DI Greco Books In Order

Publication Order of DI Greco Books

DI Greco series by Helen H. Durrant

Bestselling author Helen H. Durrant writes the “DI Greco” series of mystery, thriller, and crime novels. It began publication in the year 2015, when “Dark Murder” was released.

The series stars Detective Inspector Stephen Greco. He moved to Oldston right after his wife filed for divorce. He is not really fond of the place much, but wanted to stay close to his daughter, Matilda. While the series goes on, he tries to rebuild the relationship he has with his ex-wife. As a policeman, he is meticulous, and he has a touch of O.C.D. Stephen is a guy that is easy to admire but is sometimes tough to like.

It is difficult for him to relate to others, but has a clinical ability to analyze situations, seeing things that others will miss. Stephen doesn’t really understand emotions, realizing how he should react and feel, but it doesn’t really happen. This usually causes problems in his personal life. Members of his team view him to be sort of a cold fish.

Also in the books is Detective Sergeant Grace Harper, who has excellent people skills, and is an ambitious young police officer. Much like Stephen, she is a single parent and attempts to balance childcare and her work.

He first appeared in “Dead List”, which is the third book in the “Calladine and Bayliss” series that Durrant also writes.

The books are set in Oldston, which is a fictional industrial northern English town.

“Dark Murder” is the first novel in the “DI Greco” series, which was released in the year 2015. A woman was found dead by a canal. Why have her eyes been brutally poked out?

Detective Stephen Greco has just begun his new job with Oldston CID. Now he faces a string of murders that don’t seem to have a connection, beyond a brutal disfigurement of each victim. Greco’s team begins to fall apart under all of the pressure, and he is unsure who he can trust. They find a connection to a local drug dealer, but it may not be all that it appears.

Will Greco be able to reign in his chaotic team and stop the killer from murdering anyone else?

Stephen Greco is a likable character, although not a perfect one, as he is filled with conflict inside himself as well as the people he works with. Greco is a character readers want to get know in future books. All of Durrant’s characters are likable, the bad guys are super bad, and the good guys are there for the victims.

“Dark Houses” is the second novel in the “DI Greco” series, which was released in the year 2016. In an empty house, a young woman is found brutally killed. Stephen Greco and the rest of his team have to piece together every bit of her life as quickly as they can. Inside of twenty-four hours that is another appalling killing that uses the same method. The detectives understand the victims are random, but the locations are not. This murderer is concerned with finding a house he is not going to be disturbed as he chases his evil plan.

A man comes into the station and confesses, and it looks like the case is solved. Greco is not at all convinced and soon he is going to be fighting to save the one woman who is the most important to him in an emotional and stunningly tense conclusion. Will Greco be able to keep himself as well as his team under control while the criminal gets personal?

The book features some surprises and twists and that keep the reader happy. While the novels evolve, the characters continue to grow, even Greco is getting friendly with Grace Harper, a member of his team. This is a roller coaster ride, packed with edge-of-your-seat suspense that leads to a mind blowing conclusion.

“Dark Trade” is the third novel in the “DI Greco” series, which was released in the year 2017. A teenage boy is found killed after he was stabbed right through the heart by a professional killer. Greco and his new team find out that the teen was an illegal immigrant. Another youth with the same background is also murdered. The killing leads DCI Greco along a trail of exploitation and people smuggling.

DCI Greco has to get his new team to gel, but he is still recovering from a horrible personal tragedy, and his relationship with DS Grace Harper threatens to get very unprofessional.

Why is drugs baron and arch-villain Vinny Costello involved? What is the link to a private clinic that specializes in plastic surgery?

Durrant is able to strike a good balance between capturing the private lives of each of the main characters and aspects of a police procedural. Here, she has a rather clever twist in her story, that some didn’t see coming. This is a page turner with a ton of dark undertones in it. It keeps the adrenaline pumping the entire time while you get an insight into the bleak realities of life inside of a detective team. It shows the reality being grey and fuzzy.

“Dark Angel” is the fourth novel in the “DI Greco” series, which was released in the year 2018. Two young guys break into an expensive home in Cheshire. They take jewelry and money, as well as a large amount of heroin. Inside of twenty-four hours, both guys are discovered, having been brutally killed.

The killings feature the hallmarks of a local drug kingpin. The pair of victims were “angels”, as they were helping in a community project that was working to lower the area’s crime rate.

At the same time, Greco’s colleague and on-off girlfriend Grace is now pregnant. He unsure how he really feels, and they have yet to tell their boss.

Here is a gritty and fully engrossing mystery novel from a popular author who is able to always deliver, and her work seems to get better with each book. The book does a great job of hooking you at the start and keeping your attention, with some surprises tossed in for good measure. Durrant keeps a high standard with some fluid and uncomplicated style of writing.

2 Responses to “DI Greco”

1. Teresa MacNiven: 2 years ago

   Could you please give me an estimate as to when book 5 of DI Greco series will be available? Thanks

   Reply
   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     I haven’t heard anything about any new books within that series unfortunately.

     Reply