The Recommended Reading Order for Thief Taker
For the best reading experience, we highly recommend reading the Thief Taker series in publication order. Although the novella Death Magic takes place chronologically before the first novel, starting with the main debut novel provides the necessary world-building, introduces Charlie's mysterious background, and establishes the gritty atmosphere of Restoration London much more effectively.
By following the publication order, you will follow the natural progression of Charlie's character development, his changing alliances, and the evolving historical landscape of 17th-century London as it transitions from the devastation of the Great Plague to the ash-strewn streets of the Great Fire.
Thief Taker Books in Publication Order
- The Thief Taker (2014) – The series debut introduces readers to Charlie Tuesday, a foundling with a mysterious key who survives by recovering stolen property. Set during the height of the Great Plague of 1665, Charlie is hired to track down a brutal killer operating under the guise of a plague doctor.
- Death Magic (2015) – A prequel novella set in 1663. In this self-contained mystery, Charlie investigates the murder of a young maid-servant whose room is filled with strange pagan charms. The search for a stolen silver thimble leads him into a web of local superstitions and dark secrets.
- Fire Catcher (2015) – The second full-length novel takes place in September 1666. As the Great Fire of London consumes the city, Charlie is tasked with solving a series of murders and recovering lost alchemical formulas before they are reduced to ash.
- Dark Stars (2016) – Set in late 1666, one month after the Great Fire. Charlie is called to the port town of Deptford, where bodies are washing ashore marked with eerie astrological symbols. To solve this conspiracy, Charlie teams up with a new, sharp-witted partner, Lily Boswell.
- The Changeling Murders (2018) – The fourth novel is set in 1667 as London rebuilds. When Charlie's former love is kidnapped on her wedding day, he must solve the murder of a theater actress dressed as a missing girl to uncover a plot that reaches the highest levels of the royal court.
Chronological Reading Order
If you prefer to follow the historical timeline of 17th-century England, you can read the series chronologically. The main advantage of this order is seeing Charlie’s early career before the plague completely transforms the city. Here is the chronological sequence:
- Death Magic (Set in 1663)
- The Thief Taker (Set in 1665 during the Great Plague)
- Fire Catcher (Set in 1666 during the Great Fire)
- Dark Stars (Set in late 1666 post-Fire)
- The Changeling Murders (Set in 1667 during the rebuilding and theater riots)
What to Know Before You Start
C.S. Quinn (a pen name for journalist Catherine Quinn, who also writes contemporary thrillers as Cate Quinn) meticulously researched the historical background of the series. The novels offer a vivid, sensory-rich depiction of Restoration London, focusing on the class divides, superstitions, and political instability of the era. While the books are grounded in real historical events like the Plague and the Great Fire, they also incorporate atmospheric elements of alchemy, astrology, and folklore, giving the mysteries a slightly gothic, eerie tone.
While each book features a standalone crime that is resolved by the end, the overarching mystery of Charlie's origins and his relationships with characters like Anna-Maria and Lily Boswell develop across the novels, making it highly beneficial to read them in order.
Additionally, note that C.S. Quinn’s other popular historical series, the Revolution Spy series (beginning with The Bastille Spy), is completely separate and set during the French Revolution, featuring a different protagonist and cast of characters.