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Philip Kerr

3 series 9 books in order

Philip Kerr was a British author who wrote both adult fiction and non-fiction. He earned a master's degree in law and philosophy before working as an advertising copywriter for Saatchi and Saatchi. He began writing full-time in 1989 and is best known for the Bernie Gunther series, a collection of historical thrillers set in Germany and elsewhere during the 1930s, the Second World War, and the Cold War. He also wrote children's books under the name P.B. Kerr, including the Children of the Lamp series. Kerr contributed to publications such as The Sunday Times, the Evening Standard, and the New Statesman. He was married to fellow novelist Jane Thynne.

Born
1956
Known for
Berlin Noir trilogy, Bernie Gunther, Children of the Lamp

Where to start with Philip Kerr

Start with March Violets, the first book in the Berlin Noir trilogy, published in 1989. This series, set in Nazi Germany, follows a Berlin detective navigating moral ambiguity and political upheaval. Proceed with the remaining two books in the trilogy—The Pale Criminal and A German Requiem—in publication order to experience the full arc of the series. After completing the Berlin Noir trilogy, move to the Bernie Gunther series, beginning with The One from the Other, published in 2006. Continue through the five books in publication order, as each builds on the previous, following Bernie Gunther’s journey through the Second World War and into the Cold War. The series is set in chronological order within the narrative, though publication order aligns with the timeline. No other works by Philip Kerr are included in this catalog.

Series by Philip Kerr

Berlin Noir trilogy

3 books in order · 1989–1991

  1. Cover of March violets

    March violets

    1989 · Philip Kerr

    March Violets is a 1989 historical detective novel by Philip Kerr, the first to feature detective Bernhard "Bernie" Gunther. It is the first…

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  2. Cover of The Pale Criminal

    The Pale Criminal

    1990 · Philip Kerr

    Bernhard Gunther is a private investigator in Germany in 1938. He is hired by a rich widow to find out who is blackmailing her. He is also asked by…

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  3. Cover of A German requiem

    A German requiem

    1991 · Philip Kerr

    A German Requiem is a 1991 historical detective novel and the last in the Berlin Noir trilogy of Bernhard Gunther novels, written by Philip Kerr.…

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Bernie Gunther

5 books in order · 2006–2018

  1. Cover of The One from the Other

    The One from the Other

    2006 · Philip Kerr

    In 1949, Bernie Gunther, a former police officer turned private detective, struggles through a difficult time. His wife is dying, and he fears the SS…

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  2. Cover of A Quiet Flame

    A Quiet Flame

    2008 · Philip Kerr

    A Quiet Flame is a 2008 crime novel by British author Philip Kerr. It is the fifth book in the Bernie Gunther series and is set in Peronist Argentina…

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  3. If the Dead Rise Not

    2009 · Philip Kerr

    If the Dead Rise Not is a crime novel by Philip Kerr, the sixth in the series featuring Berlin police detective Bernie Gunther. It was published in…

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  4. Cover of Prague Fatale

    Prague Fatale

    2011 · Philip Kerr

    Prague Fatale is a 2011 crime thriller written by British author Philip Kerr. It is the ninth book in the Bernie Gunther series, which follows the…

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  5. Cover of Greeks bearing gifts

    Greeks bearing gifts

    2018 · Philip Kerr

    Greeks bearing gifts is a 2018 book by Philip Kerr. It is book 13 of the series Bernie Gunther. Catalog genres: Historical Mystery, War & Military,…

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Children of the Lamp

7 books in order · 2004–2011

  1. Cover of The Akhenaten Adventure

    The Akhenaten Adventure

    2004 · P. B. Kerr

    In this 2004 novel by P. B. Kerr, twelve-year-old twins John and Philippa Gaunt discover they are descended from djinn, gaining powers to grant…

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  2. Cover of The Blue Djinn of Babylon

    The Blue Djinn of Babylon

    2005 · P. B. Kerr

    In this 2005 novel, twelve-year-old twins Philippa and John have more adventures when they become involved in an international escapade involving the…

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  3. Cover of The Cobra King of Kathmandu

    The Cobra King of Kathmandu

    2006 · P. B. Kerr

    In the third book of the Children of the Lamp series, djinn twins John and Philippa Gaunt pursue a magical mystery that takes them from New York to…

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  4. Cover of The Day of the Djinn Warriors

    The Day of the Djinn Warriors

    2007 · P. B. Kerr

    Djinn twins John and Philippa embark on another adventure around the globe and into unknown worlds, racing to rescue their mother from her fate as…

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  5. Cover of The Eye of the Forest

    The Eye of the Forest

    2009 · P. B. Kerr

    John and Philippa Gaunt are drawn into a mystery reaching into the Amazon jungle after a collection of Incan artifacts goes missing. The Blue Djinn…

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  6. Cover of The Five Fakirs of Faizabad

    The Five Fakirs of Faizabad

    2010 · P. B. Kerr and Philip Ballantyne Kerr

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  7. Cover of The grave robbers of Genghis Khan

    The grave robbers of Genghis Khan

    2011 · P. B. Kerr and Philip Kerr

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Frequently asked questions

How many books has Philip Kerr written?

We list 9 books by Philip Kerr across 3 series, published between 1989–2018 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Philip Kerr's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “March violets.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Philip Kerr's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.