Books On Board

The Graham Saga Books in Order

  • 9 Books
  • 2012 – 2017 Published

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Reading order
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How to Read The Graham Saga in Order

If you love historical fiction filled with time travel, high-stakes romance, and meticulously researched history, The Graham Saga by Anna Belfrage is a must-read. The series follows Alexandra "Alex" Lind, a modern woman from 2002 who is mysteriously pulled back to 1658 Scotland. There, she meets Matthew Graham, a rugged, honorable Presbyterian Scotsman. Together, they embark on a multi-decade journey across continents, fighting to build a life in both the Old World and the New World.

Because the series tracks a single family’s chronological aging, growing children, and evolving political struggles, it must be read in order. Jumping ahead will spoil major plot points, character deaths, marriages, and historical moves.

The Main Reading Order List

  1. A Rip in the Veil (2012) – The story begins in 2002 when Alex slips through time during a thunderstorm, landing in 1658 Scotland. She is rescued by Matthew Graham, sparking an epic romance amidst historical chaos.
  2. Like Chaff in the Wind (2012) – Matthew is forcibly abducted and sent to the colony of Virginia as an indentured laborer. Alex refuses to let him go and travels across the Atlantic to find and free him.
  3. The Prodigal Son (2013) – Having escaped the colonies, the Grahams return to a tense and unstable Scotland, where they face betrayal from Matthew’s brother, Luke, and struggle with religious persecution.
  4. A Newfound Land (2013) – Seeking safety and a fresh start, Matthew and Alex relocate to colonial Maryland, where they establish their homestead, Colliemore, and navigate relations with neighboring Native American tribes and fellow settlers.
  5. Serpents in the Garden (2014) – Life in Maryland seems peaceful until old ghosts and political rivalries threaten to destroy everything the Grahams have built on their plantation.
  6. Revenge and Retribution (2014) – Matthew is pulled back to Europe to settle old scores, plunging the family into the dangerous political crosscurrents of Restoration-era Britain.
  7. Whither Thou Goest (2014) – The family's adventures expand to the West Indies as Matthew and Alex travel to assist their nephew, Charlie Graham, in a treacherous Caribbean environment.
  8. To Catch a Falling Star (2015) – Set during the Glorious Revolution of 1688–1689, this installment follows the family as the fall of King James II sends political shockwaves all the way to Maryland.
  9. There Is Always a Tomorrow (2017) – The official conclusion to the main novel series takes the Grahams to New England in 1692, placing them right in the middle of the Salem Witch Trials.

Chronological Timeline vs. Publication Order

Unlike some time-travel series where authors write prequels or spin-offs out of order, Anna Belfrage wrote The Graham Saga in strict chronological order. The publication order perfectly mirrors the internal timeline of Alex and Matthew’s lives. The books span from 1658 (in A Rip in the Veil) to 1692 (in There Is Always a Tomorrow).

As a result, there are no complicated timeline decisions for readers. Start with book one and read straight through to book nine to watch the Graham family grow, survive, and adapt over three decades.

The Holiday Companion Novella

In 2020, Belfrage published a companion novella titled The Soft Touch of Angels. While the main series concludes with book nine, this novella serves as a heartwarming holiday epilogue.

The story focuses on Duncan Melville, the ten-year-old grandson of Alex and Matthew. Duncan has suffered a severe injury, and Alex takes him into her home to care for him over the Christmas season. This decision causes tension with Duncan’s mother, Sarah, who has a complicated emotional relationship with the boy due to the circumstances of his conception. The novella is best read after completing the main nine novels, as it contains massive spoilers regarding the next generation of the Graham family.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the series, here is what readers should keep in mind:

  • It is a commitment to continuity: The series functions more like a multi-volume epic family saga rather than standalone historical romances. The characters age, have children, and their children grow up to have their own storylines.
  • The Outlander Comparison: Fans of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander will find many similarities, including the time-slip premise, the Scottish protagonist, and the migration to the American colonies. However, Belfrage’s work stands on its own with a distinct voice, a fast-paced plot, and a focus on the gritty realities of 17th-century plantation life and religious conflicts.
  • Historical realism: The author does not shy away from the harsh realities of the era, including indentured servitude, religious persecution of Covenanters, colonial conflicts, and the Salem Witch Trials.

What to Read Next: Anna Belfrage’s Other Series

If you finish the saga and want more of Belfrage's writing, she has written several other historical and time-slip series that, while not directly crossing over with the Grahams, offer a similar flavor of romance and adventure:

  • The Wanderer Series: A contemporary romantic suspense trilogy featuring time-slip elements.
  • The Castilian Saga: A sweeping historical romance set in late 13th-century Spain and England.
  • The King’s Greatest Enemy: A medieval historical series set in 14th-century England during the tumultuous reign of Edward II.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting point for The Graham Saga?

You should start with the first book, A Rip in the Veil. Because the series follows a single family chronologically over several decades, starting anywhere else will spoil major plot developments.

Are there any spin-offs to The Graham Saga?

There is a companion novella titled The Soft Touch of Angels, which focuses on Alex and Matthew's grandson Duncan. While the author has mentioned plans for an 18th-century spin-off focusing on their grandchildren, no full spin-off series has been published yet.

Where does the series take place?

The series begins in 17th-century Scotland, shifts to colonial Virginia and Maryland, visits the West Indies, and concludes in Salem, Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials.

Is The Graham Saga similar to Outlander?

Yes, both feature a modern woman time-traveling to the past, a rugged Scottish husband, and a transition from Scotland to the American colonies. However, The Graham Saga focuses heavily on 17th-century history and has its own distinct tone and pacing.

How many books are in the main series?

There are nine main novels in the series, starting with A Rip in the Veil in 2012 and ending with There Is Always a Tomorrow in 2017.

When should I read the novella The Soft Touch of Angels?

You should read The Soft Touch of Angels after book nine, There Is Always a Tomorrow. It functions as a holiday epilogue focusing on the next generation of the family.