Josephine Tey published 12 novels and 1 play, beginning with The Man in the Queue (1929). 6 feature Alan, Inspector Grant. The best-known is The Daughter of Time (1951).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Josephine Tey
Start here
The Daughter of Time
Josephine Tey's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Kif (1929)
Miss Pym Disposes (1946)
Brat Farrar (1949)
Four, Five, and Six by Tey (1952)
The Privateer (1952)
The Expensive Halo (1967)
Plays in order
Richard of Bordeaux (1933)
About Josephine Tey
Elizabeth MacKintosh, known by the pen name Josephine Tey, was a Scottish author. She is known for her Inspector Alan Grant series, which started with The Man in the Queue (1929). Her 1951 novel The Daughter of Time, from the same series, a detective work investigating the death of the Princes in the Tower, was chosen by the Crime Writers' Association in 1990 as the greatest crime novel of all time. Her first play Richard of Bordeaux, written under another pseudonym, Gordon Daviot, starred John Gielgud in its successful West End run.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Josephine Tey FAQ
- How many books has Josephine Tey written?
- Josephine Tey published 12 novels and 1 play that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Josephine Tey's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Daughter of Time.
- What is Josephine Tey's last book?
- A Shilling for Candles (Inspector Alan Grant #2) (1953).
- What is Josephine Tey's most famous book?
- The Daughter of Time (1951) is Josephine Tey's most widely read book.
Authors like Josephine Tey
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.