Mark Billingham Books
Tom Thorne Series
Sleepyhead - 2001
In Sleepyhead, DI Tom Thorne investigates a chilling case where a serial killer attempts to induce locked-in syndrome rather than death. Alison, the sole survivor, holds the key to stopping the killer. As Thorne uncovers dark motives, he faces his own demons in a gripping psychological thriller.
Scaredy Cat - 2001
Detective Tom Thorne investigates two chilling murder cases that seem connected. The killers use strikingly similar methods, suggesting a sinister partnership. As Thorne unravels the mystery, he discovers a web of psychological manipulation, personal vengeance, and darkness, racing to prevent more deaths in London.
Lazybones - 2003
In Lazybones, Detective Tom Thorne investigates a series of murders targeting convicted rapists. The killer's method hints at vigilante justice, leading Thorne into a complex case involving deception and revenge. As the investigation unfolds, Thorne confronts moral ambiguities, balancing his pursuit of justice with the victims' controversial histories.
The Burning Girl - 2004
The Burning Girl follows DI Tom Thorne as he investigates a gang-related crime linked to a decades-old case involving a girl horrifically burned and left for dead. As Thorne uncovers buried secrets, he confronts personal danger and the blurred lines between justice, revenge, and the past.
Lifeless - 2005
In Lifeless, Detective Tom Thorne goes undercover as a homeless man in London to investigate a series of brutal murders targeting the homeless community. Struggling with personal grief and the harsh realities of street life, Thorne must navigate danger and deception to uncover the killer's identity.
Buried - 2006
Buried is a gripping crime novel featuring Detective Tom Thorne. When the son of a former police officer is kidnapped, Thorne is drawn into a web of lies, betrayal, and secrets. As he uncovers connections to a long-unsolved case, the search grows increasingly dangerous and personal.
Death Message - 2007
In Death Message, DI Tom Thorne receives disturbing images of murder victims on his phone. As the killer taunts him, Thorne races to uncover the connection between the victims and the perpetrator. Personal stakes rise, and Thorne faces moral dilemmas in a gripping psychological thriller.
Bloodline – 2009
In Bloodline, Detective Tom Thorne investigates a series of brutal murders linked by a sinister connection: each victim's parent was killed years earlier by the infamous serial killer Raymond Garvey. As Thorne unravels the mystery, he faces psychological tension and danger, racing to stop the killer's bloody vendetta.
From The Dead - 2010
From the Dead is a gripping crime thriller in the Tom Thorne series. A woman hires a hitman to kill her husband, but years later, she receives a photo suggesting he's alive. DI Tom Thorne investigates, uncovering lies, betrayal, and a dangerous web of revenge.
Good As Dead - 2011
In Good as Dead, DI Tom Thorne faces a tense hostage situation after a man kidnaps a woman, demanding justice for his son’s suspicious death in a youth detention center. As Thorne investigates, he uncovers dark secrets and corruption within the system, pushing him into a dangerous moral dilemma.
The Dying Hours - 2013
In The Dying Hours, Detective Tom Thorne investigates a series of apparent suicides that he suspects are murders. Overlooked by colleagues, Thorne must work alone to uncover a killer targeting the vulnerable. As he delves deeper, the case becomes increasingly personal, leading to a tense, shocking conclusion.
Thorne at Christmas: A Short Story Collection - 2013
Thorne at Christmas: A Short Story Collection features standalone festive tales with Detective Tom Thorne. Blending dark humor, suspense, and crime, these stories explore holiday mysteries and Thorne’s personal struggles. Each tale delves into justice, betrayal, and human complexity, showcasing Billingham’s knack for gripping, character-driven storytelling.
The Bones Beneath - 2014
In The Bones Beneath, Detective Tom Thorne escorts a notorious killer, Stuart Nicklin, to a remote Welsh island to recover the remains of a long-dead victim. As sinister motives unfold, Thorne finds himself in a deadly game of manipulation, betrayal, and revenge in this tense thriller.
Time of Death - 2015
Time of Death follows Detective Tom Thorne as he investigates the abduction of two young girls in a small English town. Drawn into the case while supporting a friend, Thorne uncovers buried secrets, deceit, and a community in turmoil. A tense, layered thriller with shocking revelations.
Love Like Blood - 2017
In Love Like Blood, DI Tom Thorne partners with DI Nicola Tanner to investigate a series of honor killings tied to her partner’s murder. As they delve deeper into a world of cultural conflict and hidden crimes, they face danger, betrayal, and the chilling cost of justice.
The Killing Habit - 2018
The Killing Habit follows DI Tom Thorne investigating a disturbing series of cat killings, which escalate into human murders. Partnering with DI Nicola Tanner, Thorne uncovers a chilling link to a dangerous predator. Tense and gritty, the novel explores obsession, psychology, and the thin line between cruelty and murder.
Their Little Secret - 2019
Their Little Secret is a thrilling installment in the Tom Thorne series. A woman’s apparent suicide leads DI Thorne to uncover a chilling relationship between a manipulative con artist and a twisted killer. As lies unravel, Thorne races against time to stop their deadly partnership.
Cry Baby - 2020
Cry Baby is a prequel to the Tom Thorne series. Set in 1996, it follows Detective Thorne as he investigates the disappearance of a young boy. Amid personal struggles and professional challenges, Thorne uncovers a web of lies, deception, and hidden motives in this gripping mystery.
The Murder Book - 2022
In The Murder Book, Detective Tom Thorne faces his most personal case yet when a killer resurfaces, targeting those closest to him. As Thorne uncovers chilling connections between past and present murders, he risks everything to stop a vengeful enemy in this gripping, emotionally charged thriller.
What The Night Brings - 2025
In Mark Billingham's What The Night Brings, Tom Thorne faces a chilling case as four officers are murdered in targeted attacks. As Thorne and Nicola Tanner probe deeper, they uncover a dark possibility: the killings may be retribution for a shocking betrayal, forcing Thorne to question everything he believes in.
Detective Miller series
The Last Dance - 2023
The Last Dance introduces Detective Sergeant Declan Miller, who returns to duty after his wife's murder. Teaming up with new partner DS Sara Xiu, Miller investigates a double homicide in a seaside hotel, uncovering complex connections and confronting personal demons.
The Wrong Hands - 2024
The Wrong Hands features unconventional Detective Declan Miller, who receives a briefcase containing severed hands. Suspecting local criminal Wayne Cutler, whom he believes is linked to his wife's unsolved murder, Miller navigates a web of crime lords, eccentric hitmen, and personal grief to uncover the truth.
Triskellion series
Triskellion - 2008
Triskellion, by Will Peterson (Mark Billingham’s pseudonym), follows twins Rachel and Adam uncovering supernatural secrets in the eerie village of Triskellion. Strange rituals and ancient artifacts reveal a dark past, drawing them into danger as they unravel mysteries tied to their heritage in this thrilling young adult adventure.
Triskellion 2: The Burning - 2009
Triskellion 2: The Burning by Will Peterson (Mark Billingham and Peter Cocks) continues the thrilling adventure of twins Rachel and Adam. Fleeing to France after their harrowing escape, they uncover dark secrets involving an ancient artifact. Pursued by dangerous enemies, the siblings confront mystical forces in a high-stakes race for survival.
Triskellion 3: The Gathering - 2010
Triskellion 3: The Gathering concludes the thrilling trilogy. Twins Rachel and Adam journey to a mysterious hidden realm, pursued by sinister forces. As ancient powers awaken, they confront dangerous truths about their heritage and a prophecy tied to their survival, culminating in a dramatic, otherworldly battle.
Standalone Novels
Knight School - 1998
Knight School is a darkly comedic play set in a medieval reenactment club. The story explores rivalry, ambition, and absurdity as members compete for dominance while grappling with personal insecurities. With sharp wit and clever dialogue, the play satirizes human behavior in this quirky, exaggerated setting.
In The Dark - 2008
In The Dark is a tense crime thriller. Pregnant detective Helen Weeks’ life unravels when her partner dies in a gangland-linked crash. Uncovering betrayal, corruption, and shocking secrets, Helen navigates a dangerous web to reveal the truth, testing her strength and resolve in gritty, suspenseful London.
Rush of Blood - 2012
Rush of Blood is a dark thriller about three British couples vacationing in Florida when a teen goes missing. Back in the UK, secrets unravel, and DI Tom Thorne, drawn into the case, uncovers lies and chilling connections, racing to reveal the truth behind the crime.
Die of Shame - 2016
Die of Shame is a tense psychological thriller centered around a therapy group for addicts. When one member is murdered, secrets from the group sessions become key to solving the case. Detective Nicola Tanner navigates lies, guilt, and betrayal in a chilling exploration of trust and vulnerability.
Cut Off - 2018
Cut Off is a tense psychological thriller. Film student Theo faces a nightmare when a filmmaking project spirals into a dangerous game. Drawn into a chilling world of manipulation and deceit, Theo must navigate blurred realities to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
Rabbit Hole - 2021
Rabbit Hole is a gripping psychological thriller set in a psychiatric ward. Alice, a troubled former cop, investigates a murder within the ward while battling her own mental health challenges. Suspenseful and immersive, the story explores unreliable narration, twisted relationships, and shocking revelations, keeping readers guessing until the end.
Non-Fiction
Great Lost Albums - 2014
The Great Lost Albums by Mark Billingham, David Quantick, Stav Sherez, and Martyn Waites humorously imagines fictional albums by real and invented artists. This satirical book parodies the music industry with creative backstories, reviews, and anecdotes, blending wit and pop culture insights to celebrate music’s quirks and absurdities.
Short Story Collections
Dancing Towards the Blade and Other Stories - 2013
Dancing Towards the Blade and Other Stories is a gripping collection of short tales blending suspense, crime, and psychological intrigue. Themes of revenge, betrayal, and moral dilemmas unfold in chilling narratives. The title story explores love, vengeance, and loss, showcasing Billingham's talent for dark, emotionally charged storytelling.
Thorne at Christmas: A Short Story Collection - 2013
Thorne at Christmas: A Short Story Collection features gripping festive tales with Detective Tom Thorne. These short stories blend dark humor, suspense, and crime, offering insights into Thorne’s character and cases. From holiday crimes to personal struggles, this collection showcases the complexities of justice during the holiday season.