The Book Decoder’s guide to reading Chief Inspector Littlejohn series

Death of a Busybody, third book in the series, is about the gruesome murder of a nosy parker, Miss Ethel Tither. Head bashed and left to drown in a cesspool, Miss Tither certainly had a painful death. When Littlejohn arrives at the quaint little village of Hilary Magna, he realizes he’s spoiled for choice – the local vicar (Reverend Claplady) supplies him with a map showing the scene of crime and the local bobby Harriwinckle is eagerly waiting to impress the Scotland Yard man.

The Dead Shall be Raised is the fourth book in the series and is published as set of two books – along with Murder of a Quack.

In the winter of 1940, the Home Guard unearths a skeleton on the moor above the busy town of Hatterworth. Twenty-three years earlier, the body of a young textile worker was found in the same spot, and the prime suspect was never found—but the second body is now identified as his. Soon it becomes clear that the true murderer is still at large…

The Case of the Seven Whistlers is the sixth book in the series.

A cozy English hamlet is thrown into an uproar when one of the antique dealers is found dead in a chest bought by Miss Adlestrop. The local constabulary is overwhelmed and Detective-Inspector Thomas Littlejohn is called to investigate the crime. Things aren’t easy for Littlejohn as the key to the chest goes missing and the villagers are infested with jealousy and secrets.

Calamity at Harwood is the seventh book in the series.

Solomon Burt, a property lord at Harwood is killed. He is found at the bottom of the stairs with his neck broken. Minutes before Burt’s death, he was haunted by poltergeists. Detective-Inspector Thomas Littlejohn is called to investigate the “ghostly” crime.

Death in the Night Watches is the eighth book in the series.

At the height of WWII, Thomas Littlejohn investigates the death of a factory boss. Henry Worth owns a textile factory but since the start of the war, the space is given to military production. One night, Henry smells gas coming from an unused shed and walks in. He’s found dead a few minutes later by the night watchman.

He’d Rather be Dead is the ninth book in the series.

The Mayor of the popular resort at Westcombe, Sir Gideon Ware, is notoriously known for making enemies. When he falls dead at an annual lunch event, no one is surprised to hear he’s murdered. With a long list of suspects, Littlejohn has a tough time narrowing down the list and bringing the killer to justice.

Crime in Lepers Hollow is the seventeenth book in the series.

Detective Inspector Littlejohn was supposed to be on a holiday but is drawn towards a peculiar case. He soon finds himself caught up in a network of family intrigue involving hate, deception and murder.

Dead March for Penelope Blow is the eighteenth book in the series.

In the wake of Mr William Blow’s death, his surviving relatives find themselves tangled up in family secrets and financial mystery. So when Miss Penelope Blow suddenly dies by falling out her bedroom window, suspicions are raised. With Scotland Yard under pressure to determine the widow’s fall was really accidental, Inspector Littlejohn is called in to get to the bottom of the case.

A Knife for Harry Dodd is the twenty-first book in the series.

When Harry Dodd calls Dorothy Nicholls for a ride home from the pub, she and her mother think he’s just had too much to drink. Little do they know that he’s dying of a stab wound to the back. By the time they get him home, he’s dead.

As Littlejohn starts to investigate, he learns he has more suspects than he can handle. There also seems to be another murderer on prowl…

Death Drops the Pilot is the twenty-fifth book in the series.

On a twilit autumn night, the Falbright Jenny ferries passengers from Elmer’s Creek to Falbright. But instead of making it across the river, she ends up marooned on a sand back. The skipper is missing. A few hours later, his body is found floating under the pier – stabbed in the back. The local authorities call Scotland Yard for help; Littlejohn and Cromwell are sent to investigate.

Death in High Provence is the twenty-seventh book in the series.

Against the background of fascinating Provence, a fantastic case is solved. Chief Inspector Littlejohn is sent to France to make informal enquiries about a motor accident. But his job is not easy, for he finds himself amongst the sombre, secretive inhabitants of St. Marcellin, a dying French village in the mountains of High Provence. Dominated by the aristocratic Monsieur le Marquis, the village obstructs his every move. But they had under-estimated the kindly, courteous Littlejohn.

Death Sends for the Doctor is the twenty-eighth book in the series.

Doctor Beharrell, a promi­nent physician, is found murdered in a secret room in his home at Bank House and Superintendent Littlejohn, warned before it has been discovered that the crime has been com­mitted, goes to investigate. 

Death in the Fearful Night is the thirty-fourth book in the series.

Superintendent Littlejohn arrives in the village of Carleton Unthank to investigate a triple murder that has left the town crippled with fear. With the threat of another murder looming, Littlejohn must catch the killer before the body count rises any further.