Joy Ellis Books in Order

Joy Ellis Books in Order

Who is Joy Ellis

Joy Ellis is a British author of mystery, thriller and suspense novels. She was born in Kent in England where she trained as an apprentice florist in London before eventually starting her own flower shop several years later. She worked there for 14 years, then worked on a number of strange and interesting jobs before becoming a Bookshop manager; something that inspired her to write crime fiction. Ellis took part in a writers workshop in Greece and was encouraged by her tutor, Sue Townsend, to begin writing seriously. She now lives in the Lincolnshire Fens with her partner Jacqueline, who is a retired police officer, and and four Springer spaniels and one little rescue, Breton spaniel.

Her books have so far registered over 2 million sales.

Where to Start with Joy Ellis Books

If you’re looking for series’ of interesting murder mystery books that follow deep characters in parts of the UK Fens then almost any of her books will fit the requirements. But we recommend to start with her first and most well known series. The DI Nikki Galena or “On the Fens” series. This will give you a great introduction to her writing and the locations and feel of her work. Then the Jackson and Evans series is, in some ways, what takes it to the next level and you can see she had really started to hone her craft compared to some of her earlier work. Then we believe the Detective Matt Ballard Books with her standalone novel, Guide Star, to be read at any point. But as these series are all great in themselves, we think you could literally start anywhere but you’ll get the most from the books by at least reading each individually series in order. We have a little more about the order of specific series here:

DI Nikki Galena Books in Order

Jackman and Evans Books in Order

The Order

DI Nikki Galena Books Reading Order

1. Crime on the Fens (2010)
2. Shadow Over the Fens (2011)
3. Hunted on the Fens (2014)
4. Killer on the Fens (2016)
5. Stalker on the Fens (2016)
6. Captive on the Fens (2017)
7. Buried on the Fens (2017)
8. Thieves On The Fens (2017)
9. Fire on the Fens (2018)
10. Darkness on the Fens (2019)
11. Hidden on the Fens (2020)
12. Secrets on the Fens (2021)
13. Fear on the Fens (2021)
14. Graves On the Fens (2022)

As with most of Joy Ellis’ books, you don’t need to read them in order. You’ll generally get a solid, contained story within each novel. But if you’re looking for the complete story with all facets of each character fully explored, then the following order is the way to go. This is both the chronological order and the publication or, so if you’re looking for just this series then this is the way to read it!

Crime on the Fens (2010) (previously known as Mask Wars)

108,000 words, 285 pages, 7 hrs and 13 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.24 out of 5 on Goodreads

In a town plagued by violent masked gangs, a young female student vanishes in the marshes. Detectives Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter must collaborate with a cunning criminal to rescue her. As they dig deeper, they uncover a malevolent threat beyond their imagination.

Shadow over the Fens (2011) (previously known as Shadowbreaker)

110,000 words, 285 pages, 7 hrs and 21 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.35 out of 5 on Goodreads

In Greensborough town, a man is discovered brutally executed on wasteland, resurrecting painful memories for DS Joseph Easter. As he grapples with the resurfacing nightmare, it jeopardizes his career, sanity, and possibly his life. The gripping climax sees even Nikki Galena questioning DS Easter as he races against time to save someone dear to him.

Hunted on the Fens (2016)

137,000 words, 303 pages, 9 hrs and 11 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.39 out of 5 on Goodreads

DI Nikki Galena faces a relentless and ruthless adversary bent on harming her and her team. To protect themselves, they must uncover the identity of the vengeful foe.

Killer on the Fens (2016)

98,000 words, 265 pages, 6 hrs and 34 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.39 out of 5 on Goodreads

DI Nikki Galena is compelled to fulfil her father’s dying request, unravelling the enigma surrounding the elusive figure known as Eve. Simultaneously, a deceased drug dealer is uncovered on a supposedly haunted airfield. The intertwining paths of these mysteries will unveil a staggering revelation in Nikki’s career, placing her entire team in perilous jeopardy.

Stalker on the Fens (2016)

123,000 words, 311 pages, 8 hrs and 13 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.43 out of 5 on Goodreads

DI Nikki Galena’s dear friend Helen Brook endures a traumatic accident, leaving her trapped in a collapsed cellar. Following her arduous recovery, Helen experiences haunting flashbacks of a man who allegedly shared the cellar with her and confessed to a murder. However, despite her vivid recollections, there’s no trace of this mysterious man to be found.

Captive on the Fens (2017)

122,000 words, 317 pages, 8 hrs and 10 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.45 out of 5 on Goodreads

In a remote fen barn, a young woman’s lifeless body is discovered, bearing signs of brutal violence, including the removal of one of her fingers. DI Nikki Galena must uncover the identity of the perpetrator and their motive for such heinous acts. Her race against time is to prevent further suffering at the hands of this violent individual.

Buried on the Fens (2017)

131,000 words, 333 pages, 8 hrs and 44 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.38 out of 5 on Goodreads

A skeleton is unearthed in an unofficial grave within a churchyard, revealing a murder from decades past. Simultaneously, Detective Nikki Galena and her team are immersed in the investigation of the savage murder of local businesswoman Madeline Prospero. Madeline was part of a secretive club known as The Briar Patch, but the investigation hits a roadblock as suspects remain elusive and truth remains hidden.

Thieves on the Fens (2017)

114,000 words, 309 pages, 7 hrs and 38 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.41 out of 5 on Goodreads

DI Nikki Galena faces a chilling challenge as she receives a series of anonymous calls predicting the location, time, and victim of impending deaths, all concealed in a cryptic villainous code. Nikki and her team must decipher these riddles to unmask the source of these threats. Meanwhile, the fens grapple with a wave of “designer burglaries,” suggesting a new gang of thieves operating on a bespoke criminal agenda.

Fire on the Fens (2018)

132,000 words, 313 pages, 8 hrs and 51 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.44 out of 5 on Goodreads

The fens are ablaze, and Detective Nikki Galena finds herself in a tense cat-and-mouse game with a relentless arsonist. Initially targeting homes and businesses, the arsonist’s campaign escalates when a body is discovered at one of the fire scenes. As the flames continue to rage, each blaze claims a life, but the victims seem unrelated and lead seemingly impeccable lives, leaving Nikki to grapple with the puzzle of their connection.

Darkness on the Fens (2019)

155,000 words, 344 pages, 10 hrs and 22 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.37 out of 5 on Goodreads

Greenborough is abuzz with festival-goers converging for the annual Dark Greenborough Festival, a three-day celebration of local folklore, superstitions, and the macabre. Unbeknownst to the public, a warning has reached the police, foretelling a heightened threat in Greenborough this year. The ominous anonymous letter concludes with the Latin phrase, “Mors certa, hora incerta: Death is certain, the hour uncertain,” adding an eerie undertone to the festivities.

Hidden On the Fens (2020)

171,000 words, 372 pages, 11 hrs and 27 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.52 out of 5 on Goodreads

The farm owner’s wife has been receiving disturbing pagan artifacts, notably a witch’s knife, raising questions about their purpose as warnings or messages. In their search of the cottage, Joseph and his daughter stumble upon an old satchel containing photographs of a young woman, Jennifer Cowley, who vanished fifteen years ago. Her story involves a haunting twist – she had been stalked by a young man who was convicted of her murder, despite her body never being recovered. However, when DI Nikki Galena investigates the cottage, she unravels an even more horrifying secret.

Secrets On the Fens (2021)

164,000 words, 352 pages, 10 hrs and 58 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.42 out of 5 on Goodreads

Under the moonlit night, two young bodies are found in the woods, seemingly in a lover’s embrace, with the young man holding a red rose, suggesting a tragic suicide pact. However, Detective Nikki Galena and DS Joseph Easter’s closer examination unveils a darker truth. These ill-fated individuals, dubbed Romeo and Juliet, were not victims of suicide but of murder, having been killed elsewhere and then placed in the woods. The mystery deepens as they strive to uncover the chilling motive behind this staged scene.  

Fear On the Fens (2021)

167,000 words, 362 pages, 11 hrs and 8 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.43 out of 5 on Goodreads

In the serene gardens of Shelley House, a gruesome revelation unfolds as a charred hand hangs over the edge of a wheelbarrow, the sickening odor of burnt flesh filling the atmosphere. Detective Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter are summoned to the scene to commence their investigation. Their task: locate a man who’s been missing for twenty years and delve into the painful history of a fractured family before more lives are claimed by the past.

Graves On the Fens (2022)

162,000 words, 404 pages, 10 hrs and 50 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.61 out of 5 on Goodreads

One morning, Detective Nikki Galena receives an old-fashioned airmail envelope with a chilling message: “You failed me.” A second envelope arrives at her home, bearing the same message but now accompanied by four names of local women who went missing: Alexandra Cornfield, Ruth Baker, Bethany Lyons, and Leanne Delaney, none of whom were found.

A third letter, delivered in an unsettling manner, leads to the discovery of a body in a shallow grave on the Fens. This grim revelation propels DI Nikki and her partner, Detective Joseph Easter, into a perplexing murder investigation that forces them to unravel a web of mysteries to uncover the unsettling truth behind these events.

DI Rowan Jackman & DS Maria Evans Books Reading Order

1. The Murderer’s Son (2014)
2. Their Lost Daughters (2017)
3. The Fourth Friend (2017)
4. The Guilty Ones (2018)
5. The Stolen Boys (2018)
6. The Patient Man (2019)
7. They Disappeared (2020)
8. The Night Thief (2021)
9. Solace House (2022)

Like with the DI Nikki Galena series, you don’t need to read this series in order either. But you get more from it if you start from the beginning. The above order is the publication order but Audible also has a recommended listening order. We’ve written more about that in our look at the best order to read the Jackman and Evens books in here: Jackman & Evans Books in Order.

The Murderer’s Son (2014)

142,000 words, 333 pages, 9 hrs and 30 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.12 out of 5 on Goodreads

Two decades ago, a farmer and his wife met a gruesome end at the hands of a ruthless serial killer. In the present day, a woman suffers a brutal stabbing in her upscale marshside home. Shortly thereafter, a man named Daniel Kinder arrives at Saltern police station, claiming responsibility for the murder. However, DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans from the Fenland Constabulary uncover that Daniel’s confession barely scratches the surface. With no recollection of his early years, Daniel is consumed by a relentless quest to uncover the identity of his biological mother, revealing a complex and enigmatic past.

Their Lost Daughters (2017)

146,000 words, 331 pages, 9 hrs and 46 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.25 out of 5 on Goodreads

Toni is discovered in a disoriented state, wandering the muddy fields of the fens, having been drugged and her survival uncertain. She claims to have witnessed her friend Emily being forcibly taken from a party, but no one knows who Emily is or whether she’s still alive. Simultaneously, the lifeless body of another girl is found drowned on a secluded beach. DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans face an overwhelming challenge as they strive to apprehend those responsible for these harrowing crimes and deliver justice.

The Fourth Friend (2017)

119,000 words, 265 pages, 7 hrs and 56 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.16 out of 5 on Goodreads

Police detective Carter McLean is the sole survivor of a plane crash that claims the lives of his four closest friends. Upon his return to work, he battles overwhelming guilt and nightmarish flashbacks. Eighteen months prior to the crash, Suzanne Holland vanished, leaving behind a room with signs of blood but few other leads. Suzanne happened to be the wife of one of Carter’s four best friends.

DS Marie Evans becomes the sole confidant for Carter, but as he grapples with his inner demons, even she begins to question his ability to cope and whether he may be teetering on the brink of losing his sanity.

The Guilty Ones (2018)

143,000 words, 311 pages, 9 hrs and 35 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.26 out of 5 on Goodreads

DI Jackman’s sister-in-law, Sarah, vanishes and tragically takes her own life by throwing herself into the river in London, leaving those who knew her baffled by the reasons behind her actions. She appeared to have a contented home life with two cherished sons. DI Jackman and DI Evans embark on an investigation into Sarah’s life, only for Jackman to realize that he knew very little about her past.

As they delve deeper into Sarah’s history, a startling revelation emerges – a woman in a nearby village met a similar fate under suspiciously parallel circumstances, casting a shadow of mystery and intrigue over their investigation.

The Stolen Boys (2018)

172,000 words, 373 pages, 11 hrs and 29 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.32 out of 5 on Goodreads

A crime wave has swept through town, with a particular focus on the highly coveted streetwear brand Hybird X. This luxury clothing line, worth a fortune and reselling for astronomical prices, has triggered a series of burglaries, street muggings involving young people, and even a tragic loss of life, all for the sake of these prized garments.

As the chaos escalates, another young man’s lifeless body is discovered amidst a pile of refuse. Simultaneously, illegal steroids flood the streets, posing additional threats to the community. Amidst this turmoil, ominous activities stir in the marshes, raising concerns about a deeper and darker undercurrent at play.

The Patient Man (2019)

153,000 words, 322 pages, 10 hrs and 14 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.35 out of 5 on Goodreads

Detective Inspector Rowan Jackman’s peaceful domestic life takes a sudden and ominous turn as his arch-nemesis, serial killer Alistair Ashcroft, resurfaces in town, determined to settle old scores. Ashcroft initiates a chilling exchange with DS Marie Evans through a sinister text message, marking the start of a deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

However, despite Ashcroft’s taunts, his whereabouts remain a mystery. In a county teeming with police actively searching for him, Ashcroft manages to evade capture, leaving authorities and Jackman himself perplexed by his elusive presence.

They Disappeared (2020)

153,000 words, 340 pages, 10 hrs and 14 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.34 out of 5 on Goodreads

Detectives Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans receive troubling news that their IT supervisor, Orla Cracken (Orac), has gone missing. Their suspicion of foul play arises quickly, as Orac’s past as a former undercover field agent for the government hints at a complex background.

Simultaneously, DC Robbie Melton uncovers a puzzling case involving two urban explorers who’ve vanished while exploring abandoned structures. One of them disappeared at a disused airfield, raising questions about whether it had military or civilian connections, adding another layer of mystery to the investigation.

The Night Thief (2021)

167,000 words, 340 pages, 11 hrs and 10 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.27 out of 5 on Goodreads

In the dead of night, an intruder infiltrates homes, but their theft is peculiar – they only take photos of children. Detectives Jackman and Evans embark on a perplexing quest to apprehend this highly unusual burglar, pondering whether they are a mere thief on a power trip or if something more sinister lurks beneath the surface.

The case takes a dark turn when an elderly woman tragically plummets to her death after an encounter with an intruder in her home. The question lingers: Was it truly an accident, or did someone orchestrate her demise? As they delve deeper, it becomes apparent that a web of enigmatic intruders haunts the Fens, raising unsettling questions about their motives and intentions.

Solace House (2022)

179,000 words, 354 pages, 11 hrs and 56 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.47 out of 5 on Goodreads

Holly Stewart moved her family to Solace House, hoping for a new beginning, unaware of its grim history—a murder had occurred there. But their fresh start takes a dark turn as her husband loses his job, her children face bullying at school, and an ominous presence prowls their garden at night. It’s clear someone wants them out.

Detective Jackman, eager to assist, finds himself entangled in a twenty-year-old cold case: the brutal murder of a young woman, with her head never found. As he tries to help the Stewarts, he’s drawn deeper into the mysteries lurking within Solace House, connecting the present to a gruesome past.

Detective Matt Ballard Books

1. Beware the Past (2017)
2. Five Bloody Hearts (2019)
3. The Dying Light (2020)
4. Marshlight (2021)
5. Trick of the Night (2022)

Beware the Past (2017)

165,000 words, 369 pages, 11 hrs and 3 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.35 out of 5 on Goodreads

Detective Matt Ballard’s early career was marked by a series of disturbing murders in the desolate Gibbet Fen. When the prime suspect was killed in a hit-and-run, the killings ceased, but Matt was never convinced that the true perpetrator had been apprehended.

Over two decades later, Matt receives an unsettling photograph in an unmarked envelope: an image from the Gibbet Fen crime scene taken before the murder occurred. The sinister implication is that the killer has resurfaced, or perhaps it’s a twisted copycat with a vendetta against Matt, determined to shatter his life and reputation.

As mind games are played with the detective, those around him find themselves in grave danger, leaving Matt to confront his darkest fears and resolve the case that has haunted him for years.

Five Bloody Hearts (2019)

149,000 words, 335 pages, 9 hrs and 56 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.34 out of 5 on Goodreads

Grace Repton, an attractive older woman, approaches Detective Matt Ballard with a chilling revelation: her fiancé, the notorious serial killer Jeremy Reader, has informed her that he has an acolyte planning to commit murders in the same horrifying fashion as he did. Despite being securely confined in a high-security prison, Reader now claims to have reformed and wishes to assist the police.

Matt faces a perplexing dilemma. Can he trust the word of a serial killer like Reader, or the unusual claims of his soon-to-be wife, Grace? The question at the heart of the matter is whether the love of a good woman can genuinely transform a person as inherently malevolent as a serial killer. Matt must navigate this complex web of trust, deceit, and danger to prevent further bloodshed.

The Dying Light (2020)

135,000 words, 310 pages, 9 hrs and 1 min to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.27 out of 5 on Goodreads

Despite Detective Matt Ballard’s retirement, the fens remain far from quiet, presenting him with new challenges. An elderly lady, Emilia Swain, becomes the victim of vandalism, with her cottage marred by hateful graffiti. The motive behind targeting someone seemingly harmless like her remains a mystery.

Matt’s close friends, Will and Kate, had hoped for a fresh start at Holland House, but Kate’s mental state takes a disturbing turn. She becomes consumed by the property’s tragic history and an old doll found in the garden, raising the question of whether the past is returning to haunt the present owners.

Matt and Liz, both former detectives, are determined to assist their friends and neighbours, but the challenge lies in helping those who may not be willing to accept help. Amidst these tangled mysteries, they must navigate a complex web of secrets and traumas.

Marshlight (2021)

191,000 words, 396 pages, 12 hrs and 45 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.36 out of 5 on Goodreads

When Liz’s cousin Christie visits, she inexplicably develops a strong aversion to Gina, the owner of the local bookshop. Christie finds herself puzzled by Gina’s behaviour and believes that she’s manipulating those around her. Her suspicions provoke questions about whether she’s uncovering something genuinely perilous or inadvertently alienating her newfound friends.

Initially, Christie’s concerns fall on deaf ears, but when another friend vanishes in the eerie mist of the Fen marshes one night, doubt begins to creep in. Now, it’s up to Matt and Liz to unravel the truth and piece together the puzzle before more lives are placed in jeopardy.

Trick of the Night (2022)

156,000 words, 338 pages, 10 hrs and 25 mins to read.
Published by Joffe Books
4.48 out of 5 on Goodreads

Photography student Toby Unsworth stumbles upon an ideal nighttime shooting location on a cobbled street in the old district of Fenfleet. However, when he reviews his images later, he becomes convinced that he’s captured a woman’s face in the window of an abandoned building. Seeking confirmation, he invites his housemate Alex to examine the photographs. Tragically, both Toby and Alex succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning just two days later, officially declared an unfortunate accident.

However, Alex’s mother harbors deep suspicions and refuses to accept the official explanation. She enlists the help of Matt and Liz to dig deeper and uncover the truth behind the deaths of her son and Toby, as she believes there’s more to the story than meets the eye.

Non Series Book

• Guide Star (2017)

And then Joy Ellis currently has one standalone novel, called Guide Star.

Guide Star

121,000 words, 269 pages, 8 hrs and 4 mins to read
Published by Joffe Books
4.37 out of 5 on Goodreads

Stella North, a promising police officer, faces a life-altering moment when she’s struck by a gunman’s bullets, forcing her to abandon the career she’s deeply passionate about. Her resilience is fueled by her grandmother Beth, an extraordinary woman at 70 who runs marathons and holds a mysterious past that Stella knows little about.

In Stella’s recovery, Beth enlists the help of her friend Michael, whose connection to Beth runs deeper than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Stella’s ex-husband, Edward, and her former police partner, Robbie, are eager to assist, but Stella’s emotional barriers prove challenging to overcome, and they grapple with their own problems.

Her old friends from her Urbex days, where they explored abandoned buildings, offer a glimmer of hope for the uncertain future ahead, as Stella endeavors to rebuild her life in the wake of tragedy.

Overall

Joy Ellis has quickly become a household name due to her quick and yet deep mystery writing. The unique settings, memorable characters and fascinating scenarios make her one of our favourite authors right now and we’ve found ourselves binging the audiobooks, many of which are free on Audible right now!

Feel free to check out more of Joy Ellis’ work on her website.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Happy reading!

Tally Count:

Overall Words: 4,185,000

Overall Page Count: 9,241

Overall Reading Time: 279 hrs and 43 mins

For the same but different:

Hercule Poirot Books in Order

Miss Marple Books in Order

DI Bliss Books in Order

Things to Note:

1. Word count is an approximation.
2. Amount of pages may differ due to different publications, font style and/or size etc.
3. Time spent reading is an approximation based on the word count and the average reading time. The average reader will read 250 WPM (Words Per Minute).
4. This is the original publishers of the books.
5. The Current GoodReads score at time of writing.