Malliet's first books followed DCI St. Just on a series of cases, all of which involved writers of mystery novels and other genres.
[1][2] Her second series, the Max Tudor mysteries, takes place in the fictional English town of Nether Monkslip, and features a vicar who is a former MI5 agent.
[3] Her third series, the Augusta Hawke mysteries, takes place in Old Town, Virginia, US, and features a crime writer turned sleuth and private eye.
[5] She received a Malice Domestic Grant in 2003 to write Death of a Cozy Writer.
[8] Several of her short stories - published in anthologies, in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and in The Strand - have been nominated for writing awards.