Shetland
Books in Order.
Start here
Raven Black (2006)
Start with Raven Black (2006), which is book 1, and read in publication order.
Start with Raven Black (2006), which is book 1, and read in publication order. The first four books are the Four Seasons Quartet and books 5 to 8 (from Dead Water) are the Four Elements Quartet.
The complete reading order for the Shetland series by Ann Cleeves. 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 Raven Black (2006), which is book 1, and read in publication order. The first four books are the Four Seasons Quartet and books 5 to 8 (from Dead Water) are the Four Elements Quartet.
- •The Killing Stones (2025) features Jimmy Perez but is set in Orkney, so it is listed as optional after the eight Shetland novels.
- •Cold Earth was first published in the UK in 2016; the US edition followed in 2017.
At a Glance
- First Book:Raven Black
- Latest Book:The Killing Stones
- Timeline:2006 - 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read Shetland in?
Start with Raven Black (2006), which is book 1, and read in publication order. The first four books are the Four Seasons Quartet and books 5 to 8 (from Dead Water) are the Four Elements Quartet.
How many books are in Shetland?
8 main books, published 2006–2018, plus 1 side story.
Can I read Shetland out of order?
It's best not to. The books build on each other, so reading out of order spoils earlier twists.
Which books in Shetland are prequels, novellas or side stories?
"The Killing Stones". Each is placed in the reading order below.