Malcolm Fox Books in Order

FictionMystery & DetectiveThriller & Suspense

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The Malcolm Fox series follows a detective working within a specialized unit that investigates misconduct among police officers, often referred to as The Dark Side. Set in Scotland, the novels explore the complexities of law enforcement, the weight of historical secrets, and the personal and professional risks involved in uncovering the truth. The series examines the lingering impact of past actions and the challenges of navigating institutional power.

Publication order

In the order the books were originally released.

  1. Cover of The complaints

    The complaints

    2009 · Ian Rankin

    Nobody likes the Complaints, the cops who investigate other cops, a department known within the force as "The Dark Side." Malcolm Fox works there,…

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  2. Cover of The impossible dead

    The impossible dead

    2011 · Ian Rankin

    Malcolm Fox is asked to handle a simple case of police abuse, but as he investigates, he uncovers a disturbing death from the 1980s. His search for…

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Frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Malcolm Fox books in?

Read them in publication order, starting with “The complaints”. Start with “The complaints.”

How many books are in the Malcolm Fox series?

We list 2 books by Ian Rankin , published between 2009–2011.

Where can I buy the Malcolm Fox books?

Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.

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.