Although the Dublin Murder Squad books do not need to be read in order, readers would get the fullest experience by reading them in publication order, which matches their chronological order, by following this sequence:[1-7]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
In the Woods | 2007[8] | Establishes the murder squad and introduces Cassie Maddox. |
| 2 |
|
The Likeness | 2008[9] | Continues Cassie’s story after the first book. |
| 3 |
|
Faithful Place | 2010[10] | Moves Frank Mackey to a central detective role. |
| 4 |
|
Broken Harbor | 2012[11-12] | Follows a separate case with a new lead detective. |
| 5 |
|
The Secret Place | 2014[13-14] | Brings Stephen Moran, Holly Mackey, and Antoinette Conway into focus. |
| 6 |
|
The Trespasser | 2016[15-16] | Continues the Stephen Moran and Antoinette Conway partnership. |
1. In the Woods
In the Woods (2007)[8] introduces the Dublin murder-squad framework through Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox, whose investigation of a child’s murder in Knocknaree intersects with Rob’s childhood trauma. It is the best starting point because it establishes the professional world, the investigative tone, and Cassie’s place in the series before she becomes central to the next book.[2]
It also sets up themes and relationships that echo throughout the series.[2]
2. The Likeness
The Likeness (2008)[9] shifts the focus to Cassandra Maddox after the events that removed her from the murder squad. Its central investigation is a new case built around an undercover assignment and a victim who physically resembles Cassie.[3]
The book may stand on its own, but it gains context from Cassie’s earlier partnership, career damage, and relationship with Sam O’Neill.[3]
3. Faithful Place
Faithful Place (2010)[10] centers on Frank Mackey, previously connected to Cassie through undercover work, and turns the series toward his personal history. The investigation begins with the discovery of evidence tied to a vanished former girlfriend and draws Frank back into his estranged family.[4]
It features a self-contained murder case and introduces Stephen Moran, who becomes more important later in the series.[4]
4. Broken Harbor
Broken Harbor (2012)[11-12] follows Detective Mick Kennedy and rookie partner Richie Curran as they investigate a violent family case in a half-abandoned housing estate. It is more separate from the immediate Cassie-Frank-Stephen line than the previous books.[5]
Reading this book in publication order would still keep the reader inside the squad’s broader progression and changing roster.[5]
5. The Secret Place
The Secret Place (2014)[13-14] moves Stephen Moran beyond his earlier role and pairs him with Antoinette Conway on a school murder case. The case also involves Holly Mackey, linking this book back to Frank’s family history without making reading Faithful Place beforehand a requirement.[6]
Its alternating strands of school and investigation make it a bridge between the Mackey material and the final Conway-Moran partnership.[6]
6. The Trespasser
The Trespasser (2016)[15-16] continues with Antoinette Conway and Stephen Moran on the Murder Squad, following their investigation into the death of Aislinn Murray. The case is separate, but the working relationship between Conway and Moran matters more here in this novel.[7]
Reading The Secret Place first gives context for their partnership and Conway’s place in the squad.[7]
References
- Dublin Murder Squad. Penguin Random House.
- In the Woods. Penguin Books. ISBN: 9781101147153.
- The Likeness. Viking Penguin. ISBN: 9780670018864.
- Faithful Place. Penguin Books. ISBN: 9780143119494.
- Broken Harbor. Hodder. ISBN: 9780340977651.
- The Secret Place. Hodder. ISBN: 9781444755619.
- The Trespasser. Hodder. ISBN: 9781444755664.
- In the Woods. Penguin Books. Copyright page. ISBN: 9781101147153.
- The Likeness. Viking Penguin. Copyright page. ISBN: 9780670018864.
- Faithful Place by Tana French: 9780143119494. Penguin Random House.
- Broken Harbour by Tana French. Hachette UK.
- Broken Harbour: Dublin Murder Squad: 4. Winner of the LA Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction Book of the Year by Tana French – Books. Hachette Australia.
- The Secret Place by Tana French. Hachette UK.
- The Secret Place: Dublin Murder Squad: 5 by Tana French – Books. Hachette Australia.
- The Trespasser by Tana French. Hachette UK.
- The Trespasser: Dublin Murder Squad: 6. The gripping Richard & Judy Book Club 2017 thriller by Tana French – Books. Hachette Australia.