Alan Hunter Books In Order

Publication Order of Inspector George Gently Books

British author Alan Hunter was famous for his series of George Gently novels focusing on the eponymous English detective. Well regarded in his lifetime, he offered a lot to help progress the genre forwards as a whole. Not only that, but he also had a television series created adapting it as well.

Early and Personal Life

Born in Hoveton, Norfolk, on the 25th of June, 1922, Alan Hunter lived a long and illustrious career until the 26th of February, 2005. With his character of Gently residing in East Anglia, he used the area around him to influence his work. Going to school and serving in the Royal Air Force, he’d continually come back to the place he called home. With his provincial background, he used this to establish both the world and the tone of what was going to be the universe of George Gently. Leaving school at the young age of fourteen, he went to work for his father on his farm. He still retained a passion for literature though, as he continued to educate himself developing both his style and his tone. Taking time out to sail in the Norfolk Broads, he enjoyed dinghy sailing as a means of leisure, all whilst simultaneously working for the local newspaper providing natural history notes. During this time he married his wife Adelaide Cooper, whilst publishing his George Gently novels between the years of 1955 to 1998. After this he retired to Brundall leaving behind a long and extensive legacy in his wake.

Writing Career

During the years ranging between 1955 to 1998 when he finally retired, Alan Hunter would his George Gently novels, with an output of one being released every year, each including a new case for the eponymous detective. To start with though he would write for the local newspaper, where he would submit snippets and notes on the local wildlife as he provided natural history notes, along with some poetry of his which was also to be published during his time within the Royal Air Force. He took served for the duration of the Second World War, but he was to still publish some of his poetry during this time.

1950 was to be the year he opened his own bookstore in the area of Maddermarket, thus expanding upon his passion for literature, as he surrounded himself in books and the written word. This followed on from his career managing the book department of the antiquarian section of the Charles Cubitt based in Norwich. Taking this particular position directly after the war, he used it to begin his interest in books, thus starting him on the road to becoming a writer.

Once he created George Gently in 1955, his creation quickly began to consume much of his working life as he built a full franchise from the protagonist. Over time not only readers, but the media also began to take an interest too, as he managed to gain a long-running television series from the books as well. This was a legacy that lasted him through the rest of his life leaving behind a character of ever enduring appeal.

Gently Does It

The first novel from Alan Hunter in the George Gently long running saga, that was to be the initial book to set up his world. Originally published in 1955, it establishes his character along with those around him, providing him with the background of both him and his supporting cast. It does this by providing him with his first case; a murder mystery.

Beginning with George Gently on holiday, it sets him up in a quieter more tranquil moment of relaxation, only to find it suddenly disturbed by a murder case happening right under his very nose. Rousing himself reluctantly and visibly perturbed, he sets about doing what he does best; solving crimes and finding the perpetrator quickly and easily. This time it might not be so simple though, as there’s more to this timber merchant’s death than initially meets the eye. Setting up his son as the suspect as an argument was seen breaking out between the two of them just before his death, Gently looks to examine all the evidence. That’s when he comes up against Inspector Hansom of the Norchester police department, who is a little more brash and a lot less thorough than Gently, leaving a lot of loose ends open. As their styles clash, so too do their personalities, as time runs out in the meantime. Will they solve the case in time or will it be too late for detective Gently leaving the killer to strike once more? Who exactly murdered the timber merchant and why? What will become of the George as he gently does it?

Gently Mistaken

The last of the George Gently novels, this was the final one Alan Hunter wrote before finishing his career and retiring the character. Published in 1999 on the 15th of February, this was the end of an impressive forty-six book run that hadn’t stopped since Hunter had begun in 1955. Setting up the character of George Gently’s final case, it aims to wrap things up once and for all.

Found murdered on the bed is one mistress, as the owner of the Putney flat is nowhere to be seen leaving her strangled. As the Chief Superintendent George Gently breaks into the home after a disappearance is reported, he finds the victim with his team and they’re led to their final case. Initially thought to be a simple case of betrayal and murder, there’s more to it than first meets the eye as they work to uncover all the evidence. With an accountant named Thorpe being the one who fled the scene, they work to locate him, but soon find that he’s also been battered to death. Will they be able to find who’s responsible for these deaths, or will they be too late allowing the killer to strike once more? Why are these deaths happening, for what reason are they taking place and does it have anything to do with the money missing from a certain office? Can they find the identity of the killer or will they be left gently mistaken?