Zailer & Waterhouse Mysteries Books in Order

Zailer & Waterhouse Mysteries by Sophie Hannah

The Zailer & Waterhouse Mysteries by Sophie Hannah is a gripping series of psychological crime thrillers. It follows the complex relationship between DC Simon Waterhouse and Sergeant Charlotte “Charlie” Zailer as they solve chilling cases. Known for its intricate plots and emotional depth, the series keeps readers guessing until the very end.

Publication Order of Zailer & Waterhouse Mysteries Books

1. Little Face (2006)
2. Hurting Distance / The Truth-Teller’s Lie (2007)
3. The Wrong Mother / The Point of Rescue (2008)
4. The Other Half Lives / The Dead Lie Down (2009)
5. A Room Swept White / The Cradle in the Grave (2010)
6. Lasting Damage / The Other Woman’s House (2011)
7. Kind of Cruel (2012)
8. The Carrier (2013)
9. The Telling Error / Woman with a Secret (2014)
10. The Narrow Bed / The Next to Die (2016)
11. The Couple at the Table (2022)

1. Little Face (2006)

Alice Fancourt returns home to find her newborn baby replaced by another child. Her husband insists she’s mistaken, but Alice is convinced her baby has been swapped. DC Simon Waterhouse and Sergeant Charlie Zailer are called in to investigate. As the case unfolds, secrets about Alice’s marriage and her husband’s past come to light, leading to a shocking conclusion.

2. Hurting Distance / The Truth-Teller’s Lie (2007)

Naomi Jenkins has a secret affair with a married man, Robert. When Robert disappears, Naomi reports him missing, but the police don’t take her seriously. Desperate, she fabricates a story about Robert being a dangerous man. Zailer and Waterhouse are drawn into a web of lies, uncovering a dark and twisted truth.

3. The Wrong Mother / The Point of Rescue (2008)

Sally Thorning’s life takes a terrifying turn when she recognizes a man on the news. He’s Mark Bretherick, a man she had a brief affair with. But the man on TV isn’t the Mark she knew. As Zailer and Waterhouse investigate, they uncover a chilling tale of betrayal, murder, and secrets.

4. The Other Half Lives / The Dead Lie Down (2009)

Ruth Bussey confesses to her boyfriend, Aidan, that she once did something terrible. Aidan, in turn, reveals he killed a woman named Mary Trelease. But Mary is still alive. Zailer and Waterhouse must unravel the truth behind these confessions, leading to a shocking and unexpected resolution.

5. A Room Swept White / The Cradle in the Grave (2010)

TV producer Fliss Benson receives a mysterious card with sixteen numbers. She’s working on a documentary about women falsely accused of killing their children. When one of the women is found dead with a similar card, Zailer and Waterhouse are called in to investigate. The case delves into miscarriages of justice and hidden motives.

6. Lasting Damage / The Other Woman’s House (2011)

Connie Bowskill stumbles upon a live video feed of a murder in progress. But when she shows her husband, the footage is gone. Zailer and Waterhouse investigate, uncovering a story of obsession, deceit, and a house full of secrets.

7. Kind of Cruel (2012)

Amber Hewerdine seeks hypnotherapy to cure her insomnia. During the session, she utters the phrase “Kind of Cruel,” which she doesn’t remember saying. When a murder is linked to these words, Zailer and Waterhouse must uncover the connection between Amber’s past and the crime.

8. The Carrier (2013)

Gaby Struthers is stranded at an airport when she meets a woman who claims her husband is in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Gaby becomes entangled in the case, which leads Zailer and Waterhouse to investigate a complex web of lies, love, and betrayal.

9. The Telling Error / Woman with a Secret (2014)

Nicki Clements is hiding something. When a controversial columnist is murdered, Nicki’s behavior draws the attention of Zailer and Waterhouse. The investigation reveals a tangled web of secrets, lies, and a killer hiding in plain sight.

10. The Narrow Bed / The Next to Die (2016)

A serial killer is targeting pairs of friends, leaving a small white book at each crime scene. Zailer and Waterhouse must race against time to stop the killer before they strike again. This book explores themes of friendship, loneliness, and the dark side of human nature.

11. The Couple at the Table (2022)

A newlywed couple is found dead at an exclusive resort. The guests are all suspects, and everyone has a motive. Zailer and Waterhouse must navigate a maze of lies and secrets to uncover the truth in this locked-room mystery.

Why You’ll Love Zailer & Waterhouse Mysteries

The Zailer & Waterhouse Mysteries series is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and complex characters. Sophie Hannah’s writing is sharp, with intricate plots that keep you guessing until the very end. The dynamic between Zailer and Waterhouse adds depth to the stories, making them more than just crime novels. Each book explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the darker side of human nature.

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