Order of Claire Askew Books

Claire Askew is a Scottish poet, educator, and author. She is best known in the writing world as the author and creator of the DI Helen Birch series of books.

Claire’s education career had her working for five years in Further Education at Edinburgh College before she went on to become the Adult Learning Project Co-Ordinator at Scottish Book Trust. She worked on projects for young people and adults who struggle with literacy, and designed best practice CPD training around literacy and reading. She would then become the schools writer in residence at worked with Craigroyston High School students to create their own magazine.

Publication Order of DI Helen Birch Books

Publication Order of Poetry Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

If You Like Claire Askew Books, You’ll Love…

• Louise Penny
• Ann Cleeves
• Ruth Ware

All the Hidden Truths was Askew’s debut novel and the Winner of the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Debut of the Year. The book takes place in the aftermath of a horrible tragedy, the Three Rivers College shooting. People know who did and when they did it, but nobody seems to know why. DI Helen Birch is the detective put on the case and the lack of answers is killing her. The same can be said for Ishbel, the mother of the first victim, and Moira who is the mother of the killer. The three are all on their own search for answers and the public is searching for someone to blame, while the truth gets lost in the process.

Askew followed that book up with What You Pay For. This book sees DI Birch facing down with her past. She joined the police in hopes of finding her little brother Charlie who disappeared fourteen years ago. She never did find Charlie, but she did find meaning in helping others. Birch takes part in a raid on one of Scotland’s most feared criminal organizations and a couple of days later, Charlie comes back. This is no coincidence and what Askew will have to do next puts her in an impossible situation, a choice between her job and her family.