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series Reading Order

Crowner John Books in Order

30 Books
2 Reading orders
1998 – 2012 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Crowner John

For most readers, the recommended starting point for the Crowner John series is The Sanctuary Seeker (1998), the first book published. Starting here introduces you to the characters, setting, and political tensions of 12th-century Devon exactly as the author originally intended.

However, if you prefer a strict timeline of events, you can start with the prequel Crowner's Crusade (2012). While it was published last, it depicts Sir John's journey home from the Crusades and his transition into his role as coroner.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Bernard Knight wrote fifteen novels in the series between 1998 and 2012. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly, with the single exception of the final book, Crowner's Crusade, which serves as a prequel to the rest of the series.

  • The Sanctuary Seeker (1998)
  • The Poisoned Chalice (1998)
  • Crowner's Quest (1999)
  • The Awful Secret (2000)
  • The Tinner's Corpse (2001)
  • The Grim Reaper (2002)
  • Fear in the Forest (2003)
  • The Witch Hunter (2004)
  • Figure of Hate (2005)
  • The Elixir of Death (2006)
  • The Noble Outlaw (2007)
  • The Manor of Death (2008)
  • Crowner Royal (2009)
  • A Plague of Heretics (2010)
  • Crowner's Crusade (2012 - Prequel)

Collaborations and The Medieval Murderers

In addition to the main novels, Bernard Knight was a founding member of the collaborative writing group The Medieval Murderers. In their first book, The Tainted Relic (2005), Sir John de Wolfe features in a dedicated novella investigating a mystery surrounding a cursed relic. If you enjoy the main series, these collaborative projects offer an excellent way to see Crowner John alongside other famous historical detectives.

Frequently Asked

QCan I read the Crowner John books out of order?

While each book features a self-contained murder mystery, reading them in order is recommended to follow the ongoing relationships and character growth of Sir John, his clerk Thomas de Peyne, and his mistress Nesta.

QIs Crowner's Crusade a prequel?

Yes. Crowner's Crusade was published in 2012 as the 15th book, but chronologically it is the first story, detailing John de Wolfe's return from the Holy Land.

QWho wrote the Crowner John series?

The series was written by Bernard Knight, a retired Home Office forensic pathologist and Professor of Forensic Pathology, who used his professional expertise to ground the stories' forensic details in historical reality.

QWhat is the historical setting of the series?

The series is set in late 12th-century Devonshire, England, beginning in 1194 during the reign of King Richard the Lionheart.

QAre there any Crowner John spin-offs?

There are no direct spin-off series, but Bernard Knight has written other mystery novels, including the Dr. Richard Pryor series set in 1950s Britain.

QWhere does Crowner John appear outside his main series?

Sir John de Wolfe appears in the collaborative historical mystery anthology series by The Medieval Murderers, starting with the 2005 book The Tainted Relic.