired Shetland and Vera.
If I Should Die by Matthew Frank
If I Should Die by Matthew Frank
When a homeless man walks into Greenwich police station and confesses to a killing, it should be the admission that cracks open a murder enquiry. Instead, he stumbles out on to the street and collapses, bleeding from a stab wound he’s attempted to repair himself. If I Should Die has a gripping plot, but it’s the camaraderie between Detectives Joe Stark and Fran Millhaven that makes this book stand out. This wonderful odd couple have it all: great banter, plenty of tension and professional rivalry. Expect edge-of-your seat action and a mystery that twists and turns.
After the Silence by Jake Woodhouse
After the Silence by Jake Woodhouse
Inspector Jaap Rykel is hunting a clever and brutal murderer who is terrorising the streets of Amsterdam – but everybody in the city is harbouring secrets, and hearing those secrets comes at a terrible price…Dark and twisty, this hard-hitting tale of murder, abuse and corruption at the highest level is perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson and Stuart MacBride.
The Black Book by James Patterson
The Black Book by James Patterson
How can you prove your innocence when you can’t remember the crime? Charged with double murder and desperate to clear his name, cop Billy Harney is on the hunt for a little black book containing the truth that will either set him free – or confirm his worst fears. No one’s motives can be trusted in this page-turning thriller about power, corruption, and how secrets can scandalise a city. Weaving together past and present, it’ll keep you guessing with its relentless twists and turns. If you enjoy The Black Book, you’ll also love James Patterson’s Michael Bennett series, including his latest, Obsessed.
If I Fall by Merilyn Davies
If I Fall by Merilyn Davies
Crime Analyst Carla Brown and Detective Sergeant Nell Jackson are on the case when a woman plunges to her death from a university reunion at a rooftop bar. Blending psychological suspense with police procedural, this gritty crime novel boasts a cast of well-crafted, believable characters and an investigative team you’ll find yourself drawn to and desperate to revisit again and again.
Police by Jo Nesbo
Police by Jo Nesbo
The police urgently need Harry Hole’s help. A killer is stalking Oslo’s streets and police officers are being slain at the scenes of crimes they once investigated but failed to solve. The murders are vicious, the media reaction hysterical. But with those he loves most facing terrible danger, Harry can’t protect anyone – least of all himself. If it’s corrupt coppers you’re after, look no further than Jo Nesbo and this fiendishly clever cat-and-mouse thriller. With twists, turns and red herrings abound, it’s guaranteed to grip from start to finish.
11th Hour by James Patterson
11th Hour by James Patterson
When an undercover officer is shot with a weapon taken from her own department’s evidence locker, Detective Lindsay Boxer must investigate her closest colleagues – and ask herself which of her friends she can trust. The formidable Women’s Murder Club – a detective, a lawyer, a medical examiner and a journalist – put their heads together to solve an intriguing mystery in this action-packed, thrilling must-read.
Have we missed any must-read police procedural books? Let us know in the comments below!
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J D Kirk’s Jack Logan series is great as is Neil Lancaster’s series with Max Craigie. Brilliant books!
Stuart MacBride’s books, both Ash Henderson and Logan McCrae series, MUST be part of the list – just brilliant!
Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd series is superb