The Recurring Cast
Character guide · 12 books · 1947 to 1993 · Set in London

Michael Gilbert

Crime and mysteryThriller and suspensePolice proceduralGolden AgeSpy and espionage

Michael Gilbert, a London solicitor who wrote on his daily train, was one of Britain's most versatile crime writers. Patrick Petrella is a young detective in a south London division; Inspector Hazlerigg solves the classic Smallbone Deceased, set in a solicitors' office.

Best estimate, compiled from series guides, publisher descriptions and reviews where available, and from memory otherwise. Book level only, not chapter level. Minor includes cameos and brief references. Each book carries a confidence rating in its tooltip.

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Who appears in which book

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LLeadMMajor·MinorHas a note
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Michael Gilbert books in order

Each series in publication order, with its lead characters. Where the story runs in a different order, switch to Story order. Crossover books are marked and listed under their main series. Use My books to track what you have read.

Patrick Petrella

4 books · Set in LondonPolice procedural
  1. 1Blood and Judgement1959With Patrick PetrellaBuy on Amazon
  2. 2Petrella of Q1977With Patrick PetrellaBuy on Amazon
  3. 3Young Petrella1988With Patrick PetrellaBuy on Amazon
  4. 4Roller-Coaster1993With Patrick PetrellaBuy on Amazon

Inspector Hazlerigg

6 books · Set in LondonGolden AgePolice procedural
  1. 1Close Quarters1947With Inspector HazleriggBuy on Amazon
  2. 2They Never Looked Inside1948With Inspector HazleriggBuy on Amazon
  3. 3The Doors Open1949With Inspector HazleriggBuy on Amazon
  4. 4Smallbone Deceased1950With Inspector HazleriggBuy on Amazon
  5. 5Death Has Deep Roots1951With Inspector HazleriggBuy on Amazon
  6. 6Fear to Tread1953With Inspector HazleriggBuy on Amazon

Calder and Behrens

2 books · Set in LondonSpy and espionage
  1. 1Game Without Rules1967With Daniel Calder and Samuel BehrensBuy on Amazon
  2. 2Mr Calder and Mr Behrens1982With Daniel Calder and Samuel BehrensBuy on Amazon

Characters

5 recurring and key characters, with the book each one first appears in.

Patrick Petrella

Inspector Hazlerigg

Calder and Behrens