Jonathan Gash Books In Order

Publication Order of Lovejoy Books

Publication Order of Dr. Clare Burtonall Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Anthologies

Jonathan Gash is one of the highly renowned British authors, who is famous for writing books based on the mystery, crime fiction, and thriller genres. The name is actually a pen name used by the novelist John Grant. Author Gash is particularly well known for writing the Lovejoy novel series as well as the books of Dr. Clare Burtonall series. He has received training in pathology and general practice. Author Gash has even served in the army of Britain. He left from his post of Major of the Medical Corps of the Royal Army. For a period of 17 years, author Gash has worked as the head of the bacteriology department at the Tropical Medial School in London University. Author Gash began his writing career in the year 1977 with the release of his debut book under the title of The Judas Pair. This book was awarded with the prestigious John Creasy Award in the same year of its publication, and this marked the beginning of the prosperous writing career of Gash. In addition to using his original name and pen name, author Gash has also written some of his books under the pseudonym of Graham Hunt. Author Gash was born on September 30, 1933, in Bolton, Lancashire, The United Kingdom. He received his primary education from the St Paul’s and St Peter Primary School. Later, he joined the Thornleigh College, followed by entering into the field of medicine and becoming a doctor. Between the years 1971 & 1988, he had held the post of the director in School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Some of the written works of author Gash have also been published in Postcripts.

As Graham Hunt, he has written the a novel called The Incomer. His Dr Clare Burtonall series features several medical thrillers with the lead character as Dr. Burtonall. As of today, author Gash resides near Colchester, Essex, which is the same place where he sets most of his thriller novels. The Lovejoy series written by author Gash is a picaresque series that revolves around the adventures of an antiques dealer from Britain, named Lovejoy. He is also described as a faker who lives in East Anglia. Lovejoy is shown as a little scrupulous, but likeable rogue. In the world of antiques dealings, Lovejoy has earned himself the title of being a ‘divvie’. This means that he has the supernatural talent of recognizing the exceptional things. He is even able to distinguish between the forged ones and the genuine items. Author Gash has not mentioned the first name of Lovejoy even for once in the whole series. A television series based on the original novel series has been produced. It was aired between 1986 and 1994 and consisted of a total of 73 episodes. Well known actor Ian McShane was cast to play the lead role of Lovejoy in the television series. In its first series, which was aired in the year 1986, the producers had adapted a number of characters and plots as it is from the novels. And it was only from the 2nd television series onwards that new materials that were developed for the show were added. In the adapted series, it is shown that Lovejoy insists on being referred to by ‘Lovejoy’ only.

The Lovejoy series written by Jonathan Gash is comprised of a total of 24 books, which were released between the years 1977 and 2008. All the books of this series feature Lovejoy is the main lead. He is depicted as a dealer of antique items. One of the initial books released in this crime fiction series is titled as ‘Gold by Gemini’. It was published by the Penguin publication in the year 1988, after it was first released in 1978. Author Gash has set the story in Douglas, Isle of Man; and East Anglia, England. He has described the primary characters as Tinker Dill, Margaret, Lovejoy, Eleanor, Geofrey, Henry, Edward Rink, Cissie, Patrick, Helen, etc. At the start of the story, author Gash has shown that Roman coins from the British era begin to disappear from one of the local museums. Being a dealer of such antiques, Lovejoy shows more than usual interest in finding the coins. Lovejoy feels the need to abandon his usual pursuits of willing women and good buys and sees himself in the company of the less agreeable sinister Rink named Dandy Jack and the treacherous and lovely Nicole. The two lead Lovejoy on a chase in and around the countryside which is filled with dangers and heather. The tour turns out to be a superb one as Lovejoy gets a chance to get the experience of the greedy and the glittering world of antiques. This book went on to achieve a great success all over the world. Initially, it was released in England as ‘Gold From Gemini’.

One of the other exciting books written and published in this series is entitled ‘The Sleepers of Erin’. The Penguin Books released it in the year 1984, one year after its initial release in 1983. The starting sequence of this novel continues to show Lovejoy as a popular antiques dealer, who is recognized throughout far and wide spaces. The story opens with him embarking on an adventurous search for an important and priceless antique of Celtic. In the search, Lovejoy is chased by two mayhem minded, other antique dealers. A woman having extraordinary beauty and brains is also on his trail, with the purpose of her own benefit. Lovejoy is also chased by several crew members of other interested parties. The police suspects that Lovejoy is once again involved in finding something of high value and historical importance. Therefore, they keep a track on all his activities. As the search for the antique proceeds further, false arrests, assaults, blackmail, murder, and kidnapping take place. These criminal activities add up to the high price of finding the antique and keeping it. As Lovejoy is the only one to recognize the antique, his involvement in the search process becomes very important. Due to this, the other interested parties try to make sure that he does not fall in any sort of trouble and at the same time they look to snatch the antique as and when Lovejoy lays his hands on it. However, Lovejoy goes on to overcome all the obstacles and becomes successful in holding on to the valuable treasure as well as his life. This book too achieved great success after its release and was liked by many. Author Gash was lauded by the critics and readers, and was motivated to write many more such stories in the book series.