David Hunter is the forensic anthropologist in Simon Beckett’s crime thrillers. He examines decomposed or damaged remains to help identify victims and establish how they died.
In The Chemistry of Death, Hunter has left forensic work after a personal tragedy and is living as a country doctor in Norfolk. A murder investigation calls on his specialist knowledge and draws him back into the work he had tried to leave.
Read the novels in publication order for Hunter’s continuing personal story. The linked series page also lists the related short fiction and the current placement of The Bone Garden.
Reading Order#
See the complete David Hunter reading order for all books in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Hunter?
David Hunter is a forensic anthropologist created by Simon Beckett. He specializes in human decomposition and helps police identify remains and determine cause of death. Beckett was inspired to create the character after visiting the University of Tennessee’s Body Farm in 2002.
What book does David Hunter first appear in?
David Hunter first appears in The Chemistry of Death (2006), where he is living in a small Norfolk village trying to put his past behind him when a body is discovered in the marshes.
Should the David Hunter books be read in order?
Yes. The cases are separate, but Hunter’s personal history and professional relationships develop across the novels. Start with The Chemistry of Death.