Jimmy Perez Books in Order: The Complete Shetland Reading Guide
Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez is one of modern crime fiction’s most beloved detectives. Created by Ann Cleeves, Perez investigates murders across Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands, where harsh weather, isolated communities, and long-held secrets shape every case.
The Shetland novels became internationally famous through the BBC television adaptation, but the books and TV series eventually follow different paths. Readers who want Perez’s complete literary story should begin with Raven Black and continue through the original Shetland novels before moving to the newer books set in Orkney.
Shetland Books in Order
The original Jimmy Perez novels are often divided into two four-book arcs: the Four Seasons Quartet and the Four Elements Quartet. Together, they form the complete Shetland story.
1. Raven Black (2006)
Raven Black introduces Jimmy Perez and the isolated world of the Shetland Islands. During a harsh winter, a teenage girl is found murdered, and suspicion quickly falls on a lonely local man.
This award-winning novel won the Duncan Lawrie Dagger and established the atmospheric style that defines the entire series. It is the best starting point for new readers.
2. White Nights (2008)
Perez investigates a suspicious death during Shetland’s famous summer season, when darkness never fully arrives.
The novel explores how close-knit communities can hide secrets beneath seemingly peaceful lives. It also continues Perez’s personal journey.
3. Red Bones (2009)
An archaeological dig uncovers more than ancient history when a murder shocks the island community.
The book combines Shetland history, family relationships, and modern crime, making it one of the most character-driven novels in the series.
4. Blue Lightning (2010)
Perez travels to Fair Isle with his fiancée, hoping for a quiet break, but a murder interrupts their visit.
Many readers consider this one of the most emotional Jimmy Perez novels because it changes Perez’s personal life in important ways.
5. Dead Water (2013)
A journalist is found dead in a remote house, and Perez investigates a case involving powerful people and hidden connections.
This book begins the second major arc of the Shetland series.
6. Thin Air (2014)
A woman disappears during a family gathering on Unst, the northernmost inhabited island in Britain.
The novel blends mystery with local folklore and ghost stories, creating one of the series’ most atmospheric cases.
7. Cold Earth (2016)
A landslide reveals a body hidden for many years, leading Perez into another investigation filled with old secrets.
The isolated winter setting gives the novel a darker and more suspenseful tone.
8. Wild Fire (2018)
Wild Fire concludes the original Shetland series. A murder on a remote island forces Perez to confront both the case and major decisions about his future.
This novel wraps up the first phase of Perez’s story and sets the stage for what comes next.
Willow Reeves & Jimmy Perez Books in Order
After Wild Fire, Ann Cleeves continued Jimmy Perez’s story in a new setting. Perez and Willow Reeves move to Orkney, creating a connected but separate series.
1. The Lonely Man (2025)
The Lonely Man is a short story that bridges the gap between Shetland and Orkney.
Although brief, it explains important changes in Perez and Willow’s lives and serves as an introduction to the new series.
2. The Killing Stones (2025)
The Killing Stones is the first full-length novel in the new Jimmy Perez series.
Set in Orkney, the story begins when a childhood friend asks Perez for help after a body is discovered during a violent storm. Ancient history and modern crime collide in another atmospheric Scottish mystery.
Jimmy Perez Books in Publication Order
If you want to read every Jimmy Perez story in publication order, follow this list:
- Raven Black (2006)
- White Nights (2008)
- Red Bones (2009)
- Blue Lightning (2010)
- Dead Water (2013)
- Thin Air (2014)
- Cold Earth (2016)
- Wild Fire (2018)
- The Lonely Man (2025, short story)
- The Killing Stones (2025)
This gives readers the complete Jimmy Perez story currently available.
Should You Read Jimmy Perez Books in Order?
Yes.
Each novel contains its own mystery, but Jimmy Perez’s personal life changes significantly throughout the series. Relationships, family developments, and career decisions continue from one book to the next.
Readers who skip around may understand individual investigations, but publication order provides the strongest emotional impact, especially in Blue Lightning, Wild Fire, and the newer Orkney books.
Jimmy Perez Books vs. the TV Series
The BBC adaptation Shetland began by adapting Ann Cleeves’s novels but later created original stories.
The television version also changed certain character details and continued beyond the original books. Readers who want Jimmy Perez’s original literary story should follow the novels rather than relying on the television chronology.
Where Should You Start?
For most readers, the answer is simple:
Start with Raven Black.
It introduces Jimmy Perez, the Shetland setting, and the close-knit island communities that make these mysteries unique. Readers who enjoy atmospheric crime fiction, police procedurals, and strong character development will find the series rewarding from beginning to end.
About Jimmy Perez
Jimmy Perez is a thoughtful and compassionate detective who often solves crimes by understanding people rather than relying solely on forensic evidence.
Unlike many modern crime-fiction detectives, Perez is quiet, empathetic, and deeply connected to the communities he serves. His understanding of island life is one reason the Shetland books stand apart from many police procedurals.
FAQ About Jimmy Perez Books
Who wrote the Jimmy Perez books?
The Jimmy Perez books were written by Ann Cleeves, the British crime author who also created Vera Stanhope and Matthew Venn.
How many Jimmy Perez books are there?
There are eight original Shetland novels, one short story (The Lonely Man), and one new Orkney novel (The Killing Stones), making ten stories in total.
What is the first Jimmy Perez book?
Raven Black (2006) is the first Jimmy Perez novel. It won the Duncan Lawrie Dagger award.
Do the Jimmy Perez books need to be read in order?
Yes. Although each mystery stands alone, Perez’s personal story develops across the books. Publication order provides the best reading experience.
What book comes after Wild Fire?
After Wild Fire, readers should continue with The Lonely Man and then The Killing Stones, which move Perez and Willow Reeves to Orkney.
Is The Killing Stones a Shetland novel?
No. It belongs to the newer Willow Reeves & Jimmy Perez series, although it continues the same characters after the Shetland books.
Which Jimmy Perez book is the best place to start?
Raven Black remains the best introduction because it introduces Perez, the Shetland setting, and the relationships that continue throughout the series.
Final Verdict
The Jimmy Perez books combine atmospheric settings, thoughtful investigations, and strong character development, making them some of the finest modern British crime novels.
For the complete experience, read the eight Shetland novels first, beginning with Raven Black, then continue with The Lonely Man and The Killing Stones. Together, they tell the full story of one of crime fiction’s most memorable detectives.
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