Order of E.C.R. Lorac Books
E.C.R. Lorac was a British crime writer during the golden age of detective fiction best known for writing the Chief Inspector Robert Macdonald series of books. She also wrote under the pen names of E. C. R. Lorac, Carol Carnac and Mary Le Bourne.
Lorac was born in Middelsex in 1894. She would attend the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London which would serve her well as she’d work as a craft practitioner throughout her life. Her embroidery and calligraphy has been on display at Westminster Abbey. She made her debut as an author in 191 with The Murder on the Burrows. Edith passed away in 1958. Her books have since seen a resurgence thanks to the British Crime Classics series.
Publication Order of Inspector Ryvet Books
(as Carol Carnac)
Triple Death | (1936) | |
The Missing Rope | (1937) | |
Murder at Mornington | (1937) | |
The Case of the First-Class Carriage | (1939) | |
When the Devil Was Sick | (1939) | |
Death in the Diving Pool | (1940) |
Publication Order of Julian Rivers Books
(as Carol Carnac)
Publication Order of Robert MacDonald Books
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
The Burning Question | (1957) | |
Death in Triplicate | (1958) | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Death of a Lady Killer | (1959) | |
Two-Way Murder | (2021) | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Publication Order of British Library Crime Classics Books
If You Like E.C.R. Lorac Books, You’ll Love…
Checkmate to Murder takes palace as World War II is taking its toll on London. While at a party, a civil servant and a government scientist play chess while an artist paints a portrait. In the kitchen of the home, the artist’s sister is hosting the charlady of the miser next door. When the miser turns up dead, Inspector Macdonald of Scotland Yard is called to the scene. Macdonald and his team will need to figure out if one of the members of the studio party is responsible, or it was some other neighbor.
Another Macdonald book is Bats in the Belfry. The case involves Bruce Attleton who had great success in London’s literary scene with his first two novels, but his star faded after that. He is married to a glittering actress who now considers him a failure and the two lead separate lives. Bruce is called away on a trip to Paris and vanishes completely. His suitcase and passport are found in an artist’s studio and now Inspector Macdonald must sort through Bruce’s secrets to find out the truth.