Adam Dalgliesh books in order A series by P. D. James
The Adam Dalgliesh series by P. D. James has 14 books, from Cover Her Face (Dec 1962) to The Private Patient (2008). Read it in order, starting with Cover Her Face.
Reading order: 1 Cover Her Face (1962) · 2 A Mind to Murder (1963) · 3 Unnatural Causes (1962) · 4 Shroud for a Nightingale (1971) · 5 The Black Tower (1975) · 6 Death of an Expert Witness (1977) · 7 A Taste for Death (1986) · 8 Devices and Desires (1989) · 9 Original Sin (1994) · 10 A Certain Justice (1997) · … all 14 below
Updated September 2026
All 14 Adam Dalgliesh books in order
- 1.
Cover Her Face (Dec 1962)
- 2.
A Mind to Murder (1963)
- 3.
Unnatural Causes (1962)
- 4.
Shroud for a Nightingale (1971)
- 5.
The Black Tower (1975)
- 6.
Death of an Expert Witness (1977)
- 7.
A Taste for Death (1986)
- 8.
Devices and Desires (Oct 1989)
- 9.
Original Sin (Nov 1994)
- 10.
A Certain Justice (Oct 1997)
- 11.
Death in Holy Orders (2001)
- 12.
The Murder Room (2003)
- 13.
The Lighthouse (2005)
- 14.
The Private Patient (2008)
Adam Dalgliesh FAQ
- How many Adam Dalgliesh books are there?
- There are 14 Adam Dalgliesh books, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read the Adam Dalgliesh books in?
- In publication order, starting with Cover Her Face (Dec 1962): 1 Cover Her Face (1962) · 2 A Mind to Murder (1963) · 3 Unnatural Causes (1962) · 4 Shroud for a Nightingale (1971) · 5 The Black Tower (1975) · 6 Death of an Expert Witness (1977) · … all 14 below.
- What is the first Adam Dalgliesh book?
- Cover Her Face (Dec 1962).
- What is the latest Adam Dalgliesh book?
- The Private Patient (2008).
- Is the Adam Dalgliesh series finished?
- There have been no new Adam Dalgliesh books since 2008; P. D. James died in 2014.
Sources: series order and dates from Wikidata and Open Library. Last updated September 2026.