Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dead to Me | 2012 | Cath Staincliffe | Buy |
| 2 | Bleed Like Me | 2013 | Cath Staincliffe | Buy |
| 3 | Ruthless | 2014 | Cath Staincliffe | Buy |
DC Rachel Bailey and DC Janet Scott work together in the Major Incident Team of the Manchester Metropolitan Police. The two detectives have very different personalities and personal lives, but they form an effective partnership when investigating serious crimes. Cath Staincliffe co-created these characters for the ITV television series and brought them to the page in three novels starting with Dead to Me in 2012.
Each book centers on a murder case that the team must work through using witness interviews, forensic evidence, and old-fashioned legwork. Rachel is impulsive and sometimes reckless, while Janet is more measured and experienced. Their friendship and professional tension drive much of the story alongside the criminal investigations. The novels stand on their own and don’t require familiarity with the TV show, though fans of the series will recognize the characters and the gritty Manchester backdrop.