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series Reading Order

Christopher Redmayne Books in Order

6 Books
1999 – 2007 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Order

For the best experience, you should read the Christopher Redmayne series in publication order. Because the books follow a linear timeline and trace the evolving, uneasy alliance between the main characters, the chronological story matches the order in which the books were released.

Start your journey with the first book, The King's Evil, to understand how the Cavalier architect and the Puritan constable first cross paths during a high-stakes murder investigation.

Christopher Redmayne Books in Order

  • The King's Evil (1999) – Set in the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1666, Christopher Redmayne is commissioned to design a grand home for Sir Ambrose Northcott, but the project is derailed when Sir Ambrose is murdered. Redmayne must team up with the suspicious Puritan constable Jonathan Bale to find the culprit.
  • The Amorous Nightingale (2000) – Redmayne is hired to design a lavish house for Lord Feversham to win the affections of the beautiful opera singer Harriet Gow. When Harriet is suddenly kidnapped, Christopher is drawn into the search.
  • The Repentant Rake (2001) – Christopher designs a townhouse for Sir Julius Cheever, a Northamptonshire squire seeking to reform London morals. When Sir Julius's dissolute son goes missing and a mysterious blackmailer targets London's rakes, Christopher and Jonathan investigate.
  • The Frost Fair (2003) – During the exceptionally cold winter of 1669, the River Thames freezes over. While visiting the frost fair, a body is discovered frozen in the ice. The mystery hits close to home when Christopher's brother, Henry, is accused of the crime.
  • The Parliament House (2006) – Set in 1670, Christopher finishes building a beautiful home for merchant Francis Polegate. A celebratory housewarming party ends in tragedy when one of the guests is murdered right outside the front door.
  • The Painted Lady (2007) – The final novel in the series finds Christopher designing a house for Sir Martin Culthorpe. When Sir Martin is murdered while his beautiful wife Araminta is sitting for a portrait, Christopher and Jonathan must sift through her circle of admirers.

Connections, Spin-offs, and Other Series

Although the author Keith Miles has written multiple popular historical mystery series under the pseudonym Edward Marston, there are no crossovers or spin-offs connecting Christopher Redmayne to his other universes. Fans of Marston's style will find similar historic depth in his other works, such as the Nicholas Bracewell series (set in Elizabethan England) and The Railway Detective series (set in Victorian times), but each series operates independently.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start the Christopher Redmayne series?

You should start with the first novel, The King's Evil (1999). It establishes the setting of Restoration London and introduces the central partnership between the architect Christopher Redmayne and constable Jonathan Bale.

QIs the chronological order of the books different from the publication order?

No. The chronological order and the publication order are exactly the same. Reading them from the first book to the sixth provides a natural progression of the characters' lives and partnerships.

QHow many books are in the Christopher Redmayne series?

There are six novels in the series, starting with The King's Evil in 1999 and concluding with The Painted Lady in 2007.

QAre there any crossovers between Christopher Redmayne and other Edward Marston series?

No. While Edward Marston (Keith Miles) is famous for other historical series like The Railway Detective or the Domesday Books, each series is completely standalone and set in a different historical era.

QWho is the main companion helping Christopher Redmayne solve mysteries?

His main partner is Jonathan Bale, a Puritan constable who offers a sharp moral and social contrast to Christopher's Cavalier lifestyle. Christopher's brother, Henry Redmayne, also frequently assists or causes complications.

QWhy did the Christopher Redmayne series end?

The series concluded naturally with the sixth book, The Painted Lady, in 2007. The author shifted focus to his other ongoing series, particularly The Railway Detective.