Joy Ellis Books in Order: The Complete DI Wesley Peterson & Fenland Mysteries Guide

Welcome back to WhimsyRead! If you are a fan of dark procedural mysteries, fog-drenched landscapes, and police teams that feel like genuine family, Joy Ellis is a name that should be right at the top of your reading list. Set against the haunting, vast expanse of the Lincolnshire Fens in England, her novels blend cold-case tracking, psychological tension, and brilliant detective teamwork.

Whether you’re drawn to the fiery grit of DI Nikki Galena or the calm, analytical brilliance of DI Rowan Jackman, this complete guide organizes every Joy Ellis mystery in perfect reading order.

About the Author: Who is Joy Ellis?

Joy Ellis is a bestselling British crime writer born in Kent, England. Before embarking on her literary career, she worked in London as a florist and ran a successful floral shop, as well as working as a bookshop manager. Her deep connection to the countryside led her to the Lincolnshire Fens, a unique marshland region in Eastern England whose quiet, isolated beauty provides the ideal backdrop for her crime fiction. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide, establishing her as one of the premier voices in contemporary British police procedurals.

Joy Ellis Books in Order

1. The DI Nikki Galena & DS Joseph Easter Series

Set in the fictional fenland town of Greenborough, this series follows tough, no-nonsense Detective Inspector Nikki Galena and her steady, grounded partner DS Joseph Easter as they tackle grim cases across the marshlands.

• Their Lost Kids (2017) (Originally published as Crime on the Fens in 2010)
  When a young girl disappears during a local festival and a dead body turns up on the marshes, DI Nikki Galena must partner with new detective Joseph Easter to uncover dark village secrets.
• Shadow Over the Fens (2011)
  A prominent local figure is found murdered in a secluded churchyard, pulling Nikki and Joseph into a web of blackmail and revenge.
• Hunted on the Fens (2016)
  A killer targets young women across the Lincolnshire Fens, leaving behind cryptic clues that force the team into a tense race against time.
• Killer on the Fens (2016)
  When a series of seemingly accidental deaths turns out to be deliberate murders, Nikki uncovers a lethal conspiracy lurking close to home.
• Stalker on the Fens (2016)
  A quiet neighborhood is shattered by a ruthless stalker whose obsessive campaign escalates into brutal violence.
• Captive on the Fens (2017)
  Nikki and Joseph investigate a bizarre kidnapping where the victim is left tied up on the desolate marshlands with no memory of their captor.
• Bad to the Bone (2017)
  The discovery of human remains buried under an old barn reopens an unsolved cold case involving a missing teenager from decades past.
• Fear on the Fens (2018)
  A mysterious arsonist targets historic fenland properties, trapping residents inside and threatening the entire community.
• Graves on the Fens (2018)
  Archaeologists excavating an ancient fenland site unearth a shallow grave holding a recently murdered body alongside medieval bones.
• Detailed on the Fens (2019)
  A high-profile trial unravels when key witnesses begin dying under suspicious circumstances, forcing Nikki to protect those remaining.
• Hidden on the Fens (2020)
  A body found floating in a remote canal leads the team to uncover an illicit smuggling ring operating deep within the marshes.
• Secrets on the Fens (2021)
  Cold-case evidence comes to light, challenging everything Nikki believed about a notorious crime that occurred early in her police career.
• Fire on the Fens (2022)
  A string of deadly warehouse fires forces the team to pursue a vengeful pyromaniac before a major disaster strikes.
• Whispers on the Fens (2023)
  Anonymous tip-offs lead police to long-buried evidence, igniting fear across the Fens as an old killer resurfaces.
• Echoes on the Fens (2024)
  Nikki Galena confronts a ghost from her past when a freshly committed crime mirrors a tragic case from her early patrol days.
• Silenced on the Fens (2025)
  A quiet fenland village becomes ground zero for a chilling revenge plot targeting former law enforcement officers.

2. The Jackman & Evans Series

This popular procedural series focuses on the thoughtful Detective Inspector Rowan Jackman and his highly perceptive partner, Detective Sergeant Marie Evans, operating out of the Fenland Police Headquarters.

• The Murderer’s Son (2016)
  When a man discovers his biological father was an infamous serial killer, his arrival in town coincides with a string of gruesome new murders.
• Their Lost Hearts (2017)
  A horrific discovery on a lonely fenland road leads Jackman and Evans to investigate an underground network harvesting human organs.
• The Fourth Friend (2017)
  Four old university friends gather for a reunion, but when one is murdered, long-held grudges and dark secrets come spilling out.
• The Treatment (2018)
  A twisted psychological manipulator targets vulnerable patients, prompting Jackman and Evans to uncover a sinister therapeutic practice.
• The Missing Ones (2019)
  When several runaway teenagers vanish without a trace from a local shelter, the team races to dismantle a ruthless exploitation ring.
• The Patient (2020)
  A man recovering in a psychiatric hospital claims to know details about an upcoming assassination, pushing Marie Evans to verify his story before it’s too late.
• The Night Thief (2021)
  A series of nighttime home invasions turns deadly when a violent burglar begins leaving cryptic warning symbols at crime scenes.
• The Solitary Man (2022)
  A reclusive man living off the grid in a remote fenland cottage is found dead, triggering an investigation into his hidden military past.
• The Guilt of Innocence (2023)
  An exonerated suspect is released from prison, only to be murdered days later, forcing Jackman to determine who wanted him dead.
• The River’s Edge (2024)
  A body washed up on the banks of the River Welland reveals ties to an unsolved heist that went terribly wrong years ago.
• The Shadow Hunter (2025)
  Jackman and Evans pursue a elusive sniper targeting high-profile figures across the desolate marshlands.

3. The Detective Matt Ballard Series

This psychological thriller series follows veteran detective Matt Ballard and his partner Liz Campbell as they confront cold cases, personal trauma, and relentless stalkers.

• Beware the Past (2018)
  Years after catching a notorious serial killer known as the Gibbet Killer, Matt Ballard is horrified when new murders replicate the exact same signature.
• Five Bloody Hearts (2019)
  Matt and Liz investigate a sinister puzzle where victims are left with playing cards pressed into their hands.
• The Stolen Boys (2020)
  A string of mysterious abductions targeting young boys forces Matt Ballard out of retirement to catch a predatory kidnapper.
• The Harbor Murders (2021)
  Working as private consultants, Matt and Liz take on a case involving a fisherman found dead aboard his vessel in a fog-shrouded harbor.
• The Bone Field (2023)
  A routine survey of land planned for development uncovers a graveyard of cold-case victims spanning over two decades.

Short Reading Guide: How Should You Read These Books?

If you are stepping into the fog-bound worlds of Joy Ellis for the first time, here are the two best routes to take:

1. The Classic Fenland Route: Start with Their Lost Kids (2017) in the Nikki Galena series. It offers the quintessential Joy Ellis experience—gritty procedural work, rich marshland atmosphere, and an unforgettable detective partnership.
2. The Psychological Procedural Route: Start with The Murderer’s Son (2016) in the Jackman & Evans series. This path leans slightly heavier into dark psychological puzzles and high-stakes criminal profiling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Joy Ellis book should I read first?

The best starting point is Their Lost Kids (the first DI Nikki Galena novel) or The Murderer’s Son (the first Jackman & Evans novel). Both introduce her core setting and main detective teams smoothly.

Where are Joy Ellis’s books set?

Her books are primarily set in the Lincolnshire Fens, a unique, flat marshland region in Eastern England. The bleak, misty, and isolated landscape acts as a central character in almost all of her crime novels.

Can I read the Jackman & Evans series without reading the Nikki Galena series?

Yes! While both series take place in the same general region of Lincolnshire and share a similar dark, atmospheric vibe, they feature different police teams and can be enjoyed completely independently.

Are Joy Ellis books interconnected?

While each series stands on its own, occasional subtle references or minor crossover elements occur between her Fenland police teams. However, reading each specific series in its own publication order is all you need to keep up with the story.

What is the reading order for the Nikki Galena series?

Start with Their Lost Kids (originally released as Crime on the Fens) and follow the publication list sequentially through to her latest releases like Silenced on the Fens.

Final Verdict

Joy Ellis is a master of atmospheric British crime fiction, seamlessly combining eerie rural landscapes with sharp police teamwork and complex criminal puzzles. Whether you walk the windy marsh trails alongside Nikki Galena in Their Lost Kids or unravel psychological webs with Rowan Jackman in The Murderer’s Son, her books offer an incredibly satisfying read for mystery fans. Pick up a copy, brew a warm cup of tea, and step into the Fens!

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.