Reading order · 7 books · 2015 to 2021 · Set in London
Tennison Books in Order
The Tennison novels go back to Jane Tennison’s early career, from a young probationer in 1970s Hackney to a detective in the 1980s.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Series facts
- Books
- 7
- Published
- 2015 to 2021
- First book
- Tennison
- Latest
- Unholy Murder (2021)
- Setting
- Set in London
The reading order
Every Tennison book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
7 books · Set in London
- 1Tennison2015With Jane TennisonIn 1973, Jane Tennison is a young probationary police officer in Hackney when a young woman is found strangled, and a gang is planning a major robbery.Buy on Amazon
- 2Hidden Killers2016With Jane TennisonJane Tennison, newly promoted to detective, investigates a death that was ruled an accident.Buy on Amazon
- 3Good Friday2017With Jane TennisonIn 1976, the IRA is bombing London, and Jane Tennison is a witness to an attack at Covent Garden tube station.Buy on Amazon
- 4Murder Mile2018With Jane TennisonIn 1979, during the Winter of Discontent, two women are found murdered in Peckham.Buy on Amazon
- 5The Dirty Dozen2019With Jane TennisonIn 1980, Jane Tennison joins the Flying Squad, an all-male unit that hunts armed robbers.Buy on Amazon
- 6Blunt Force2020With Jane TennisonJane Tennison, now a detective sergeant in the West End, investigates the brutal murder of a theatrical agent.Buy on Amazon
- 7Unholy Murder2021With Jane TennisonA coffin unearthed on a building site contains the body of a nun.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Read in order, starting with Tennison. They can be read before or after Prime Suspect.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Jane Tennison | Spencer Gibbs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tennison | LLead | |
| 2 Hidden Killers | LLead | MMajor |
| 3 Good Friday | LLead | ·Minor |
| 4 Murder Mile | LLead | MMajor |
| 5 The Dirty Dozen | LLead | MMajor |
| 6 Blunt Force | LLead | MMajor |
| 7 Unholy Murder | LLead | ·Minor |
Characters in the Tennison books
2 characters from Lynda La Plante’s chart, with the number of Tennison books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| Jane TennisonMetropolitan Police officer, from probationer to Detective Chief Superintendent | 7 | Tennison 2015 |
| Spencer GibbsDetective Constable, Jane’s colleague in the 1970s | 6 | Hidden Killers 2016 |
Crossovers with Lynda La Plante’s other series
- Prime Suspect: Jane Tennison also appears in 3 of its books