John Lawton Book order (chronological)

A unique account of birds on pub signs, their history and natural history, and their association with art, music and literature

The newest literary spy thriller from a master of the genre, Moscow Exile is a richly populated, gripping tale of espionage set in Washington, D.C. during the post-war period.

Exploring the unpredictable nature of destiny, the story delves into the lives of characters whose paths intertwine in unexpected ways. As they navigate through challenges and serendipitous encounters, themes of chance, choice, and the consequences of their actions emerge. The narrative captures the essence of how seemingly random events can shape lives, leading to profound transformations and realizations about love, friendship, and self-discovery.

In swinging sixties London, MI6 spy Joe Wilderness finds his assignments far from glamorous. Despite his talent for thriving in challenging situations, his past misadventures have landed him in trouble. A coffee-smuggling operation in divided Berlin turned disastrous when he had to return a spy to the KGB, resulting in a reprimand and a new posting in remote northern Finland under the guise of a cultural exchange program. Bored and with little to spy on, Wilderness turns to smuggling vodka across the porous border into the USSR, capitalizing on a vodka shortage caused by Khrushchev's agricultural policies. He partners with his old KGB acquaintance, Kostya, but suspicions arise about Kostya's sudden appearance and its connection to cobalt mining in the area, crucial for atomic bomb casings. As Wilderness navigates the complexities of Cold War tensions, his assignment becomes increasingly perilous. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Prague Spring, featuring familiar allies and adversaries, weaving a tale rich in deception, art, and politics, capturing the thrilling life of a British spy.

A new novel in the Inspector Troy series, a tale of Cold War spy dealings centred around Guy Burgess

The second book in the Joe Wilderness series.

The fifth book in John Lawton's Inspector Troy series, selected by Time magazine as one of 'Six Detective Series to Savour' alongside Michael Connelly and Donna Leon.

An historical thriller from the author of the Inspector Troy series, moving from London during the Blitz, to divided post-war Berlin - and introducing Joe Wilderness. John Holderness, known to the women in his life as 'Wilderness', comes of age during World War II in Stepney, East London, breaking in to houses with his grandfather. After the war, Wilderness is recruited as MI5's resident 'cat burglar' and finds himself in Berlin, involved with schemes in the booming black market that put both him and his relationships in danger. In 1963 it is a most unusual and lucrative request that persuades Wilderness to return - to smuggle someone under the Berlin Wall and out of East Germany. But this final scheme may prove to be one challenge too far. Then We Take Berlin is a gripping, meticulously researched and richly detailed historical thriller - a moving story of espionage and war, and people caught up in the most tumultuous events of the twentieth century

The second book in John Lawton's Inspector Troy series, selected by Time magazine as one of 'Six Detective Series to Savour' alongside Michael Connelly and Donna Leon.

The fourth book in John Lawton's Inspector Troy series, selected by Time magazine as one of 'Six Detective Series to Savour' alongside Michael Connelly and Donna Leon.