Dirk Gently Books In Order

Publication Order of Dirk Gently Books

Almost an institution in his own right, for many Douglas Adams needs no introduction, having produced scores of famous science-fiction novels over the course of his long and illustrious writing career. From ‘Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy’ to his many television and radio writing credits, he would create a legacy that was quite unlike any other, and one that is still felt to this very day. Pondering some of life’s bigger questions, such as the meaning, or ultimate question, of life, to the best uses of towels, he really pushed the form to its very limits. Whether it be being featured in early adventure video-games or radio serials, he was always looking to expand himself creatively as an artist and writer. This would include a number of series, many of which would make their way to the big, and small, screen over the years, reaching new audiences worldwide. Really getting to the heart of the matter, his series would feature many iconic characters, such as Arthur Dent who would travel across the universe in his search for a perfect cup of tea. Another was Dirk Gently of the ‘Dirk Gently’ series of novels, as he would be seen running his ‘Holistic Detective Agency’ undertaking a variety of metaphysical and out-of-this-world, and dimension, cases. Told with good humor, this resolutely British protagonist could also be seen asking some of the bigger questions during his investigations. Dirk Gently is a ‘Holistic Detective’ who believes in the ‘interconnectedness of all things’, and he gets himself involved in cases involving mysticism and even time travel. Heading off on journeys that involve a colourful cast of characters, the stories feature mysteries that really push upon the seams of accepted reality. Whilst they are fun and good natured in their tone, they do seek to ask some of the fundamentally bigger questions along the way too.

With three books in total in the series, it would be a franchise that would spawn a number of different iterations throughout the years. The first book, ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’, would originally be released in 1987 to much acclaim, followed by ‘The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul’ in 1988, and ‘The Salmon of Doubt’ posthumously in 2002 just one year after Adam’s passing. These would also come together in two omnibus editions too, collecting them all together for readers to enjoy as well, with one featuring the first two books and another featuring all three in 2013. There would be radio adaptation in 2007 for the BBC, a television adaptation in 2010 also for the BBC, and an American television series in 2016 for BBC America. All of these have proven to be successful, thus cementing the ever enduring appeal of the original novels themselves.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

First published on the 15th of May in 1987 and later released through Pocket Books in 2002, this would be the first title in the series. Introducing the world of Dirk Gently for the first time, it would establish the universe that he inhabits, along with it mystical nature. It would also give readers a clear idea of what to expect from the series overall, allowing them to discover how things really operate within this fantastical world.

Starting out with Richard MacDuff, it sees him attending a Coleridge dinner at St. Cedd’s, his old college, whereby he listens to a mysterious, and previously undiscovered, second part to the famous poem Kubla Khan by the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Meanwhile, there is an Electric Monk who happens to discover a mysterious door on an alien planet taking him to Earth, leading him in to the bathroom of MacDuff. During a misunderstanding, the monk kills the boss of MacDuff, which means that MacDuff must seek the help of Dirk Gently, his old schoolmate, to implicate himself. It is then that they are all taken on a madcap adventure, as a wild set of events all connecting themself to one another takes place. Will they be able to find out how the final part of the poem really came in to their possession? Can MacDuff implicate himself from the crime? What will become of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency?

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

Released in 1988 just one year after the first, this would also come out through the pocket Books label again in 1991. With the character already having been firmly established in the previous novel, this continues on in much the same vein as before. It would later be followed up with ‘The Salmon of Doubt’ in 2002, which would be released just one year after the passing of Douglas Adams himself.

Dealing with what he initially believes to be an open-and-shut case, Dirk Gently finds himself being retained by a wealthy man working in the record industry. What appear to be simply ravings and rants from the man about a scythe wielding monster, soon turn the case quite literally on its head, as the wealthy individual is found decapitated with his head spinning on turntable. This then takes a now guilty Dirk Gently on another investigation involving Norse mythology and god’s simply looking for clean linen. Can he find out what really happened there on that fateful day? Will he be able to help the client’s son? What will happen as Dirk Gently faces the long dark tea-time of the soul?

The Dirk Gently Series

As a series, this really does mark what Douglas Adams was about as a writer, as it reflects much of his character and personality as a writer. Told with a high-degree of wit and fun, it manages to take the reader on a fun and inventive ride, letting them get swept up in the action along the way. Telling these stories on the page they would also be adapted for radio and television at a later date too, clearly showing the ever enduring appeal of these stories. Dirk Gently himself is a character who definitely has a lasting quality, as he manages to keep his head above water amidst all the otherworldly happenings. This goes some way towards explaining why this particular collection of books continues to live on and find an audience to this very day.