Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
Kate Atkinson

Kate Atkinson Reading Order

7 series · 29 books · Born 1951-01-01

Kate Atkinson is a British novelist whose career spans nearly three decades of literary fiction across multiple genres and formats. She is best known for her Jackson Brodie detective series featuring a sharp-witted private investigator navigating contemporary Scottish mysteries, alongside standalone novels and short story collections that showcase her range from domestic drama to inventive, time-shifting narratives. Her debut novel earned major acclaim and established her reputation for intelligent storytelling, character depth, and formal experimentation that continues to define her work across her extensive bibliography.

Anthologies Series

Complete

4 books (2009–2011)

Start with Freedom, the first of 4 books in the Anthologies series.

Start this series with Freedom

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Freedom
2
Cover of Midsummer Nights
Midsummer Nights
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Ox-Tales: Earth
Ox-Tales: Earth
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8
The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8
2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Jackson Brodie Series

Ongoing

6 books (2004–2024)

Start with Case Histories, the first of 6 books in the Jackson Brodie series.

Start this series with Case Histories

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#Title
1
Cover of Case Histories
Case Histories
2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of One Good Turn
One Good Turn
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of When Will There Be Good News?
When Will There Be Good News?
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of Started Early, Took My Dog
Started Early, Took My Dog
2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Big Sky
6
Cover of Death at the Sign of the Rook
Death at the Sign of the Rook
2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Out Of Line Series

Complete

7 books (2020–2020)

Start with Bear Witness(By: Mary Gaitskill), the first of 7 books in the Out Of Line series.

Start this series with Bear Witness(By: Mary Gaitskill)

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Bear Witness(By: Mary Gaitskill)
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Graceful Burdens(By: Roxane Gay)
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Halfway to Free(By: Emma Donoghue)
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Shine, Pamela! Shine!
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Sweet Virginia(By: Caroline Kepnes)
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
The Contractors(By: Lisa Ko)
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
This Telling(By: Cheryl Strayed)
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Short Story Collections Series

Likely Complete

3 books (2002–2023)

Start with Not the End of the World and read in order.

Start this series with Not the End of the World

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Not the End of the World
Not the End of the World
2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Festive Spirits
Festive Spirits
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Normal Rules Don't Apply
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Likely Complete

6 books (1995–2026)

Start with Behind the Scenes at the Museum, the first of 5 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with Behind the Scenes at the Museum

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Behind the Scenes at the Museum
Behind the Scenes at the Museum
1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Human Croquet
Human Croquet
1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Emotionally Weird
2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Transcription
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Shrines of Gaiety
Shrines of Gaiety
2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Our Noble Selves
2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Plays Series

Complete

1 book (2000–2000)

#Title
1
Cover of Abandonment

Todd Family Series

Complete

2 books (2013–2015)

Start with Life After Life and read in order.

Start this series with Life After Life

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Life After Life
Life After Life
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of A God in Ruins
A God in Ruins
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Kate Atkinson written?
Kate Atkinson has written 29 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1995 to 2026.
What is the first book in each Kate Atkinson series?
Here are the first books in Kate Atkinson's series: Anthologies: Freedom; Jackson Brodie: Case Histories; Out Of Line: Bear Witness(By: Mary Gaitskill); Short Story Collections: Not the End of the World; Todd Family: Life After Life.
What order should I read Kate Atkinson's books?
We recommend reading Kate Atkinson's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Kate Atkinson still writing new books?
Yes, Kate Atkinson has 1 ongoing series: Jackson Brodie.

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