Irene Kelly Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Goodnight, Irene | 1993 | Buy |
| Sweet Dreams, Irene | 1994 | Buy |
| Dear Irene | 1995 | Buy |
| Remember Me, Irene | 1996 | Buy |
| Hocus | 1997 | Buy |
| Liar | 1998 | Buy |
| Bones | 1999 | Buy |
| Flight | 2001 | Buy |
| Bloodlines | 2005 | Buy |
| Kidnapped | 2006 | Buy |
| Disturbance | 2011 | Buy |
Standalone Novels
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Nine | 2002 | Buy |
| The Messenger | 2008 | Buy |
Jan Burke is an American author best known for her Irene Kelly series of mystery novels. Born in Texas, she worked in journalism before turning to fiction writing. Her debut novel Goodnight, Irene won the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award for Best First Novel, launching her career in crime fiction.
Burke’s writing combines classic mystery elements with contemporary issues and character development. The Irene Kelly character—a newspaper reporter turned amateur detective—has evolved through the series, dealing with both professional challenges in the newsroom and personal relationships. The series is set in the fictional Southern California city of Las Piernas and features recurring characters including Irene’s police detective husband, Frank Harriman.
In addition to the Irene Kelly series, Burke has written standalone novels and contributed to anthologies. Her work has been praised for its strong female protagonist and its exploration of the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists investigating crime.
Burke is also active in the mystery writing community, serving as president of the Mystery Writers of America in 2009-2010. She continues to write both series and standalone novels, maintaining her reputation in the crime fiction genre.