Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murphy’s Law | 2002 | Colin Bateman | Buy |
| 2 | Murphy’s Revenge | 2005 | Colin Bateman | Buy |
The Martin Murphy series consists of two novels by Colin Bateman, both connected to the BBC television drama Murphy’s Law. Bateman created the TV show, which starred James Nesbitt as an undercover detective whose personal life is in shambles. When Bateman found he had more material than the show could use, he turned to prose fiction. He changed the protagonist’s first name from Tommy to Martin to give himself creative freedom separate from the television version.
Murphy’s Law (2002) introduces a detective whose methods are unconventional and whose personal demons are never far from the surface. Murphy’s Revenge (2005) continues the story with the same blend of gritty crime and dark humor that Bateman is known for. Fans of the BBC show will recognize the DNA of the character, but the novels stand on their own as tightly written crime thrillers.