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John MaddenSeries

This series follows a seasoned Scotland Yard detective, a man whose psyche was irrevocably altered by the horrors of World War I. Each case plunges him into the grimy underbelly of London, where he unravels intricate crimes while battling his own inner turmoil. The gritty realism and psychological depth of the protagonist make for compelling and atmospheric mysteries.

The Dead of Winter
Un Fleuve de Tenebres
The Death of Kings
River of darkness
The Decent Inn of Death
The Blood-dimmed Tide

Recommended Reading Order

  1. 1

    River of darkness

    3.9(7063)Add rating

    It is 1921 and a terrible discovery has been made at a manor house in Surrey - the bloodied bodies of Colonel Fletcher, his wife and two of their staff. The victims have all been stabbed and the lack of disturbance in the house suggests that the attack was one of terrifying speed. The Surrey police force seem ready to put the murders town to robbery with violence, but Detective Inspector Madden from Scotland Yard sees things slightly differently. For he has experienced the horrors of World War I and has seen madness at first hand. And he is certain this crime has been perpetrated by a psychopath who will strike again...and soon. 'One of the most gripping thrillers I have ever read' - Country Life

    River of darkness
  2. 1

    Un Fleuve de Tenebres

    • 480 pages
    • 17 hours of reading
    3.7(12)Add rating

    Il existe de plus agréables façons de débuter dans la police que celle subie par le jeune Billy Styles, en cette année 1921. C'est peut-être le plus bel été depuis la guerre, mais ce qu'il découvre à Melling Lodge, une jolie demeure aristocratique perdue dans la campagne du Surrey, dépasse de loin les banales considérations météorologiques : le colonel Fletcher, sa femme Lucy et deux employés ont été proprement massacrés... Arrivé en renfort, l'inspecteur John Madden de Scotland Yard se détache assez vite de la théorie officielle du cambriolage ayant mal tourné. Il découvre que les meurtres, en particulier ceux des femmes, semblent répondre à un rituel précis, planifié et exécuté de manière horriblement méthodique. Pour lui, cette horreur ne peut donc qu'être l'œuvre d'un maniaque, un tueur en série qui pourrait bien récidiver. Mais le seul témoin du quadruple meurtre est une petite fille en état de choc... L'inspecteur de Scotland Yard aura alors bien besoin des conseils éclairés du premier "profiler" de l'histoire des crimes de papier, un disciple de Freud, pour tenter de résoudre l'incroyable énigme.

    Un Fleuve de Tenebres
  3. 2

    The Blood-dimmed Tide

    • 340 pages
    • 12 hours of reading
    3.5(28)Add rating

    It is 1932 and John Madden, former Scotland Yard Inspector, is now a farmer in the peaceful Surrey countryside. However his peace is about to be shattered, for when a young girl goes missing, it is he who discovers her disfigured body hidden in a wood. Disturbed by what he has seen he is convinced the killer has struck before...When a second body is found, Madden's instinct is proved right - there is a multiple killer at large. Allying himself with his old colleagues, and against the wishes of his anxious wife, he immerses himself in one more case, and his insights into the personality of the man they are seeking are soon borne out. Self-taught in a world of secret agents, this psychopath is a master of reinvention who has been covering his tracks for many years. The investigation leads to Germany. The Nazis are on the brink of power. The killer has so far eluded the German police. And the mutilated bodies he has left in his wake are just a shocking foretaste of the horrors to come...

    The Blood-dimmed Tide
  4. 3

    The Dead of Winter

    3.3(11)Add rating

    The CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award shortlisted third novel featuring Inspector Madden, from the author of River of Darkness and The Blood-Dimmed Tide.

    The Dead of Winter
  5. 4

    The Reckoning

    • 320 pages
    • 12 hours of reading
    4.0(36)Add rating

    The fourth book in the much acclaimed Inspector John Madden series from the author of River of Darkness, The Blood-Dimmed Tide and The Dead of Winter.

    The Reckoning
  6. 5
  7. 6

    The Decent Inn of Death

    A John Madden Mystery

    • 368 pages
    • 13 hours of reading
    3.9(53)Add rating

    Meticulously detailed and beautifully written, this procedural mystery captivates with its intricate plotting and rich character development. The narrative invites readers to delve into the complexities of crime-solving, offering a compelling blend of suspense and depth. The author's skillful prose ensures that the story is not only engaging but also rewarding upon re-examination, making it a standout choice for mystery enthusiasts.

    The Decent Inn of Death