Robert Thorogood Books in Order: Death in Paradise and The Marlow Murder Club

Robert Thorogood is best known as the creator of the BBC mystery series Death in Paradise, but his novels have given him a second identity as a crime writer. His books combine classic murder-mystery puzzles with humor, unusual suspects, colorful settings, and amateur or unconventional detectives.

His novels are divided into two very different worlds. The four Death in Paradise books take readers to the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie with DI Richard Poole, while The Marlow Murder Club follows Judith Potts and her unlikely group of amateur investigators in the English town of Marlow.

Robert Thorogood Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete publication order of his novels as of 2026:

The bibliography is divided into four Death in Paradise novels and five Marlow Murder Club novels.

Death in Paradise Books in Order

The Death in Paradise novels are the first books Robert Thorogood published. They are set on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie and feature DI Richard Poole, the detective familiar to viewers of the television series.

1. A Meditation on Murder (2015)

A Meditation on Murder introduces DI Richard Poole to the novel series.

A murder takes place at a spiritual retreat on Saint Marie, where the wealthy guests have gathered to meditate and search for enlightenment. The case initially appears straightforward because someone has already confessed, but Poole quickly realizes that the confession does not fit the evidence.

The locked-room-style mystery gives readers the first taste of Thorogood’s combination of tropical scenery, eccentric suspects, humor, and traditional detective work.

2. The Killing of Polly Carter (2016)

In The Killing of Polly Carter, DI Richard Poole investigates the death of a famous supermodel.

Polly Carter appears to have fallen from a cliff at her island home, but the people around her are not convinced that her death was suicide. As Poole investigates her glamorous circle, he discovers that several people had reasons to want her dead.

This is the second Death in Paradise novel and should be read after A Meditation on Murder if you want to follow the series in order.

3. Death Knocks Twice (2017)

Death Knocks Twice brings Richard Poole back for another murder investigation on Saint Marie.

As usual, the island’s beautiful surroundings contrast with a complicated crime. Poole has to work through conflicting stories and hidden motives while trying to determine which suspect is actually responsible.

The novel continues the same detective and setting established in the first two books.

4. Murder in the Caribbean (2018)

Murder in the Caribbean is the fourth and final Death in Paradise novel written by Thorogood.

Richard Poole once again finds himself dealing with a murder case in the Caribbean. The book continues the mixture of traditional mystery plotting, unusual characters, and the humor associated with the Death in Paradise world.

With this book, readers complete the four-novel Richard Poole sequence.

The Marlow Murder Club Books in Order

After the four Death in Paradise novels, Thorogood began a completely new mystery series set in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

The series centers on Judith Potts, a 77-year-old crossword setter, and the unlikely group of women who join her investigations. The books are connected through their characters and setting, so reading them in order is useful.

5. The Marlow Murder Club (2021)

The Marlow Murder Club introduces Judith Potts, a crossword setter living in Marlow.

Judith hears a gunshot while swimming in the Thames and soon discovers that her neighbor has been murdered. When the police are not convinced by her version of events, Judith begins investigating herself.

She eventually teams up with Suzie Harris and Becks Starling, creating the unlikely trio known as the Marlow Murder Club.

This is the natural starting point for the entire Marlow series because it introduces Judith, Suzie, Becks, and the town where the subsequent mysteries take place.

6. Death Comes to Marlow (2022)

Death Comes to Marlow brings the three women back for another investigation.

Marlow is supposed to be enjoying a peaceful period, but a suspicious death once again puts Judith, Suzie, and Becks on the trail of a killer.

The second book develops the relationship between the three women while giving them another self-contained murder puzzle to solve. Publication databases generally list the book as a 2022 release, although some editions appeared in 2023.

7. The Queen of Poisons (2024)

The Queen of Poisons is the third Marlow Murder Club mystery.

Judith and her friends are once again drawn into a murder investigation, with the case bringing another collection of suspects, secrets, and clues into their lives.

By this point, the central trio is well established, so the book works particularly well as a continuation rather than an introduction to the series.

8. Murder on the Marlow Belle (2025)

Murder on the Marlow Belle is the fourth book in the Marlow series.

This time, the mystery takes place around the Marlow Belle, giving Thorogood another distinctive setting for his amateur detectives to investigate.

The book was published in 2025 and continues the story of Judith, Suzie, and Becks.

9. The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts (2026)

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is the fifth Marlow Murder Club novel and the newest Robert Thorogood book as of September 2026.

The book brings the focus particularly close to Judith Potts, the character who started the entire Marlow investigation. It was released in 2026 and is currently listed as Book 5 in the series.

Readers starting the Marlow books now should read The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts after the first four books rather than treating it as a standalone Judith Potts story.

Death in Paradise vs. The Marlow Murder Club

Robert Thorogood’s two book series have very different settings and casts.

Both series are mystery fiction, but the Marlow Murder Club books place much more emphasis on the relationship between the three amateur investigators, while the Death in Paradise novels center on DI Richard Poole’s professional investigations.

Do You Need to Read Robert Thorogood Books in Order?

You do not need to read the two series together.

The Death in Paradise books form their own four-book sequence, and the Marlow Murder Club books form a separate five-book sequence. There is no requirement to read the Death in Paradise novels before starting The Marlow Murder Club.

Within each series, however, publication order makes the most sense because the recurring characters and their relationships develop from one book to the next.

Should You Start With Death in Paradise or Marlow Murder Club?

That depends on what kind of mystery setting you want.

If the Caribbean setting and DI Richard Poole are what attracted you to Robert Thorogood through the television series, start with A Meditation on Murder and continue through the four Death in Paradise novels.

If you prefer a British cozy mystery with amateur detectives, begin with The Marlow Murder Club. Judith Potts, Suzie, and Becks are introduced in the first book, and their friendship becomes an important part of the series.

You can also read the two series independently because they have different casts and settings.

Robert Thorogood Books by Series

Death in Paradise

1. A Meditation on Murder — 2015
2. The Killing of Polly Carter — 2016
3. Death Knocks Twice — 2017
4. Murder in the Caribbean — 2018

The Marlow Murder Club

1. The Marlow Murder Club — 2021
2. Death Comes to Marlow — 2022
3. The Queen of Poisons — 2024
4. Murder on the Marlow Belle — 2025
5. The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts — 2026

The current bibliography shows nine novels across these two series.

Robert Thorogood Books in Chronological Order

If you want every novel in the order Robert Thorogood published them, follow this list:

1. A Meditation on Murder — 2015
2. The Killing of Polly Carter — 2016
3. Death Knocks Twice — 2017
4. Murder in the Caribbean — 2018
5. The Marlow Murder Club — 2021
6. Death Comes to Marlow — 2022
7. The Queen of Poisons — 2024
8. Murder on the Marlow Belle — 2025
9. The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts — 2026

This order also gives you a useful picture of Thorogood’s development from the Caribbean-set Death in Paradise mysteries to the English amateur-detective stories of the Marlow series.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Robert Thorogood books are there?

As of September 2026, Robert Thorogood has nine novels listed across his two main book series: four Death in Paradise books and five Marlow Murder Club books.

What was Robert Thorogood’s first book?

His first novel was A Meditation on Murder, published in 2015. It is the first book in the Death in Paradise series.

What is the newest Robert Thorogood book?

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is his newest book as of September 2026 and is listed as Book 5 of The Marlow Murder Club.

Is Robert Thorogood the creator of Death in Paradise?

Yes. Thorogood created the BBC television series Death in Paradise and later wrote the four novel adaptations/continuations featuring DI Richard Poole.

Are the Death in Paradise books connected to The Marlow Murder Club?

They are separate book series with different characters and settings. The Death in Paradise novels take place on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, while The Marlow Murder Club is set in Marlow, England.

What order should I read The Marlow Murder Club books?

Read them as follows:

1. The Marlow Murder Club
2. Death Comes to Marlow
3. The Queen of Poisons
4. Murder on the Marlow Belle
5. The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts

The series currently contains five books.

Is The Marlow Murder Club based on a TV series?

The direction is actually the other way around: the television adaptation was based on Thorogood’s novel The Marlow Murder Club. The TV adaptation first aired in 2024.

Final Thoughts

Robert Thorogood’s books give mystery readers two distinct reading experiences: the tropical investigations of Death in Paradise and the character-driven amateur sleuthing of The Marlow Murder Club. Reading each series in publication order is the easiest way to follow its recurring detectives and supporting characters, while the two series themselves can be enjoyed independently. With The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts arriving in 2026, the Marlow series now stands at five books and has become the larger of Thorogood’s two novel series.

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.