Laurie R. King Reading Order
10 series · 63 books · Born 1952
Laurie R. King is a prolific author renowned for her compelling blend of mystery and historical fiction, with a career spanning from 1993 to 2025. She has penned 63 books across 10 series, including the acclaimed Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, which features notable works like The Beekeeper’s Apprentice. As a distinguished figure in the literary world, King has received numerous awards, solidifying her status as a master storyteller.
Anthologies Series
Likely Complete13 books (1999–2021)
Start with Irreconcilable Differences, the first of 13 books in the Anthologies series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Irreconcilable Differences 1999Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Criminal Kabbalah: An Intriguing Anthology of Jewish Mystery and Detective Fiction 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 | Murder at the Foul Line 2003Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 | Wild Crimes 2004Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  Unusual Suspects 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  A Study in Sherlock 2011Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  In the Company of Sherlock Holmes 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | Writes of Passage 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  Echoes of Sherlock Holmes 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  Bound by Mystery 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  For the Sake of the Game 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  In League with Sherlock Holmes 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
Folly Island Series
Complete1 book (2001–2001)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Folly 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
Harris Stuyvesant Series
Complete2 books (2007–2013)
Start with Touchstone and read in order.
Kate Martinelli Series
Complete6 books (1993–2019)
Start with A Grave Talent, the first of 6 books in the Kate Martinelli series.
Mary Russell Non-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (2014–2014)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Mary Russell Companion 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Series
Ongoing24 books (1994–2025)
Start with The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first of 24 books in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Beekeeper's Apprentice 1994Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  A Monstrous Regiment of Women 1995Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  A Letter of Mary 1996Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  The Moor 1998Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  O Jerusalem 1999Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  Justice Hall 2002Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  The Game 2004Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  Locked Rooms 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 | The Marriage of Billie Birdsong 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  The Language of Bees 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  The God of the Hive 2010Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  Pirate King 2011Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  Garment of Shadows 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  Dreaming Spies 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 | Mary Russell's War 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 16 | Mary Russell's War 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 17 | Mary's Christmas 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 18 | The Marriage of Mary Russell 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 19 |  The Murder of Mary Russell 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 20 |  Island of the Mad 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 21 |  Riviera Gold 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 22 |  Castle Shade 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 23 | The Lantern's Dance 2024Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 24 | Knave of Diamonds 2025Buy 🇺🇸 |
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete3 books (2011–2016)
Start with Beekeeping for Beginners and read in order.
Non-Fiction Series
Complete3 books (2012–2013)
Start with The Arvon Book of Crime and Thriller Writing and read in order.
Short Stories/Novellas Series
Ongoing4 books (1999–2025)
Start with Paleta Man, the first of 4 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Standalone Novels Series
Likely Complete6 books (1998–2022)
Start with A Darker Place, the first of 6 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Laurie R. King written?
- Laurie R. King has written 63 books across 10 series. Their published works span from 1993 to 2025.
- What is the first book in each Laurie R. King series?
- Here are the first books in Laurie R. King's series: Anthologies: Irreconcilable Differences; Harris Stuyvesant: Touchstone; Kate Martinelli: A Grave Talent; Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes: The Beekeeper's Apprentice; Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Short Stories/Novellas: Beekeeping for Beginners.
- What order should I read Laurie R. King's books?
- We recommend reading Laurie R. King's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Laurie R. King still writing new books?
- Yes, Laurie R. King has 2 ongoing series: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Short Stories/Novellas.