Best Book Series Detective (2026): 4 Picks Compared

A reader who just finished a long detective series wants the next one to feel like home, and the best book series detective picks are the ones that start at the beginning with a detective worth following. We compared four detective series on series position, publication date, edition and what each listing states, so you can pick the right entry point.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Detective Hillary Greene 1-7	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Vanishing Girls by Regan	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Miss Wolcott's Ghost by Penny	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Murder in the Hollows by James	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Detective Hillary Greene 1-7

FAITH MARTIN·9.8/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A box set of seven British crime mysteries following DI Hillary Greene through Oxford and the Cotswolds.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Seven mysteries in one box set
• Oxford and Cotswold settings, classic British crime
• From a multi-million-selling mystery writer

Cons

• Box set only; no single-volume option is stated
• No reading age or level is stated
• December 1, 2025 publication is very recent

2

Vanishing Girls by Regan

Lisa Regan·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Book 1 crime thriller that opens the 25-book Detective Josie Quinn series, suited to readers who want to start a long detective series at the beginning.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of the 25-book Detective Josie Quinn series
• Detective-led crime thriller, a direct match for the keyword
• Bookouture edition with the series position stated

Cons

• The description involves missing girls and violent crime, so parents should check before buying
• No page count is stated
• January 2018 edition, older than the 2026 Gamache pick

3

Miss Wolcott's Ghost by Penny

Louise Penny·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 21 of the Chief Inspector Gamache mysteries, suited to readers already deep in the long-running series.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 21 of the 21-book Chief Inspector Gamache mysteries
• October 2026 publication, the most current pick here
• Detective-led mystery series, a direct match for the keyword

Cons

• Book 21 is a poor entry point for new series readers
• No page count is stated
• The description centers on a murder investigation with dark past events

4

Murder in the Hollows by James

Declan James·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a reader who likes classic small-town detective stories, a deputy turned detective hunts a judge's killer in rural Ohio.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of 12 in the Jake Cashen Crime Thriller Series, so a new reader can start at the beginning
• The listing gives a 2022 publication date, a current-edition series starter
• The description names the detective's FBI background, which fits readers who like procedurals

Cons

• The description centers on a murder, so it is not for readers who avoid violent crime fiction
• The listing states no print length, so a reader cannot judge the book's size before buying
• Book 1 of 12 means a hooked reader has many follow-up books to buy

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• The Wrong Truth by DambrosioFor Harry Hamm mystery fans: Book 3 of 4, 259 pages, published 2021.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the four picks lists a reading age or grade level, so that part of the score is zero across the board. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best book series detective

Start at Book 1 when you can

Vanishing Girls and Murder in the Hollows both open their series at Book 1, which is the cleanest entry point. Miss Wolcott’s Ghost is Book 21, so it suits readers already following Gamache. Browse every thriller and mystery list for more series to start.

Check the edition date

The Gamache pick is dated October 2026 while the Josie Quinn pick dates to January 2018; older does not mean worse, but confirm the series is still going. The 21-book Gamache series is listed as complete at Book 21 of 21. See thriller book series for more long runs.

Before you buy

• For a series, buy Book 1 first and confirm the series number on the listing.
• Check the publication date on the listing, especially for the 2018 and 2026 editions.
• Read the description for mature themes before buying for a younger reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start the Josie Quinn series?

At Book 1: Vanishing Girls is listed as Book 1 of 25 in the Detective Josie Quinn series.

Can I start with Miss Wolcott’s Ghost?

It is listed as Book 21 of 21, so it suits readers already following the series; new readers should start at Book 1.

Do any of these list a reading age?

No. None of the four picks lists a reading age or grade level, so match the description’s themes to the reader.

Still deciding? Our top pickDetective Hillary Greene 1-7

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every thriller and mystery list and all fiction lists.

More lists: detective series comedy, mystery books with dogs and detective series disney plus.