The Best Audiobooks for British TV Mystery Fans
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Last Updated on October 20, 2020 by Stefanie Hutson
When you love a TV series or character, it's hard when you get to the end of the series and there's just…nothing left. Luckily, though, a surprisingly large percentage of British TV shows are based on books – and while not all of them have audiobook versions, many do.
It's not quite the same as having more episodes, but it's the next best thing. Even when a show is based on a book, the books often reveal more details and character quirks than you get in the TV adaptation. I find they're especially nice when I'm cooking or doing chores around the house, since I can't always keep an eye on the screen.
For those who aren't familiar with it, Audible is Amazon's audiobook sales arm. It allows you to download audiobooks to your computer, phone, or tablet – and for those who prefer it, you can pay a little more to have both Kindle and Audible versions that sync up together so you can seamlessly switch between listening and reading.
The Best Audiobooks for British TV Mystery Fans
Ann Cleeves's Vera Series
Filmed in the often gloomy, atmospheric Northeast of England, Vera is a basically a female version of the classic male detective figure. She's a bit rough around the edges, but we always know she's on the right side of things.
- The Crow Trap (Book | Audiobook)
- Telling Tales (Book | Audiobook)
- Hidden Depths (Book | Audiobook)
- Silent Voices (Book | Audiobook)
- The Glass Room (Book | Audiobook)
- Harbour Street (Book | Audiobook)
- The Moth Catcher (Book | Audiobook)
- The Seagull (Book | Audiobook)
You can stream the series HERE.
Ann Cleeves's Shetland Series
In the beautiful and remote Shetland Islands of Scotland, DI Jimmy Perez stays surprisingly busy solving murders. Then again, as every mystery fan knows – small, close-knit communities are never what they seem at first glance.
- Raven Black (Book | Audiobook)
- White Nights (Book | Audiobook)
- Red Bones (Book | Audiobook)
- Blue Lightning (Book | Audiobook)
- Dead Water (Book | Audiobook)
- Thin Air (Book | Audiobook)
- Cold Earth (Book | Audiobook)
- Wild Fire (Book | Audiobook)
You can stream the series HERE.
J.K. Rowling's C.B. Strike Series
This modern-day detective series takes place in London and follows detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott. The first three novels have been adapted for TV, and the fourth has recently gone into production. Rowling writes the series under the pen name Robert Galbraith, and she's said in the past that there will probably be at least 7 novels in the series.
- The Cuckoo's Calling (Book | Audiobook)
- The Silkworm (Book | Audiobook)
- Career of Evil (Book | Audiobook)
- Lethal White (Book | Audiobook)
- Troubled Blood (Book | Audiobook)
You can stream the TV series HERE.
M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin Series
Agatha Raisin is NOT your typical hard-boiled detective. She's not even your typical Sherlock Holmes-style detective. She's a fashionable, ex-PR exec from London who retired to the Cotswolds to enjoy country living. The television version of Agatha is fun and light, as are the novels. There's a big difference in how Agatha herself is portrayed, though, so most people seem to favour one version or the other (usually the one they came to know first).
Some of the earlier Agatha Raisin audiobooks are narrated by Penelope Keith, which is a treat!
- The Quiche of Death – Series 1 (Book | Audiobook)
- The Vicious Vet – Series 1 (Book | Audiobook)
- The Potted Gardener – Series 1 (Book | Audiobook)
- The Walkers of Dembley – Series 1 (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage – Series 1 (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death – Series 1 (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham – Series 2 (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam – Series 2 (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came – Series 1 (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate – Series 2 (Book | Audiobook)
- Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House – Series 3 (Book | Audiobook)
- The Deadly Dance (Book | Audiobook)
- The Perfect Paragon (Book | Audiobook)
- Love, Lies, and Liquor (Book | Audiobook)
- Kissing Christmas Goodbye (Book | Audiobook)
- A Spoonful of Poison (Book | Audiobook)
- There Goes the Bride (Book | Audiobook)
- Busy Body (Book | Audiobook)
- As the Pig Turns (Book | Audiobook)
- Hiss and Hers (Book | Audiobook)
- Something Borrowed, Someone Dead (Book | Audiobook)
- The Blood of an Englishman (Book | Audiobook)
- Dishing the Dirt (Book | Audiobook)
- Pushing Up Daisies (Book | Audiobook)
- The Witches Tree (Book | Audiobook)
- The Dead Ringer (Book | Audiobook)
- Beating About the Bush (Book | Audiobook)
You can stream the TV series HERE.
M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth Series
- Death of a Gossip (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Cad (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of an Outsider (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Perfect Wife (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Hussy (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Snob (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Prankster (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Glutton / Death of a Greedy Woman (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Travelling Man (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Charming Man (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Nag (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Macho Man (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Dentist (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Scriptwriter (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of an Addict (Book | Audiobook)
- A Highland Christmas (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Dustman (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Celebrity (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Village (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Poison Pen (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Bore (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Dreamer (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Maid (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Gentle Lady (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Witch (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Valentine (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Chimney Sweep (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Kingfisher (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of Yesterday (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Policeman (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Liar (Book | Audiobook)
- Knock, Knock, You're Dead (Book |
Audiobook) - Death of a Nurse (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Ghost (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of an Honest Man (Book | Audiobook)
You can stream the TV series HERE.
Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse Series
Colin Dexter may have passed, but he left us a great treasure – one of the greatest British mystery series of all time. His Inspector Morse series has spawned a successful television series + 2 equally successful spin-offs. If you loved the television adaptation of his work, you're sure to love the books even more.
The best part? Several are narrated by Kevin Whately (aka Inspector Lewis).
- Last Bus to Woodstock (Book | Audiobook)
- Last Seen Wearing (Book | Audiobook)
- The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (Book | Audiobook)
- Service of All the Dead (Book | Audiobook)
- The Dead of Jericho (Book | Audiobook)
- The Riddle of the Third Mile (Book | Audiobook)
- The Secret of Annexe 3 (Book | Audiobook)
- The Wench is Dead (Book | Audiobook)
- The Jewel That Was Ours (Book | Audiobook)
- The Way Through the Woods (Book | Audiobook)
- The Daughters of Cain (Book | Audiobook)
- Death is Now My Neighbour (Book | Audiobook)
- The Remorseful Day (Book | Audiobook)
You can stream the TV series HERE.
W.J. Burley's Wycliffe Series
- Wycliffe and the Three-Toed Pussy (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and How to Kill a Cat (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Guilt Edged Alibi (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and Death in a Salubrious Place (Book | Audiobook)
- Wycliffe and Death in Stanley Street (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Pea-Green Boat (Book | Audiobook)
- Wycliffe and the School Bullies (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Scapegoat (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe in Paul's Court (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe's Wild Goose Chase (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Beales (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Four Jacks (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Quiet Virgin (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Winsor Blue (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Tangled Web (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Cycle of Death (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Dead Flautist (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Last Rites (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Dunes Mystery (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the House of Fear (Book | Audiobook)
- Wycliffe and the Redhead (Book |
Audiobook) - Wycliffe and the Guild of Nine (Book |
Audiobook)
You can stream the TV series HERE.
Ngaio Marsh's Inspector Alleyn Series
- A Man Lay Dead (Book | Audiobook)
- Enter A Murderer (Book | Audiobook)
- The Nursing Home Murder (Book | Audiobook)
- Death in Ecstasy (Book | Audiobook)
- Vintage Murder (Book | Audiobook)
- Artists in Crime (Book | Audiobook)
- Death in a White Tie (Book | Audiobook)
- Overture to Death (Book | Audiobook)
- Death at the Bar (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Peer / A Surfeit of Lampreys (Book | Audiobook)
- Death & the Dancing Footman (Book | Audiobook)
- Colour Scheme (Book | Audiobook)
- Died in the Wool (Book | Audiobook)
- Final Curtain (Book | Audiobook)
- A Wreath for Rivera / Swing, Brother, Swing (Book | Audiobook)
- Opening Night / Night at the Vulcan (Book | Audiobook)
- Spinsters in Jeopardy (Book | Audiobook)
- Scales of Justice (Book | Audiobook)
- Death of a Fool (Book | Audiobook)
- Singing in the Shrouds (Book | Audiobook)
- False Scent (Book | Audiobook)
- Hand in Glove (Book | Audiobook)
- Dead Water (Book | Audiobook)
- Death at the Dolphin / Killer Dolphin (Book | Audiobook)
- Clutch of Constables (Book | Audiobook)
- When in Rome (Book | Audiobook)
- Tied Up in Tinsel (Book | Audiobook)
- Black As He's Painted (Book | Audiobook)
- Last Ditch (Book | Audiobook)
- Grave Mistake (Book | Audiobook)
- Light Thickens (Book | Audiobook)
- Photo-Finish (Book | Audiobook)
You can stream the TV series HERE.
Ian Rankin's Rebus Series
If you enjoy mysteries set in the eerie and atmospheric city of Edinburgh, this is the series for you. Considered a classic of Scottish detective fiction, the books are often favoured by those who feel the TV show is a bit dated.
- Knots & Crosses (Book | Audiobook)
- Hide & Seek (Book | Audiobook)
- Tooth & Nail (Book | Audiobook)
- Strip Jack (Book | Audiobook)
- The Black Book (Book | Audiobook)
- Mortal Causes (Book | Audiobook)
- Let it Bleed (Book | Audiobook)
- Black & Blue (Book | Audiobook)
- The Hanging Garden (Book | Audiobook)
- Dead Souls (Book | Audiobook)
- Set in Darkness (Book | Audiobook)
- The Falls (Book | Audiobook)
- Resurrection Men (Book | Audiobook)
- A Question of Blood (Book | Audiobook)
- Fleshmarket Close (Book | Audiobook)
- The Naming of the Dead (Book | Audiobook)
- Exit Music (Book | Audiobook)
- Standing in Another Man's Grave (Book | Audiobook)
- Saints of the Shadow Bible (Book | Audiobook)
- Even Dogs in the Wild (Book | Audiobook)
- Rather be the Devil (Book | Audiobook)
- In a House of Lies (Book | Audiobook)
You can stream the TV series HERE.
What's Your Favourite British TV Mystery Series in Novel or Audiobook Form?
What's your personal favourite in terms of British TV-inspiring mystery novels or audiobooks? We'll continue to update this post because there are quite a few others out there.
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