Department Q
Books in Order.
Start with The Keeper of Lost Causes (2011), published in the UK as Mercy. Each case is solved within its own book, but the team's personal storylines build, so reading in order works best.
The complete reading order for the Department Q series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.
Where to start
Start with The Keeper of Lost Causes (2011), published in the UK as Mercy. Each case is solved within its own book, but the team's personal storylines build, so reading in order works best.
- •Titles are the US editions; the UK editions of the first books were retitled (Mercy, Disgrace, Redemption, Guilt, Buried). Years are the first English-language publication, not the Danish original.
- •The books were first published in Danish as Kvinden i buret (2007), Fasandræberne (2008), Flaskepost fra P (2009) and so on.
At a Glance
- First Book:The Keeper of Lost Causes
- Latest Book:No Song for the Dead
- Timeline:2011 - 2026
Complete Series Reading Order
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read Department Q in?
Start with The Keeper of Lost Causes (2011), published in the UK as Mercy. Each case is solved within its own book, but the team's personal storylines build, so reading in order works best.
How many books are in Department Q?
11 main books, published 2011–2026.
Can I read Department Q out of order?
It's best not to. The books build on each other, so reading out of order spoils earlier twists.
Has Department Q been adapted for TV or film?
Adapted for the screen as the Danish films starting with Kvinden i buret (2013), and as the Netflix series Dept. Q.