WPC Lottie Armstrong Mystery Books in Order

The WPC Lottie Armstrong mysteries follow a woman determined to do real police work in periods when the job offers her very little room to do it. Lottie first appears in Modern Crimes, set in Leeds in 1924. The First World War is over, but the city is still dealing with poverty, unemployment, social change, and the damage left behind by conflict.

Lottie is Leeds's first policewoman, and she is eager to prove that she belongs on the force. Officially, her work is restricted to women and children. In practice, she has the instincts, persistence, and courage needed for much more. A missing-girl case gives her the chance to work alongside CID, but it also shows how quickly a woman officer can be punished for showing initiative.

She has to be clever because the rules are stacked against her.

The first book moves from the city's poorest streets to wealthy homes and the Royal Hotel, a gathering place for people whose lives must remain hidden. Lottie faces a case shaped by class, sexuality, corruption, and the casual assumptions made by men in authority. Her investigation is not just about catching a killer, it is also about claiming the right to be taken seriously.

The second novel, The Year of the Gun, shifts forward to 1944. Lottie has been dismissed from the regular force in the years between the books, but wartime need has brought her back as part of the Women's Auxiliary Police Corps. Detective Chief Superintendent McMillan is now leading a depleted CID, with many male officers away in the armed forces. The blackout, shortages, and constant uncertainty give the investigation a tense wartime atmosphere.

That time jump makes the series unusual. It shows that Lottie's fight for a place in policing has not been simple or steady. She gains opportunities because the world changes, but those opportunities are still limited by the attitudes around her. Her partnership with McMillan offers experience and support, while Lottie's own local knowledge and stubbornness keep driving the cases forward.

These are historical police mysteries with a strong focus on a woman navigating male institutions. They are not cosy, and the crimes can be harsh, but Lottie is an engaging guide through both eras. Start with Modern Crimes to meet her at the beginning of her career, then continue with The Year of the Gun for her wartime return.