Reading Order
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Start with Dead Beat and continue through all 6 books in the listed reading order.
Start Here
Start with Dead Beat
Book 1 by Val McDermid • Published 1992
Manchester private investigator Kate Brannigan is hired by rock legend Jett to track down his missing former partner, Moira, last seen in Leeds. Finding Moira is only the start—the case spirals into violence and murder.
Complete List
Kate Brannigan reading order
Ends with Star Struck
- 1
Book 1:Dead Beat
Val McDermid • 1992
Manchester private investigator Kate Brannigan is hired by rock legend Jett to track down his missing former partner, Moira, last seen in Leeds. Finding Moira is only the start—the case spirals into violence and murder.
- 2
Book 2:Kick Back
Val McDermid • 1993
Kate Brannigan expects a routine job, but a client’s secrets drag her into a case where intimidation and money do the talking. As the pressure rises, Kate has to decide how far she’ll go to stay alive.
- 3
Book 3:Crack Down
Val McDermid • 1994
Hired to untangle a seemingly ordinary problem, Kate Brannigan finds Manchester’s criminal undercurrents closer than she thought. The deeper she pushes, the more she risks becoming the next target.
- 4
Book 4:Clean Break
Val McDermid • 1995
A simple assignment turns messy when Kate Brannigan stumbles into a scheme that’s already cost someone their life. To get out clean, she’ll need sharp instincts, stubborn courage, and help from the few people she trusts.
- 5
Book 5:Blue Genes
Val McDermid • 1996
Kate Brannigan is juggling cons, threats, and personal upheaval when her friend Alexis asks for help after a fertility doctor is murdered. Kate’s digging pulls her into medical experimentation, secrets, and a level of...
- 6
Book 6:Star Struck
Val McDermid • 1998
Kate Brannigan takes a job that brushes up against fame, where attention can be a weapon and lies travel fast. As obsession turns dangerous, she uncovers what people will do for a spotlight.
Quick Answers
Kate Brannigan FAQ
What is the best order to read the Kate Brannigan series?
The recommended reading order is the numbered order shown on this page, starting with Dead Beat.
How many books are in the Kate Brannigan series?
There are 6 books currently listed in the Kate Brannigan series on GurusReads.
Where should I start with the Kate Brannigan series?
New readers should start with Dead Beat, the first book in the reading order.
Is the Kate Brannigan series complete?
Based on the publication years we have, the series appears likely complete and spans releases from 1992 to 1998.