If you’re a fan of gripping crime novels laced with dark humor, sharp social commentary, and unforgettable characters, then Chris Brookmyre is an author you need on your radar. Known as a leading voice in Tartan Noir, Brookmyre’s books blend fast-paced thrills with wit and satire, making them a must-read for mystery and thriller enthusiasts. Whether you’re diving into his iconic Jack Parlabane series, exploring the Jasmine Sharp and Catherine McLeod novels, or venturing into his standalone works, this guide will walk you through Chris Brookmyre’s books in order to ensure you don’t miss a single twist. Let’s get started!
Who Is Chris Brookmyre?
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 6, 1968, Chris Brookmyre started his career as a journalist before becoming a full-time novelist. His debut, Quite Ugly One Morning (1996), introduced the world to investigative journalist Jack Parlabane and won the Critics’ First Blood Award for Best First Crime Novel. Since then, Brookmyre has sold over two million books in the UK alone, earning accolades like the McIlvanney Prize and Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year for Black Widow. His ability to mix comedy, politics, and suspense has earned him comparisons to Carl Hiaasen and Elmore Leonard, but his distinctly Scottish voice sets him apart.
Ready to explore his bibliography? Below, we’ve organized all of Chris Brookmyre’s books in order by series and publication date, including his standalone novels and works written under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry with his wife, Dr. Marisa Haetzman.
List of Chris Brookmyre Books in Order of release date
| Release Date | Title | Series | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Quite Ugly One Morning | Jack Parlabane #1 | Debut novel, won Critics’ First Blood Award |
| 1997 | Country of the Blind | Jack Parlabane #2 | |
| 1998 | Not the End of the World | Standalone | |
| 2000 | Boiling a Frog | Jack Parlabane #3 | Won Sherlock Award for Best Comic Detective |
| 2001 | A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away | Angelique de Xavia #1 | |
| 2002 | The Sacred Art of Stealing | Angelique de Xavia #2 | |
| 2003 | Be My Enemy | Jack Parlabane #4 | Won Sherlock Award for Best Comic Detective |
| 2005 | All Fun and Games Until Somebody Loses an Eye | Standalone | Won Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize |
| 2007 | Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks | Jack Parlabane #5 | |
| 2008 | A Snowball in Hell | Angelique de Xavia #3 | |
| 2009 | Pandaemonium | Standalone | |
| 2011 | Where the Bodies Are Buried | Jasmine Sharp #1 | |
| 2012 | When the Devil Drives | Jasmine Sharp #2 | |
| 2013 | Bedlam | Standalone | Adapted into a video game |
| 2013 | Flesh Wounds | Jasmine Sharp #3 | Also published as Bred in the Bone |
| 2014 | The Last Day of Christmas | Jack Parlabane #5.5 | Short story, prelude to Dead Girl Walking |
| 2015 | Dead Girl Walking | Jack Parlabane #6 | |
| 2016 | Black Widow | Jack Parlabane #7 | Won McIlvanney Prize and Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year |
| 2017 | Want You Gone | Jack Parlabane #8 | Also published as The Last Hack |
| 2017 | Siege Mentality | Jasmine Sharp | Short story, also published as The Last Siege of Bothwell Castle in Bloody Scotland anthology |
| 2017 | Places in the Darkness | Standalone | Published as Chris Brookmyre |
| 2018 | The Way of All Flesh | Ambrose Parry #1 | Historical fiction, co-written with Marisa Haetzman |
| 2019 | The Art of Dying | Ambrose Parry #2 | Historical fiction, co-written with Marisa Haetzman |
| 2019 | Fallen Angel | Standalone | |
| 2021 | A Corruption of Blood | Ambrose Parry #3 | Historical fiction, co-written with Marisa Haetzman |
| 2022 | The Cliff House | Standalone | |
| 2022 | Whatever Gets You Through the Night | Standalone | |
| 2023 | Voices of the Dead | Ambrose Parry #4 | Historical fiction, co-written with Marisa Haetzman |
| 2024 | The Cracked Mirror | Standalone | Won McIlvanney Prize 2024 |
| 2025 | The Death of Shame | Ambrose Parry #5 | Historical fiction, co-written with Marisa Haetzman |
| 2026 | Quite Ugly One Evening | Jack Parlabane #9 | Upcoming, announced release |
Jack Parlabane Series: A Wisecracking Journalist’s Adventures
The Jack Parlabane series is Brookmyre’s most famous, featuring a hard-partying, rule-bending investigative journalist who dives headfirst into dangerous situations. Inspired by Ford Prefect from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Parlabane’s irreverent charm and knack for trouble make him a fan favorite. Here’s the series in publication order:
- Quite Ugly One Morning (1996)
Parlabane stumbles upon a gruesome murder in Edinburgh, kicking off a darkly funny investigation into NHS cuts.
This debut novel won the Critics’ First Blood Award and set the tone for Brookmyre’s satirical style. - Country of the Blind (1997)
A political conspiracy unfolds as Parlabane investigates a murder tied to Scotland’s elite.
The stakes get higher, and Parlabane’s wit shines. - Boiling a Frog (2000)
Parlabane lands in prison and uncovers a scandal involving the Scottish Parliament and the Catholic Church.
Winner of the Sherlock Award for Best Comic Detective Novel. - Be My Enemy (2003)
A corporate team-building weekend turns deadly, and Parlabane is caught in the chaos.
Another Sherlock Award winner for its sharp humor. - Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks (2007)
Parlabane tackles a psychic scam that leads to murder.
A wild ride blending skepticism and suspense. - The Last Day of Christmas (2014, Short Story)
A prelude to Dead Girl Walking, this short story sees Parlabane navigating a festive mystery. - Dead Girl Walking (2015)
Parlabane searches for a missing rock star, uncovering dark secrets in the music industry.
A thrilling return for the journalist. - Black Widow (2016)
A twisted tale of deception and murder, this novel won both the McIlvanney Prize and Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. - Want You Gone (2017, aka The Last Hack)
Parlabane dives into the world of cybercrime, facing hackers and corporate conspiracies. - Quite Ugly One Evening (2026, Upcoming)
The next chapter in Parlabane’s saga, promising more of his signature chaos.
Why Read This Series? The Jack Parlabane books are perfect for readers who love fast-paced crime novels with a dose of humor and a touch of political edge. Start with Quite Ugly One Morning and follow Parlabane’s journey through Edinburgh’s underbelly.
Angelique De Xavier Series: High-Stakes Heists and Action
For fans of action-packed thrillers, the Angelique De Xavier series follows a tough, diminutive police officer tackling criminals with flair. Here’s the reading order:
- A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away (2001)
Angelique chases a charismatic art thief during a bank heist gone wrong.
A high-energy start with a cat-and-mouse dynamic. - The Sacred Art of Stealing (2002)
The art thief returns, and Angelique must outsmart him in a game of deception.
Inspired by the Everclear song Unemployed Boyfriend. - A Snowball in Hell (2008)
A serial killer with a flair for theatrics pushes Angelique to her limits.
A gripping finale to the trilogy.
Why Read This Series? If you enjoy heist thrillers with strong female leads and a touch of romance, Angelique’s adventures are a must.
Jasmine Sharp and Catherine McLeod Series: Gritty Investigations
This series pairs Jasmine Sharp, a rookie private detective, with Catherine McLeod, a seasoned police investigator. Their contrasting styles create compelling crime stories:
- Where the Bodies Are Buried (2011)
Jasmine investigates a missing person case that intertwines with Catherine’s murder probe.
Winner of the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award. - When the Devil Drives (2012)
A theatrical mystery leads Jasmine and Catherine to a Highlands estate filled with secrets. - Flesh Wounds (2013, aka Bred in the Bone)
The duo digs into a cold case that hits close to home.
A gritty, emotional conclusion. - Siege Mentality (2017, Short Story, Ebook Only)
Catherine investigates a murder tied to a historical reenactment.
Why Read This Series? This series offers a darker, more grounded take on Brookmyre’s crime fiction, with rich character development and Scottish flair.
Ambrose Parry Series: Historical Crime in Victorian Edinburgh
Under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry, Brookmyre and his wife, Dr. Marisa Haetzman, write historical crime novels featuring Dr. Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. These books blend medical history with suspense:
- The Way of All Flesh (2018)
A medical student and a housemaid uncover a series of murders in 19th-century Edinburgh. - The Art of Dying (2019)
Raven and Fisher face a deadly conspiracy in the medical world. - A Corruption of Blood (2021)
A poisoning case tests the duo’s investigative skills. - Voices of the Dead (2023)
A chilling mystery involving mesmerism and murder. - The Death of Shame (2025)
The latest installment, diving deeper into Edinburgh’s dark underbelly.
Why Read This Series? Perfect for fans of historical fiction and medical thrillers, these novels combine meticulous research with Brookmyre’s storytelling prowess.
Standalone Novels: Diverse and Thrilling
Brookmyre’s standalone novels showcase his versatility, from dark comedies to sci-fi thrillers. Here they are in publication order:
- Not the End of the World (1998)
A fast-paced thriller set in Los Angeles during a film festival. - One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night (1999)
A high school reunion on a floating oil rig turns into a chaotic thriller. - All Fun and Games Until Somebody Loses an Eye (2005)
A grandmother becomes an unlikely hero in a high-stakes adventure.
Winner of the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize. - A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil (2006)
A murder mystery that explores childhood friendships and secrets. - Pandaemonium (2009)
A school retreat collides with a secret military experiment. - Bedlam (2013)
A sci-fi thriller that inspired a video game written by Brookmyre. - Places in the Darkness (2017, as Chris Brookmyre)
A murder mystery on a futuristic space station. - Fallen Angel (2019)
A family’s dark secrets unravel during a holiday in Portugal. - The Cut (2021)
A former convict and a film editor team up to solve a decades-old mystery. - The Cliff House (2022)
A hen party on a remote island turns deadly in this Agatha Christie-style mystery. - The Cracked Mirror (2024)
A unique blend of a Scottish sleuth and an LAPD detective solving a crime.
Winner of the McIlvanney Prize 2024.
Why Read These? Brookmyre’s standalone novels offer something for everyone, from laugh-out-loud capers to thought-provoking mysteries.
Short Stories and Collections
- Bampot Central (Short Story)
*A darkly funny tale that was shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Macallan Short Story Dagger. - Crimespotting (2009, Anthology)
*Features a Brookmyre story alongside works by authors like Ian Rankin and Kate Atkinson. - 24 Stories (2018, Anthology)
Includes a Brookmyre story inspired by the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Why You Should Read Chris Brookmyre
Brookmyre’s novels are a masterclass in blending humor, suspense, and social commentary. His recurring characters, like Jack Parlabane, Angelique De Xavier, and Jasmine Sharp, feel like old friends, while his standalone works push the boundaries of crime fiction. Whether you’re drawn to the gritty streets of Glasgow, the intrigue of Victorian Edinburgh, or the chaos of a futuristic space station, there’s a Brookmyre book for you.
Pro Tip: If you’re new to Brookmyre, start with Quite Ugly One Morning for its award-winning introduction to Jack Parlabane, or try Black Widow for a standalone masterpiece that showcases his mature storytelling.
Where to Find Chris Brookmyre Books
You can grab Brookmyre’s books from major retailers like Amazon, Waterstones, or Better World Books. Many are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. Check out BookNotification.com for updates on new releases and to track your reading list.
Stay Updated on New Releases
Brookmyre’s latest book, The Cracked Mirror (July 2024), is a must-read, and Quite Ugly One Evening is slated for 2026. Follow Brookmyre on Amazon or subscribe to newsletters like BookNotification.com to stay in the loop.
What’s your favorite Chris Brookmyre book? Drop a comment below and let us know which series or standalone you love most! Happy reading!
