Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
Thorne Smith

Thorne Smith Reading Order

5 series · 19 books · Born 1892

Fantasy

Thorne Smith was an American writer who specialized in humorous supernatural fiction, blending comedy with fantastical elements that often involved ghosts, romance, and adult themes. He achieved major commercial success in the 1930s with his Topper series, which became cultural phenomena through both hardcover and paperback editions, featuring irreverent plots filled with drinking, romance, and spectral complications. Smith's wit and satirical approach to the fantastic influenced American humor writing and established a template for comedic fantasy that emphasized character over traditional plot conventions.

Biltmore Oswald Series

Complete

2 books (1918–1919)

Start with Biltmore Oswald and read in order.

Start this series with Biltmore Oswald

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Biltmore Oswald
Biltmore Oswald
1918Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Out O' Luck

Collections Series

Complete

1 book (2011–2011)

#Title
1
Cover of Haunts and By-Paths, and Other Poems
Haunts and By-Paths, and Other Poems
2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Short Stories/Novellas Series

Complete

3 books (2011–2020)

Start with A Smokey Lady in Knickers and read in order.

Start this series with A Smokey Lady in Knickers

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of A Smokey Lady in Knickers
A Smokey Lady in Knickers
2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Yonder's Henry
Yonder's Henry
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
The Bishop’s Jaegers
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

10 books (1927–1941)

Start with Dream's End, the first of 10 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with Dream's End

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
2
The Stray Lamb
1929Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Did She Fall?
1930Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Lazy Bear Lane
1931Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of The Night Life of the Gods
The Night Life of the Gods
1931Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
7
Cover of Rain in the Doorway
Rain in the Doorway
1933Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of Skin and Bones
Skin and Bones
1933Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of The Glorious Pool
The Glorious Pool
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of The Passionate Witch
The Passionate Witch
1941Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Topper Series

Complete

3 books (1926–1932)

Start with The Jovial Ghosts: The Misadventures of Topper and read in order.

Start this series with The Jovial Ghosts: The Misadventures of Topper

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Jovial Ghosts: The Misadventures of Topper
The Jovial Ghosts: The Misadventures of Topper
1926Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Topper
3
Cover of Topper Takes a Trip
Topper Takes a Trip
1932Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Thorne Smith written?
Thorne Smith has written 19 books across 5 series. Their published works span from 1918 to 2020.
What is the first book in each Thorne Smith series?
Here are the first books in Thorne Smith's series: Biltmore Oswald: Biltmore Oswald; Short Stories/Novellas: A Smokey Lady in Knickers; Topper: The Jovial Ghosts: The Misadventures of Topper.
What order should I read Thorne Smith's books?
We recommend reading Thorne Smith's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Are Thorne Smith's series complete?
Thorne Smith has 5 completed series.

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