Lucy Banks
Lucy Banks has published 9 books across 3 series. The recommended reading order starts with Sol the Slug's Night Before Christmas (2016).
Lucy Banks is an English author of paranormal and mystery novels. She writes the Dr. Ribero’s Agency of the Supernatural series, which began with The Case of the Green-Dressed Ghost, described by Publisher's Weekly as 'Ghostbusters with a British accent.' Banks grew up in Hertfordshire, England, where she spent time in libraries and at car-boot sales, expanding her book collection. After teaching English Literature for years, she started her own copywriting business, but the desire to create fiction remained. She made her author debut in 2016, winning Amazon’s A New Night Before Christmas writing competition for her story about a slug who encounters Father Christmas. Banks lives in Devon, South-West England, an area known for spectral tales and bugs, with her husband and two children. She is an avid reader, describing herself as more of a book-python than a bookworm.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Children's Books
- TagschildrenDescriptionThere is a quiet magic in the garden when the frost settles, and nowhere is that more evident than in the tiny, determined journey of Sol. In this charming addition to the Order of Children’s Books series, Lucy Banks captures the anticipation of Christmas Eve through the eyes of a creature usually overlooked by the bustling world above. Sol is not merely a slug; he is a philosopher of the undergrowth, navigating the perils of a cold December night with a heart full of hope and a leaf full of ambition. The story unfolds with a gentle, rhythmic grace, reminding us that the spirit of the season is not found in grand gestures, but in the small, brave acts of kindness that connect us all. What makes this book truly sing is its ability to transform the mundane into the miraculous without losing its grounding in the natural world. Banks writes with a warmth that seeps through the pages like winter sunlight, crafting a narrative that feels both timeless and intimately fresh. It is a story that slows the pulse, inviting the reader to pause and appreciate the overlooked heroes in our own lives. Perfect for reading aloud by the light of the tree, Sol’s adventure is a tender testament to the idea that everyone, no matter how small, has a part to play in the wonder of the night.Publication date8 December 2016Amazon rating4.3/5Print length24LanguageEnglish
Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural Books
- Tagsurban-fantasyfantasymysteryhorrorparanormal-romanceDescriptionWhat happens when logic collides with the impossible? Kester Lanner is about to find out. He’s a man of facts, an academic who lives in the real world. But his mother’s dying wish sends him spiraling into a life he never imagined. He contacts Dr. Ribero, only to discover the man is his father. This isn't a quiet family reunion. It’s an introduction to the family business: catching supernatural ghosts. Kester is thrust into a world where the dead don't always stay dead. Now, he must navigate this strange new reality. He’s out of his depth. The agency is chaotic, the work is dangerous, and the spirits are unpredictable. Kester has to rely on more than just his mind to survive the shift. A powerful ghost in a green dress is haunting the city. It’s a struggle that will test everything Kester thought he knew. This isn't just a job; it's a fight for his future. The supernatural is calling, and he can't ignore it.Publication date7 March 2017Amazon rating4.3/5Print length266LanguageEnglishPublisherAmberjack Publishing
- TagsmysteryhorrorDescriptionWithin the fog-drenched, cobblestoned streets of an alternate Victorian London, the Order of Dr. Ribero’s Agency of the Supernatural tackles the inexplicable with a mix of skepticism and science. Lucy Banks introduces us to a world where the paranormal is not merely a superstition but a bureaucratic nuisance, handled by an agency that operates somewhere between a laboratory and a detective firm. The narrative centers on a peculiar case involving a doppelganger, a phenomenon that suggests identity is far more fluid—and perhaps more dangerous—than the citizens of this gaslit metropolis care to admit. What distinguishes this tale is its refusal to rely on cheap shocks, opting instead for a methodical unraveling of the mystery that mirrors the deductive reasoning of its protagonists. Banks writes with a precise, observant hand, crafting a prose style that feels as crisp and structured as the agency’s case files, yet retains an underlying appreciation for the eerie beauty of the unknown. The tension arises not from sudden violence, but from the psychological implications of a double walking the streets, forcing both the characters and the reader to question the nature of the self.Publication date6 February 2018Amazon rating4.6/5Print length328LanguageEnglishPublisherAmberjack Publishing
- Tagsfantasymysteryhorrorparanormal-romanceDescriptionWhat happens when the supernatural refuses to stay buried beneath the veneer of modern life? In Lucy Banks' The Case of the Hidden Daemon, the boundaries between the mundane and the magical are not merely crossed but thoroughly dismantled, suggesting that the world is far more porous than we dare admit. The narrative invites us to consider how we might explain the inexplicable, forcing a confrontation with the possibility that our rational understanding is merely a fragile shield against darker, older forces. At the heart of this mystery lies the central hook: a daemon that is not merely present but actively concealed, weaving itself into the fabric of everyday existence with terrifying subtlety. The Order of Dr. Ribero’s Agency of the Supernatural is tasked with unraveling this enigma, a challenge that requires them to look past the obvious distractions and identify the true nature of the threat. It is a story that hinges on perception, exploring the terrifying efficiency with which a supernatural entity can hide in plain sight. Banks constructs a world where the stakes are deceptively high, driven by a quiet tension that permeates every interaction. The prose is precise and observant, capturing the unease of a reality that is slowly shifting out of alignment. For those who appreciate a mystery that lingers in the mind long after the final page, this investigation into the hidden corners of the world offers a compelling, atmospheric journey into the unknown.Publication date23 October 2018Amazon rating4.6/5Print length352LanguageEnglishPublisherAmberjack Publishing
- TagsmysteryhorrorDescriptionLucy Banks has crafted a mystery that feels like a warm embrace on a rainy day, blending the cozy comfort of a village whodunit with the electric thrill of the supernatural. It is a story that understands the true weight of a secret, proving that the most twisted truths are often the ones we tell ourselves to survive the night. This isn't just about solving a crime; it is about peeling back the layers of a reality that is far more malleable—and dangerous—than it appears. The atmosphere in Dr. Ribero’s agency is thick with the scent of old parchment and arcane possibility, a place where the mundane and the magical collide with gentle friction. You can almost feel the hum of otherworldly energy in the air, a constant reminder that the world is wider and stranger than logic dictates. It is a setting that invites you in, whispering that everything you know is about to change. At the heart of the chaos lies a puzzle that demands both sharp intellect and an open heart, challenging our heroes to look beyond the obvious. The stakes are personal and profound, threatening to unravel the very fabric of the community they have sworn to protect. Every clue uncovered feels like a small victory, yet each answer only births deeper, more shadowy questions. For anyone who has ever wondered what lurks just beyond the veil of the ordinary, this book is an essential addition to your shelf. It balances the charm of a classic…Publication date6 October 2020Amazon rating4.4/5Print length352LanguageEnglishPublisherAmberjack Publishing
- Tagsmysteryfantasythrillerurban-fantasysuspenseDescriptionThis book is a delightful reminder that the supernatural genre can be cozy, charming, and surprisingly human all at once. Lucy Banks has crafted a mystery that doesn't rely on cheap scares but instead builds a world where the paranormal feels like a natural, albeit quirky, extension of everyday life. It’s the kind of story that wraps around you like a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon, inviting you to suspend disbelief without ever losing your footing. The atmosphere is steeped in a gentle, whimsical fog that lingers over every page, making the setting feel like a character in its own right. You can almost smell the old books and faint scent of tea as you follow the agency’s investigations. The mood is never too heavy, balancing the intrigue of the unknown with a comforting sense of familiarity that makes the impossible feel entirely plausible. At the heart of the story is the enigmatic "Secret Spirit-Half," a puzzle that demands both intellect and empathy to solve. The stakes feel personal, drawing you into the lives of those affected by the supernatural events. It’s not just about solving a case; it’s about understanding the fragile boundary between the seen and unseen worlds. If you’re looking for a mystery that prioritizes heart and atmosphere over adrenaline, this is the one. It’s a story that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page, leaving you with a sense of wonder and a longing for more of Dr. Ribero’s world.Publication date11 October 2022Amazon rating4.8/5Print length288LanguageEnglishPublisherChicago Review Press
Order of Standalone Novels
- Tagshistorical-fictionmysteryhorrorDescriptionThe title alone suggests a grim tableau. A suspended body and a woman who claims to see the future. Lucy Banks positions these figures against a backdrop of rural isolation, where the landscape feels as claustrophobic as the plot itself. It is a story steeped in the weight of expectation and the brittle nature of trust. The atmosphere is thick with unspoken dread. Shadows seem to lengthen in the corners of the narrative. Banks constructs a world where the past is never truly buried, and the present is constantly under surveillance. The mood is one of quiet unease, a slow burn that simmers rather than explodes. At the center lies a collision of fate and agency. The fortune teller’s visions offer no comfort, only a distorted reflection of reality. The hanged man represents a finality that the living are desperate to deny. It is a study in how people deceive themselves when the truth becomes too heavy to carry. Banks writes with a sharp, detached precision. She peels back the layers of her characters’ lives without sentimentality. The prose is clean. The impact is lingering. This is a novel for those who enjoy their psychological thrillers laced with literary grace and moral ambiguity.Publication date17 September 2019Amazon rating3.5/5Print length256LanguageEnglishPublisherAmberjack Publishing
- TagsmysterythrillercrimesuspenseDescriptionWhat happens when the sanctuary we build for ourselves becomes the very mechanism of our entrapment? Lucy Banks explores this unsettling paradox in "Caged Little Birds," a standalone novel that lingers in the gray spaces between protection and imprisonment. The narrative unfolds with the precision of a literary journalist, observing the delicate, often suffocating dynamics of a household where love and control are indistinguishable. Banks dissects the quiet desperation of her characters with a surgeon’s care, revealing how the bars of a cage are often forged from the best intentions. What sets this book apart is its refusal to offer easy answers or melodramatic escapes. Instead, Banks immerses us in the psychological labyrinth of her protagonist, where every glance and unspoken word carries the weight of potential betrayal. The prose is measured yet evocative, drawing the reader into a world that feels both intimately familiar and disturbingly askew. This is not merely a story of confinement, but a profound meditation on the resilience of the human spirit when faced with the impossible choice between safety and freedom.Publication date15 September 2022Amazon rating3.8/5Print length250LanguageEnglishPublisherSandstone Press
- TagssuspensethrillermysterycrimeDescriptionWhat happens when the sanctuary we build for ourselves becomes the very thing that holds us captive? Lucy Banks’ The Depths immerses you in a world where the boundaries between safety and suffocation are blurred, creating an atmosphere so thick with tension you can almost feel the pressure of the water rising around you. It is a story that lingers in the quiet corners of the mind, exploring the fragility of trust and the heavy, silencing weight of secrets kept too long. The mood is claustrophobic yet undeniably seductive, pulling you down into the dark with a slow, deliberate current that makes it impossible to look away. At the heart of this narrative lies a struggle for survival that is as psychological as it is immediate, forcing the protagonist to confront the ghosts she thought she had buried. Banks masterfully ratchets up the unease, letting the dread accumulate drop by drop until the stakes are terrifyingly clear and the past refuses to stay submerged. This is not just a thriller about what lies beneath the surface, but a haunting examination of how far we will go to protect the ones we love, even when they might be the source of the danger.Publication date21 March 2024Amazon rating3.6/5Print length268LanguageEnglishPublisherBloodhound Books
Frequently Asked Questions about Lucy Banks
Lucy Banks writes in several distinct series and standalone novels. The series are the Order of Children's Books, the Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural Books, and standalone novels. Within the Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural Books, the books should be read in the order they were published to follow the narrative. The standalone novels can be read in any order. There is no set reading order that connects the different series or the standalone novels to each other.
A good starting point for Lucy Banks is the first book in the Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural series, The Case of the Green-Dressed Ghost, published in 2017. This series follows a consistent narrative arc. Alternatively, readers can begin with one of her standalone novels, such as The Hanged Man and the Fortune Teller from 2019, or Caged Little Birds from 2022. Her children's book, Sol the Slug's Night Before Christmas, published in 2016, is also an option.
The books within the Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural series are intended to be read in chronological order of publication. This series follows a continuing storyline and characters. The standalone novels, however, can be read independently of each other and in any order the reader chooses. Similarly, Sol the Slug's Night Before Christmas is a separate children's book and does not require a specific reading order in relation to her other works.
Lucy Banks writes both standalone novels and books that are part of series. She has published three standalone novels: The Hanged Man and the Fortune Teller (2019), Caged Little Birds (2022), and The Depths (2024). She also writes books within distinct series. The Order of Children's Books contains one title, and the Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural Books comprises multiple titles that form a cohesive narrative.
Lucy Banks has written a total of nine books. This includes one children's book, Sol the Slug's Night Before Christmas, published in 2016. She has written five books in the Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural series, with publication dates ranging from 2017 to 2022. Additionally, she has published three standalone novels, with the most recent released in 2024.
The first book Lucy Banks wrote was Sol the Slug's Night Before Christmas, published in 2016. This is a children's book. Following this initial publication, she began her series work with the Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural books, starting with The Case of the Green-Dressed Ghost in 2017. Her standalone novels began with The Hanged Man and the Fortune Teller in 2019.
The most recent book written by Lucy Banks is The Depths, published in 2024. This is a standalone novel. Prior to this, her latest publication was Caged Little Birds in 2022, also a standalone novel. The Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural series concluded with The Case of the Secret Spirit-Half in 2022. She also has a children's book from 2016 and another standalone novel from 2019.
Lucy Banks writes fiction across multiple genres. Her Order of Dr. Ribero's Agency Of The Supernatural series falls into the supernatural or paranormal mystery genre. Her standalone novels, such as The Hanged Man and the Fortune Teller and Caged Little Birds, explore different themes and narrative styles, often touching on elements of suspense or drama. She also has a children's book, Sol the Slug's Night Before Christmas.
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We verified the reading order for Lucy Banks's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: April 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Lucy Banks Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/lucy-banks