Martha Grimes Books In Order

Publication Order of Richard Jury Books

Publication Order of Emma Graham Books

Publication Order of Andi Oliver Books

Publication Order of Foul Matter Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Primarily a writer of detective fiction, American author Martha Grimes is well known for her in-depth and deeply immersive novels. Having established herself over a long and illustrious literary career, she’s highly regarded both critically and commercially. Despite living in America, one of her best known and most successful series of novels featuring the character ‘Richard Jury’, is set within the UK.

Early and Personal Life

Born on the 2nd of May, 1931, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Martha Grimes grew up with a keen interest in British culture. An admitted Anglophile, she drew a lot of inspiration from the environment around her. Whilst growing up she would find herself spending large amounts of time in her mother’s hotel, which was situated in Western Maryland. This was to inform her for much of the work that was to follow, as she kept an ever observant eye on the many people going to and from the establishment. Located in Mountain Lake Park, she was to gain the inspiration here for many of her characters that were to follow.

Spending a lot of her time with her brother during her early years, she would watch his impromptu plays set-up in their garage. She also remembers her mother’s cooking as well, which provides her with many early memories and inspiration. Currently living in Bethesda, Maryland, she continues to write to this very day. She also has a married son who lives in Washington DC with two sons of his own. As she carries on writing, she’s been found to be one of the most consistent authors living in America to date.

Writing Career

Originally publishing poetry with her long form poem ‘Send Bygraves’, her audience were introduced to her unique take on the crime and mystery genres. This was to the provide her with the basis for much of her career that was to follow, as she then turned primarily to mystery novels. Her first full novel, ‘The Man With a Load of Mischief’ was discovered in 1979 and subsequently published in 1981. It was this novel that was not only going to be the book that began her career in crime literature, but it was also the story that first introduced Richard Jury to the world.

Soon she was to start gaining the critical and commercial attention that was to thus cement her writing career, establishing her as one of Americas most prolific mystery authors in the process. By the fourth book critics were beginning to take notice, as she was merging genuine British mysteries with a distinctively American tone. This combination appealed to a large number of people and her audience began to grow, as they were drawn in by both her wit and somewhat brooding cynicism packaged in an easily accessible style.

As time wore on, she soon decided to embark on a new venture as she wrote a serial killer novel set in Maryland, which tied the murder mystery to a strained mother and son relationship. This was to be the book that helped establish her career outside of the UK led story-lines she’s previously been famous for. Although she still bases a lot of her work around Richard Jury, she continues to write a wide-range of mystery novels to this day.

The Man With a Load of Mischief

The initial installment in her Richard Jury series and her first full novel overall, this was to mark the beginning of her literary career as a mystery writer. Originally published in 1981, it set-up the character and what he was to be for the duration of the series. Providing him with his first mystery, he deals with the case that’s presented to him, as he’s introduced to his audience.

Like the majority of her books in this series, this one is named after a British pub, which this time concerns the ‘Man With a Load of Mischief’. Finding a dead body pushed into a keg of beer, it appears that there is murder afoot. This becomes even more transparent when another pub, the ‘Jack and Hammer’, has a body placed upon its sign situated where there used to be a mechanical figure that kept the time. With a couple of murders across two pubs it seems that there is a pattern emerging between them both. As a case is soon underway, it’s time for Inspector Richard Jury to step-up and solve the murder mystery that’s taking place. Working for Scotland Yard, he enters Long Piddleton, an idyllic rural town where everyone is looking outside its borders for their culprit. It is only when one Melrose Plant suspects that the killer may be closer to home, and the investigation begins to search within the local community. Who could be committing the crimes and for what reason? Can Richard Jury find the killer before it’s too late? What will become of them as they investigate the mystery behind the Man With a Load of Mischief?

Biting the Moon

This was the first in her series of her Andi Oliver line of novels that also center themselves around a mystery. First published in 1999 on the 1st of January, they feature a few characters from her previous works. Whilst this includes some of the same set-up for the book, it is a relatively new direction for Martha Grimes, as she focuses this time on a more ‘coming of age’ theme.

Waking up in a bed-and-breakfast alien to her, a young woman finds herself nameless and alone with one solitary message left there for her; ‘daddy’ will return soon. Unable to decipher what this means, she must learn who she is and where she’s come from. Initially afraid though and fearing that the worst may have happened, she turns fleeing into the woods nearby. It is in the wilderness that she meets the woman who is to help her discover who she is, this woman being Mary Dark Hope. They then aim to find out the truth, which means finding one person in particular who has the secret to her much sought after identity; the mysterious man that was her abductor. Set around dark ‘coming-of-age’ themes, it operates as a departure from Grimes more traditional fare to which her audiences had previously become accustomed to, this time moving in a new and darker direction. Who is the girl and who is the man that is said to have abducted her? Where did she come from and why was she taken from there? What is the secret behind it all and what will become of the girl without an identity?

6 Responses to “Martha Grimes”

1. margaret luckett: 6 months ago

   Feeling depressed by the situation in the world today – I reached for my Martha Grimes – Richard Jury series – to bolster my outlook on life. I have all 25 of these books which I will never part with and the characters are like family to me. Being British(Canadian) I so appreciate the humour. Very sad that she is gone, I for one will miss her books. Thanks Martha!

   Reply
2. Paula Coleman: 8 months ago

   It would be good to put a date on your articles. This one is outdated and suggests that Martha Grimes is still alive.

   Reply
   • Graeme: 8 months ago

     She isn’t still alive?

     Reply
3. Sharon Ellis: 2 years ago

   Your books are like an old friend that you may not speak to often, but when you do, it’s as if no time has passed. Thank you so much.

   Reply
4. michael nichollas: 3 years ago

   Discovered Martha Grimes…..Enjoying immensely and looking forward to many more of her Jury novels.
   From Michael South Africa

   Reply
5. Emilie Townsend: 3 years ago

   You are exactly, to the day 10 yrs my senior; I was also born in PA. Love your books and have recommended them to others. I get a kick out of the titles to the Richard Jury series and your characters feel like old friends. I have read all of the R. Jury books and all but a couple of the others.
   Thank you for years of entertainment.
   Emilie

   Reply