R.F. Delderfield Reading Order
7 series · 55 books
R.F. Delderfield was a prolific English author known for his engaging storytelling in the genres of historical fiction and drama. Over his career from 1946 to 1973, he penned 55 novels across seven series, including notable works like Horseman Riding By and the Swann Family Saga. His narratives often bring vivid characters and rich settings to life, making him a beloved figure in 20th-century literature.
Avenue Series
Complete2 books (1958–1958)
Start with The Avenue Goes to War and read in order.
Diana Series
Complete2 books (1960–1962)
Start with Diana and read in order.
Horseman Riding By Series
Complete3 books (1966–1969)
Start with Long Summer Day and read in order.
Non-Fiction Series
Complete10 books (1946–1970)
Start with These Clicks Made History, the first of 10 books in the Non-Fiction series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | These Clicks Made History 1946Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 | The Fascinating History of Budleigh and District 1947Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 | Bird's Eye View 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  The March of the Twenty-Six / Napoleon's Marshals 1962Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 | Tales Out of School 1963Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  Retreat from Moscow 1967Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  For My Own Amusement 1968Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | Imperial Sunset 1968Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  Napoleon in Love 1969Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | Overture for Beginners 1970Buy 🇺🇸 |
Plays Series
Complete21 books (1948–1962)
Start with Peace Comes to Peckham, the first of 21 books in the Plays series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Peace Comes to Peckham 1948Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Queen Came By 1949Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Sailors Beware 1950Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 | Nobody Shouted Author 1951Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 | Made to Measure 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  Miaow! Miaow! 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 | Smoke in the Valley 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | The Bride Wore an Opal Ring 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  The Old Lady of Cheadle 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | Waggonload O'Monkeys 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 | Absent Lover 1953Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 | Golden Rain 1953Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  Spark in Judea 1953Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 | And Then There Were None 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 |  Guinea Pigs 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 16 |  Home is the Hunted 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 17 | Ten Till Five 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 18 | The Orchard Walls 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 19 |  The Roundelay Tradition 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 20 | Flashpoint 1958Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 21 | Wild Mink 1962Buy 🇺🇸 |
Standalone Novels Series
Complete14 books (1947–1972)
Start with All Over The Town, the first of 14 books in the Standalone Novels series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  All Over The Town 1947Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Farewell the Tranquil Mind 1950Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Seven Men of Gascony 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 | The Adventures of Ben Gunn 1956Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  There Was a Fair Maid Dwelling 1960Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  Stop at a Winner 1961Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  The Spring Madness of Mr Sermon / Mr. Sermon 1963Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | The Golden Millstones: Napoleon's Brother and Sisters 1964Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 | Too Few for Drums 1964Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | Under an English Sky 1964Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  Cheap Day Return 1967Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  Return Journey 1967Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  Charlie, Come Home / Come Home Charlie and Face Them 1969Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  To Serve Them All My Days 1972Buy 🇺🇸 |
Swann Family Saga Series
Complete3 books (1970–1973)
Start with God is an Englishman and read in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has R.F. Delderfield written?
- R.F. Delderfield has written 55 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1946 to 1973.
- What is the first book in each R.F. Delderfield series?
- Here are the first books in R.F. Delderfield's series: Avenue: The Avenue Goes to War; Diana: Diana; Horseman Riding By: Long Summer Day; Non-Fiction: These Clicks Made History; Plays: Peace Comes to Peckham.
- What order should I read R.F. Delderfield's books?
- We recommend reading R.F. Delderfield's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are R.F. Delderfield's series complete?
- R.F. Delderfield has 7 completed series.