R.D. Wingfield Books In Order

Publication Order of DI Jack Frost Books

Leaving behind a legacy that many authors can only dream of, the highly renowned and well respected British novelist R.D. Wingfield was an extremely well regarded writer of crime fiction, primarily being known for his creation of the Inspector Frost series. Not only that, but he was also a very well established radio dramatist, writing a number of plays and pieces that were appreciated by both critics and the general public alike. With a wealth of material, he has a strong backlog of work that has become a beacon for many young and aspiring writers looking to make a name in the world of crime fiction, something that will continue for some time to come.

Early and Personal Life

Born on the 6th of June in 1928, R.D. Wingfield was to embark on a lifetime devoted to his passion of both reading and writing. Growing up in the metropolitan borough of Hackney, London, in the United Kingdom, he was to take in inspiration from an early age, continually feeding it back into his work. Being brought up during the second world war as well, he was also evacuated to Frome during his schooling, something which heavily influenced him in the following years to come.

Educated at Coopers’ Company School, he was to gain a high-class education that would adequately prepare him for the writing career that was to follow. This was also during the outbreak of the second world war, something which would also weigh heavily on him throughout the years to come. During this time though, he was to refine and hone his craft, as he continually developed and managed his voice, style and tone.

Before embarking on a career as a writer he went through a number of other different positions, all of which would define who he was to later become. It was during this period he’d get exempted from National Service due to his bad eyesight, before undertaking a number of office based roles located all throughout the east end of London, then followed by a position working within the Petrofina oil company. This would all help to inform him as a writer and a master of his craft, as he was continually working on his material throughout.

It was on the 31st of July, 2007, that he sadly passed away, leaving behind a long and expansive body of work that most writers aspire to. With his family estate now looking after and protecting it, they ensure that popular figures such as his Inspector Frost character will be well respected for years to come. In 2011 a further trilogy of books featuring the much loved character would be released with the backing of the Wingfield family, ensuring this legacy continues on into the foreseeable future.

Writing Career

Starting out in radio, R.D. Wingfield learned his many tricks of the trade, such as his penchant for dialogue and engaging storylines, through the medium. It was then in 1972 that he was first approached by the Macmillan Publishers label asking him to write a novel, which was he did so, but it was unfortunately rejected, being put aside until the early eighties when it got published in Canada. This novel was also to be the first in the Inspector Frost series going under the now well known title ‘Frost at Christmas’, leading the way to one of Britain most beloved franchises to date.

Running for approximately six titles, it managed garner international acclaim, ultimately leading to the equally well regarded television series starring Sir David Jason as the the inspector. Almost becoming an institution of sorts, this franchise has left behind a legacy that truly stands the test of time, providing a beacon to other aspiring writers for years to come. As more books have come out recently using the Inspector Frost name, a trilogy so far that has the blessing of the Wingfield family, it looks like this legacy will continue for some time yet.

Night Frost

Originally published in 1992 on the 3rd of December through the Corgi publishing label, setting up what was to be the third title in the ongoing Inspector Frost series. Following in much the same vein as before, it manages to build upon the story from the previous one, along with further establishing the characters as well. Providing another case for the eponymous Inspector, it also works at giving the readers more what they’ve now come to expect from the series, as it shows a clearly now confident writer at his peak.

There is an outbreak of the flu in the police department, something which has them at somewhat of a loss, leaving it up to Inspector Jack Frost to take on the workload. Then, to top all that off, a series of unsolved crimes are piling up, with burglaries, suspicious suicides, letters written in a poison pen, and pornographic videos, all with an overbearing commander breathing down his neck to really make things worse. Facing insurmountable pressure Inspector Frost finds that he may have to cut corners if he even hopes to keep his head above water and finish the job. Will he be able to manage it all? Who is committing these crimes? What will happen as Jack finds himself facing a night frost?

Hard Frost

Marking the fourth title in the Inspector Frost series and a direct follow on from the last, this provides the next case for the eponymous inspector. Initially published on the first of September in 1995, this was brought out through the Bantam publishing label to much acclaim and an already eagerly expectant public. Carrying on in much the same vein as before, it manages to continue to the series whilst maintaining the same level of quality that his readers have now come to expect from it as a whole.

With the series heading back to the Denton Division once again, this time it sees Detective Inspector Jack Frost still doing whatever it takes to get the job done. This is much to the chargrin of his commanding officers, as he cuts corners and seems rather unkempt and unruly, something which leads them wanting to remove him from the department overall. Whilst he’s on holiday he soon finds himself pulled back into solving another case, one which only he can manage with his excellent powers of skill and deduction. Will he be able to uncover the web of lies surrounding the latest death? Can he solve the case in his usual deadpan and disgruntled manner? What will become of a hard frost?

2 Responses to “R.D. Wingfield”

1. Finchley: 8 months ago

   I implore everyone to listen to his radio dramas.
   The writing is fantastic and the acting is great.
   ‘Outbreak of Fear’ is probably the best. I think
   I have listened to 19 of his radio dramas. Not sure if there are more.

   Reply
2. Bernice: 2 years ago

   His first novel,‘Frost at Christmas’, was published in Canada in paperback by Paperjacks. This pulp fiction edition became a best seller and was finally picked up by a UK publisher, not Macmillan and came out in hard cover.

   Reply