M.J. Lee Books In Order

Publication Order of DI Emma Christie Books

Publication Order of DI Ridpath Books

Publication Order of Inspector Danilov Books

Publication Order of Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery Books

M.J. Lee is a renowned British novelist of historical fiction, historical mystery, and crime fiction stories. He is particularly well-known for writing the Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery series, the Inspector Danilov series, and the DI Ridpath series. All three series are widely popular and are well appreciated because of their chief protagonists, Jayne Sinclair, DI Thomas Ridpath, and Inspector Pyotr Danilov. Author Lee says that he has spent a major part of his adult life developing stories in one or the other form. He was a history researcher at the university level and used to write notes of numerous pages on many obscure topics. For several years, Lee has worked as a social worker for the betterment of the Vietnamese refugees. He contributed to social work by writing memoranda.

Lee has also worked as an advertising agency’s creative director. In this role, he has penned ads for press and print, TV commercials, short films, and hotel websites. For a period of 25 years, author Lee stayed in the North of England and worked just outside his residence. He has also lived in various other places such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, London, Singapore, Taipei, and Bangkok. Various entities of art have given him awards for his dedicated work. They include Cannes, New York Film Festival, One Show, London Film Festival, the United Nations, and D&AD. While Lee was staying in Shanghai, he loved to walk through the city’s old quarter and develop ideas at the back of his mind about crime novels. Lee’s Jayne Sinclair books are set in Ireland in the 1920s, while his DI Ridpath novels take place in Manchester. The Inspector Danilov novels are set in Shanghai during the 1920s and 1930s.

When author Lee is not busy with his writing projects, he likes to travel and spend time in Asia and the UK. He also likes to give company to his daughter, practice downhill ironing, and read mystery books. In addition to the mystery novels, Lee also writes historical fiction stories under his original name, Martin Lee. His debut book of historical fiction is based on Singapore’s fall and the impact it causes on a group of 4 squaddies who are tasked with the mission of protecting the colony. Lee has lived and experienced the lifestyle of Singapore for 10 years. He has explored the pre-war buildings and colonial architecture.

One interesting fact that Lee came to know during his stay in Singapore is that the Manchester Regiment was stationed in the city from 1938 to 1942. Lee’s book is a tribute to all those men from the Manchester Regiment who lost their lives while trying to prevent the Japanese invasion. In the subsequent books, Lee has talked about Thailand’s death camps and how they were treated in England. Lee appreciated all the genuine reviews given by critics and fellow writers. He also expressed his gratitude to the readers for liking his works and helping them become successful.

A mind-blowing book series written by author M.J. Lee is known as the DI Ridpath series. It began in 2018 and comprised of 4 books up to 2020. Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath is depicted as the central character in all the books. The debut book of the series is entitled ‘Where The Truth Lies’. It was released by the Canelo publication in 2018. The book opens by showing that DI Ridpath works for the Manchester CID. He is a promising detective with good detective skills. Ridpath had solved the first case of his career by catching a notorious serial killer. But, 10 years later, he is facing the threat of being removed from the police department and also recovering from an illness. Soon after, a mysterious case comes to the police in which people are getting tortured and murdered. During the initial investigation, it is revealed that this case is connected to the first case solved by Thomas Ridpath. And as the investigation goes on, old bodies begin to disappear, records start vanishing, and people continue to get killed brutally.

Thomas Ridpath finds himself in a turf war between the coroner’s office and the police. He begins to dig up skeletons that others don’t remember and finds himself in a race against the clock to save his marriage, his career, and the lives of innocent people. The case intensifies when a detective disappears. Thomas Ridpath starts doing everything he can to locate the colleague and save him from the brutal killer. This book describes a nail-biting story full of surprises, twists & turns, and shocks. It has a fast-paced storyline that keeps the readers hooked until the last page.

Another excellent novel written in this crime thriller series is known as ‘Where The Dead Fall’. It was also published by the Canelo publication in 2019. This book revolves around a chance encounter and street-side murder that changes everything and sets Thomas Ridpath on the path of chasing another notorious killer. Initially, it is mentioned that there was peace in Manchester for the past 20 years. But, it has started to fade away recently. Ridpath is preparing to get his life back in order. While on his way to meet his kid, he witnesses a terrible motorway accident in which a lorry runs down an almost naked man. The man was running to save his life from a gunman. Ridpath begins looking for the assailant everywhere to find out why he was chasing the victim. But, he wonders why no one else saw the gunman.

The investigation, that initially appeared to follow all the protocols, later turns out to be filled with many inconsistencies. As a result, the entire police force is seen with suspicion, hinting that something sinister is about to happen. It is learned that Manchester is going to face fresh violence unlike all those it has experienced in the past decade. DI Ridpath struggles with the demons inside him while battling the unprecedented conflict. It becomes sure that the streets are going to be filled with blood soon and everyone hopes that the city doesn’t get destroyed completely. Thomas Ridpath keeps working to find a clue about the violent force about to attack Manchester so that it can be stopped. He trusts his instincts more than anything else and doesn’t mind bending a few rules to prevent a disaster from taking place.

2 Responses to “M.J. Lee”

1. Sharon Smith: 7 months ago

   Have read all MJ Lee books, Sinclair, Ridpath and Danilov
   Why is The Irish Convict only available on Kindle, I prefer a book in my hand
   Disappointed it’s not available in paperback

   Reply
2. Anne Shimeall: 9 months ago

   Finished the first 4 books in the Jayne Sinclair series. Found it hard to read about the cruelty of the German army. Also was saddened by the cruel treatment of orphans in the next book. Thank you for opening my eyes to history.

   I really like Jayne. Anne Shimeall, Salem, Oregon, USA

   Reply