Barbara Cleverly Book order (chronological)

An “invitation to dine” quickly loses a letter as DI John Redfyre returns for his second investigation in the hallowed halls of Cambridge academia. 1923: Five Cambridge college dons host a monthly dinner club in secret. Their sixth man, always a stranger, is destined to make only one appearance. He is carefully selected the day of each party as the dons scour the streets to find their next target—a vagrant, perhaps, who looks like he could use a nice meal. He is handed a formal invitation, then appears at dinner only to be psychologically tormented for the evening by the dons’ cutting wit. The man with the highest number of killing shots is awarded a cup at the end of the night. Then the dons’ most recent guest, a former officer in the turn-of-the-century Boer War, is found strangled with hints of a sumptuous last meal in his stomach. Detective Inspector John Redfyre’s investigation takes him into the halls of notoriously elite and secretive St. Jude’s College—unfamiliar territory, even for a man of his breeding. As he contends with five suspects, each powerful and formidably clever, he must determine whether their parties are merely pretentious sadism, or one or more of the dons has more sinister mechanisms at play.

England 1923: Detective Inspector John Redfyre is the secret weapon of the Cambridge CID. Born and bred among the city's colleges, he has access to the educated elite who run these institutions, a society previously deemed impenetrable by local law enforcement. When Redfyre's Aunt Hetty hands him a front-row ticket to the year's St. Barnabas College Christmas concert, he is intrigued to discover that the trumpet player is, scandalously, a young woman, and a beautiful and talented one at that. But when she tumbles headlong down a staircase after curtainfall, Redfyre fears that some of his dearest friends may become targets, or -- equally alarmingly -- that one of them might be a killer

Cambridge, 1933. On All Hallows’ Eve, in a candlelit pew in ancient All Hallows Church, Doctor Adelaide Hartest witnesses a stranger’s dying moments. Adelaide is just in time to hear his final confession: that he has plunged the dagger into his own chest, and that his death will be a suicide, despite its suspicious appearance. But his confession isn’t enough to halt an investigation. The victim, it is revealed, is known to Scotland Yard, and his death is a matter of national concern. Assistant Commissioner Joe Sandilands is sent up from London to discover the truth. Thrown into a deadly ring of cloak-and-dagger intrigue and high-society hedonism, Sandilands chases a phantom killer through Cambridge’s aristocracy, intelligentsia, cutting-edge researchers, and a clandestine ring of female spies. What secret was the dead man hiding, and what is at stake?

Scotland Yard Detective Joe Sandilands is caught off guard one night in 1933 by a phone call from a distressed boy named Jackie Drummond, who just might be the illegitimate son Joe never knew he had. Jackie is in trouble at his Sussex boarding school, where a teacher has been murdered. When Joe gets himself assigned to the investigation, he learns the boarding school case is more complicated than it appears: A frightening number of boys, all from wealthy families, have gone missing over the school’s history, and by some coincidence none of the families have followed up on their sons' whereabouts.

One morning before dawn in the stables of her country estate, Lady Truelove meets a violent death in an encounter with a dangerous horse. Classified as “death by misadventure,” this appears a gruesome accident. But Scotland Yard Detective Joe Sandilands suspects foul play—a misgiving he is struggling to separate from his personal grievances toward Sir James Truelove, who is Lady Truelove’s widower and the influential academic patron of Dorcas Joliffe, whom Joe one day hopes to marry. Joe enlists old friend and former constable Lily Wentworth to trail James, and finds an ally in a fellow police officer familiar with the Truelove estate. But as the investigation yields surprising secrets about one of England’s most powerful families, Joe discovers how little he knows about not only the gilded lives of the moneyed, but also his relationship with Dorcas. Is Joe prepared to risk a future with the girl he loves to uncover the truth behind Lady Truelove’s death?

London, 1933: An amateur dowsing team searching the Thames for precious metals unearths the body of a young woman with a priceless coin in her mouth. The case falls on Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Joe Sandilands, but he has another, very high-profile assignment. London is hosting a massive economic conference to address the global Depression, and political tensions run high as world leaders stand either with or against a rapidly militarizing Germany. Sandilands is to protect visiting American senator Cornelius Kingstone throughout the conference. But a when a series of bizarre coincidences links the riverbank body to the senator, Joe realizes that Kingstone is caught up in a dangerous game that might cost not just one but thousands of lives.

Set against the historical backdrop of the Romanov murders and the mystery of the Tsar's missing fortune, this installment of the Joe Sandilands series weaves a tale of murder and espionage. As Sandilands navigates the complexities of the case, readers are drawn into a gripping narrative filled with intrigue and suspense.

Revised edition featuring an interactive table of contents, cross-referencing, links to external websites, downloadable resources, and optimized content for Kindle e-readers. This historical writers’ guide aims to equip aspiring writers with the essential skills for crafting historical novels and short stories. It also serves experienced writers looking to refine their craft or transition to historical fiction. The step-by-step format includes practical activities that encourage experimentation with techniques necessary for creating authentic and engaging historical narratives. Organized into seven main headings, each chapter focuses on a specific writing skill or tool, allowing for independent use to address particular challenges or reinforce concepts introduced. The guide aims to provide the necessary tools for writing in various historical subgenres, including historical crime fiction. Contributions from notable historical fiction writers offer insights that both complement and challenge the activities, providing a diverse perspective on the craft. The activities stem from innovative workshops led by Myfanwy Cook, a published author with numerous accolades. She emphasizes that mastering writing is akin to an apprenticeship, requiring practical skills, imagination, and a commitment to the craft. This guide seeks to fill gaps in knowledge and inspire aspiring writers by enhancing their confidence and skills in historical fi

Set in Provence in 1926, the story follows Scotland Yard detective Joe Sandilands during his leave as he travels to the Riviera. His trip takes a dark turn when a crime at an ancient chateau precedes their arrival, hinting at impending violence and danger. As Sandilands navigates this unsettling situation, he must unravel the mystery and protect his niece amidst the looming threat.

Set in 1928 Athens, the story follows aspiring archaeologist Laetitia Talbot as she embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover a conspiracy filled with betrayal and vengeance. As Letty delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself in a race against time, facing the threat of impending violence that could change everything. Award-winning author Barbara Cleverly weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, immersing readers in a richly atmospheric backdrop.