Marwood and Lovett Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Marwood and Lovett

For the best reading experience, you should read the Marwood and Lovett series in chronological order (which is also the order of publication). While each novel presents a self-contained murder mystery or political conspiracy, the overarching character development, the evolving relationship between the two main protagonists, and the shifting historical backdrop of 17th-century London are continuous. Reading them out of order will spoil major character arcs and political developments at court.

Marwood and Lovett Books in Chronological and Publication Order

1. The Ashes of London (2016) — Set in September 1666 during the Great Fire.
2. The Fire Court (2018) — Set in 1667 in the aftermath of the fire.
3. The King's Evil (2019) — Set in late 1667, exploring the court of Charles II.
4. The Last Protector (2020) — Set in 1668, centering on the legacy of the Cromwells.
5. The Royal Secret (2021) — Set in 1670, involving the secret Treaty of Dover.
6. The Shadows of London (2023) — Set in 1671, following Cat as an independent architect.
7. Treason (Forthcoming, March 2027) — Set in 1688, set during the run-up to the Glorious Revolution.

Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown

1. The Ashes of London (2016)

The series opens in September 1666 as the Great Fire of London guts the city. James Marwood, a reluctant clerk and government informer with a disgraced father, is sent to St. Paul's Cathedral where a murdered body has been found in the ashes. Meanwhile, Cat Lovett, the daughter of a fugitive regicide who signed the death warrant of King Charles I, is on the run from her abusive family. Their paths cross in a dangerous web of politics, religion, and vengeance as the city rebuilds.

2. The Fire Court (2018)

Set in 1667, the story centers on the newly established Fire Court, a tribunal set up to settle property disputes in the ruined city. When a key witness is murdered, Marwood is tasked with finding the killer. Cat is hiding under a false name, trying to forge a life as a woodcarver, but is pulled back into the danger when a relative becomes a prime suspect. The novel showcases the greed and opportunism that arose during the reconstruction of London.

3. The King's Evil (2019)

Set a few months after the events of the second book, this installment dives headfirst into the high-stakes political games of King Charles II's court. A cousin of the Duke of Buckingham is murdered, and Marwood is ordered to investigate. Meanwhile, Cat has taken a position in a household closely tied to the court, bringing her dangerously close to the royal family and the political factions fighting for control of the kingdom.

4. The Last Protector (2020)

Set in 1668, this book focuses on the political threat posed by the surviving members of the Cromwell family. Richard Cromwell, the former Lord Protector, has secretly returned to England, and his daughter Elizabeth Cromwell is in danger. Marwood is caught between his loyalty to the crown and his sympathy for the Cromwells, while Cat must navigate her own past to help protect the innocent from royalists seeking retribution.

5. The Royal Secret (2021)

Set in 1670, this novel deals with international espionage and the secret Treaty of Dover between King Charles II and King Louis XIV of France. Marwood investigates the death of a government clerk, leading him to a web of Dutch spies and court secrets. Cat, now established as an architect under her married name Cat Hakesby, receives a royal commission to design a poultry house for the king's sister in the French court, putting her directly in the line of fire.

6. The Shadows of London (2023)

Set in 1671, the story finds Cat working as a wealthy, widowed architect helping rebuild the city. When a body is discovered at one of her building sites near the remains of the Temple Church, it threatens her reputation and livelihood. Marwood is brought in to investigate, uncovering a conspiracy that goes to the heart of the government and the royal court, testing their bond once again.

7. Treason (Forthcoming March 2027)

Scheduled for publication in spring 2027, the seventh installment features a massive seventeen-year time jump to 1688. Set against the backdrop of the Glorious Revolution, King James II has finally produced an heir, sparking widespread panic over a Catholic succession. Marwood, now living quietly, is dragged back into the intelligence world to investigate a murder disguised as suicide, crossing paths with Cat once again during a time of national crisis.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the series, it is helpful to understand the turbulent historical context of Restoration London. When King Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, it ended years of republican rule under Oliver Cromwell. However, the period was marked by intense paranoia, religious tension between Protestants and Catholics, and political score-settling. The execution of the regicides (those who signed Charles I's death warrant) forms the background of Cat's family history, shaping her character's motivations and struggles.

Andrew Taylor is a celebrated historical fiction author who has won the Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger three times. His depiction of 17th-century London is highly praised for its sensory details, historical accuracy, and avoids typical romanticized portrayals of the era. The series contains no spin-offs, co-authored books, or short stories, making it a straightforward, highly rewarding chronological read.