Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide

Laura Joh Rowland Reading Order

3 series · 27 books · Born 1954

Action & AdventureHistorical FictionMystery & Thriller

Laura Joh Rowland is an American author who specializes in historical mysteries spanning three distinct time periods and locations. Her most acclaimed work follows Sano Ichiro, a samurai detective navigating corruption and crime in 17th-century Edo Japan, while her other series reimagine real historical figures like Charlotte Brontë and fictional detectives confronting the dark underbelly of Victorian England during the Jack the Ripper era. With nearly three decades of published work, Rowland combines meticulous historical detail with intricate plots that appeal to readers seeking adventure and suspense grounded in authentic settings.

Sano Ichiro Series

Complete

18 books (1994–2014)

Start with Shinju, the first of 18 books in the Sano Ichiro series.

Start this series with Shinju

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#Title
1
Cover of Shinju
2
Cover of Bundori
3
Cover of The Way of the Traitor
The Way of the Traitor
1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Concubine's Tattoo
The Concubine's Tattoo
1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of The Samurai's Wife
The Samurai's Wife
2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of Black Lotus
7
Cover of The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria
The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria
2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of The Dragon King's Palace
The Dragon King's Palace
2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of The Perfumed Sleeve
The Perfumed Sleeve
2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of The Assassin's Touch
The Assassin's Touch
2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of Red Chrysanthemum
Red Chrysanthemum
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Cover of The Snow Empress
The Snow Empress
2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
Cover of The Fire Kimono
The Fire Kimono
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14
Cover of The Cloud Pavilion
The Cloud Pavilion
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15
Cover of The Ronin's Mistress
The Ronin's Mistress
2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16
Cover of The Incense Game
The Incense Game
2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17
Cover of The Shogun's Daughter
The Shogun's Daughter
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18
Cover of The Iris Fan
The Iris Fan
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë Series

Complete

2 books (2008–2010)

Start with The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë and read in order.

Start this series with The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë

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#Title
1
The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Bedlam: The Further Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë
Bedlam: The Further Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë
2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Victorian Mystery Series

Likely Complete

7 books (2017–2023)

Start with The Ripper's Shadow, the first of 7 books in the Victorian Mystery series.

Start this series with The Ripper's Shadow

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#Title
1
Cover of The Ripper's Shadow
The Ripper's Shadow
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of A Mortal Likeness
A Mortal Likeness
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Hangman's Secret
The Hangman's Secret
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Woman in the Veil
The Woman in the Veil
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Portrait of Peril
Portrait of Peril
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Garden of Sins
2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
River of Fallen Angels
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Laura Joh Rowland written?
Laura Joh Rowland has written 27 books across 3 series. Their published works span from 1994 to 2023.
What is the first book in each Laura Joh Rowland series?
Here are the first books in Laura Joh Rowland's series: Sano Ichiro: Shinju; The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë: The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë; Victorian Mystery: The Ripper's Shadow.
What order should I read Laura Joh Rowland's books?
We recommend reading Laura Joh Rowland's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Are Laura Joh Rowland's series complete?
Laura Joh Rowland has 2 completed series.

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