Matthew Bartholomew Books in Order

How to Read the Matthew Bartholomew Series

For readers diving into the mud-spattered streets of 14th-century Cambridge, the reading path for the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew is refreshingly straightforward. Author Susanna Gregory (the pseudonym of Cambridge academic Elizabeth Cruwys) wrote the series in a strict chronological sequence. This means the publication order matches the internal timeline of the books exactly, allowing you to follow the lives of physician Matthew Bartholomew and his Benedictine partner, Brother Michael, as they age and navigate the shifting politics of medieval England.

The series began in 1996 with the landmark plague-era novel A Plague on Both Your Houses and concluded twenty-five years later in 2021 with the release of the 25th book, The Chancellor's Secret, which serves as the final chronicle. To experience the characters' growth, the recovery of Cambridge from the Black Death, and the evolution of the College of Michaelhouse, we highly recommend reading the books in order of release.

Matthew Bartholomew Books in Publication and Chronological Order

Because the publication order aligns perfectly with the series' internal chronology, this list serves as your definitive checklist for reading the chronicles from start to finish:

• A Plague on Both Your Houses (1996) – Setting the stage in 1348, Bartholomew deals with the approach of the Black Death and the suspicious death of the Michaelhouse Master.
• An Unholy Alliance (1996) – The plague has passed, but it leaves Cambridge in chaos, dealing with paranoia, lawlessness, and rumors of devil worship.
• A Bone of Contention (1997) – Focuses on the deep-rooted "town and gown" tensions between the university scholars and the Cambridge locals.
• A Deadly Brew (1998) – Bartholomew investigates a series of poisonings linked to local taverns and town politics.
• A Wicked Deed (1999) – Takes the sleuths to Ely, where the dedication of a new church is marred by sudden death.
• A Masterly Murder (2000) – The suspicious death of a Michaelhouse founder sparks academic and financial intrigue.
• An Order for Death (2001) – A dispute over translation and theology leads to murder within the university walls.
• A Summer of Discontent (2002) – Bartholomew faces unrest in Ely and Cambridge as rebellion stirs among the peasantry.
• A Killer in Winter (2003) – A brutal winter brings a cold-blooded killer targeting former residents of Michaelhouse.
• The Hand of Justice (2004) – Explores local corruption and sheriff politics in Cambridge.
• The Mark of a Murderer (2005) – A series of deaths involving a mysterious mark puzzles the physician.
• The Tarnished Chalice (2006) – The duo travels to Lincoln, encountering a web of monastic greed.
• To Kill or Cure (2008) – Bartholomew fights to maintain his medical practices against hostile competitors and a rash of murders.
• The Devil's Disciples (2008) – A missing parish priest and rumors of heretical cults threaten the town's fragile peace.
• A Vein of Deceit (2009) – Explores the smuggling trade and black-market medieval economies.
• A Killer of Pilgrims (2010) – Murder follows the pilgrim trails leading to and from the local shrines.
• Mystery in the Minster (2011) – Bartholomew and Michael travel north to York to settle a university legacy dispute.
• Murder by the Book (2012) – The theft of valuable library manuscripts triggers a trail of deaths.
• The Lost Abbot (2013) – A journey to Westminster Abbey draws the duo into high-stakes royal and monastic politics.
• Death of a Scholar (2014) – Academic rivalries boil over when a prominent scholar is found dead.
• A Poisonous Plot (2015) – The toxic combination of family inheritances and political schemes strikes Michaelhouse.
• A Grave Concern (2016) – Cemetery thefts and medical curiosity cause outrage and violence in the town.
• The Habit of Murder (2017) – A mystery involving a local nunnery and long-buried secrets.
• The Sanctuary Murders (2019) – Fugitives seeking sanctuary at a church are killed, violating holy law.
• The Chancellor's Secret (2021) – The 25th and final mystery, wrapping up the long-running academic and personal journeys of the protagonists.

What to Know Before You Start

Before stepping into Gregory's medieval world, it helps to understand the tone and historical context. Unlike lighter cozy mysteries, this series offers a gritty, detailed, and occasionally stomach-churning look at 14th-century life. Gregory does not shy away from the horrific realities of the Black Death, the unsanitary living conditions of medieval towns, or the brutal nature of contemporary crime. Her background as a coroner's officer gives the forensic details and cause-of-death investigations a level of realism that sets it apart from other historical mysteries.

However, the grim atmosphere is balanced by the exceptional partnership between Matthew Bartholomew and Brother Michael. Bartholomew is a practical man of science, often frustrated by the superstitions of his peers. Brother Michael is a clever, politically astute Benedictine monk who uses his influence and intellect to secure their safety. Their banter and mutual respect form the warm, beating heart of the series.

Spin-Offs, Co-Authored Works, and What to Read Next

While the Matthew Bartholomew series has no direct spin-off books featuring the same characters, Susanna Gregory has written other historical mystery series that fans of her writing style will love:

The Thomas Chaloner Series: If you enjoy Gregory's meticulous research and political intrigue, this series is a natural next step. It shifts the clock forward to the Restoration era of the 1660s, following a former spy named Thomas Chaloner as he navigates the dangerous streets of London. It currently spans fourteen novels, beginning with A Conspiracy of Violence (2006).

The Sir Geoffrey Mappestone Series (written as Simon Beaufort): Gregory co-authored this 12th-century mystery series with her husband, historian Beau Riffenburgh, under the joint pseudonym Simon Beaufort. It consists of eight books starting with Murder in the Holy City (1998) and features a crusader knight trying to keep the peace during the reign of King Henry I.

The Medieval Murderers: Gregory was a founding member of this unique collaborative group of historical fiction writers. Alongside authors such as Michael Jecks and Bernard Knight, she contributed segments to several themed mystery novels, including The Tainted Relic (2005) and House of Shadows (2007). These books make excellent reading for fans looking to discover other writers in the genre.