Books On Board

Time Between The Stars Books in Order

  • 7 Books
  • 1985 – 1992 Published

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Reading order
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Starting Your Journey: The Recommended Reading Order

For readers diving into Andrew M. Greeley’s Time Between the Stars septet, the best path forward is simple: follow the publication order. Unlike complex multi-generational family sagas where chronological timelines skip around, this series moves in a clear, linear fashion from 1985 through 1992. Reading the books in order allows you to appreciate the evolving cast of Chicago’s Irish-American Catholic elite and witness the gradual, background maturation of the series’ most famous recurring character, Father Blackie Ryan.

The Publication Order of Time Between The Stars

  1. Virgin and Martyr (1985) – The series opener sets the stage by exploring faith, tragedy, and investigation. When Chicago socialite Cathy Collins is reportedly martyred in a war-torn Latin American country, Nick Curran and Father Blackie Ryan team up to investigate her life, her secrets, and what truly happened to her.
  2. Angels of September (1986) – A psychological thriller focusing on Anne Reilly, a successful art gallery owner in Chicago who is haunted by childhood abuse and the dark, obsessive paintings of a mad priest. Her path crosses with Mike Casey, a dedicated Chicago police detective (and Blackie Ryan’s cousin), who tries to help her conquer her inner demons.
  3. Patience of a Saint (1987) – This novel introduces Red Kane, a cynical, hard-drinking Chicago newspaper columnist who experiences a sudden, life-altering mystical encounter. As Red tries to turn his life around and investigate a twenty-year-old cold-case murder, he relies on his brother-in-law, Father Blackie Ryan, for spiritual guidance.
  4. Rite of Spring (1987) – Focused on Brendan Ryan, a quiet lawyer and brother of Father Blackie Ryan. Brendan's life is upended when he falls for Clara Kelly, a mysterious woman who turns out to be an ex-IRA operative. After a deadly boat explosion on Lake Michigan, Brendan must use his psychic dreams to trace Clara to Ireland.
  5. Love Song (1988) – A romantic suspense novel centered on Assistant District Attorney Marie Lyons and Conor Clarke, an attorney and entrepreneur accused of financial crimes. As Marie struggles with her duty to prosecute the man she loves, Father Blackie Ryan intervenes to uncover the truth and clear Conor's name.
  6. St. Valentine's Night (1989) – Neal Connor, a weary television news correspondent, returns to Chicago for a mayoral election and a grammar school reunion. He reconnects with his widowed childhood sweetheart, Megan Lane, and is drawn into a dangerous mystery involving the Mafia, Cuban drug cartels, and a missing cash stash. Father Blackie Ryan once again makes a guiding appearance.
  7. Wages of Sin (1992) – The final installment centers on Lorcan James Flynn, a successful Chicago tycoon, sculptor, and war hero. Flynn is haunted by a tragic fire from the summer of 1954 that claimed the family of his first love, Maura. Decades later, the engagement of their children brings them face-to-face, forcing Flynn to unravel the secrets of that fateful summer.

How "Time Between the Stars" Connects to the Father Blackie Ryan Mysteries

One of the most common points of confusion for new readers is how this series relates to Greeley’s long-running Father Blackie Ryan Mystery series (which spans 17 novels, starting with Happy Are the Meek in 1985 and ending with The Archbishop in Andalusia in 2008). While they are distinct series, they share a closely linked universe.

In the main Blackie Ryan series, Blackie is the central protagonist, a progressive, witty Chicago priest who acts as a classic amateur sleuth solving locked-room mysteries. In contrast, the Time Between the Stars novels are broader family sagas and psychological suspense stories. Blackie Ryan is not the main character in these books; instead, he serves as a supporting figure—often during his younger years—guiding his siblings (like his brother Brendan in Rite of Spring), his brothers-in-law (like Red Kane in Patience of a Saint), or close friends through their personal and legal crises.

Because of this crossover, reading the Time Between the Stars books offers deeper context and rich backstory for the Ryan family dynamics that fans of the standalone Blackie Ryan mysteries will appreciate.

What to Know Before You Start Reading

Andrew M. Greeley was not just a novelist; he was a Roman Catholic priest and an acclaimed sociologist. This unique background heavily influences the tone, themes, and settings of Time Between the Stars. Before you pick up the first book, keep these elements in mind:

  • The Chicago Irish-Catholic Milieu: Almost all of the stories are deeply rooted in the tight-knit Irish-American Catholic communities of Chicago, particularly neighborhoods like Beverly and the North Shore. The culture, dialogue, and social structures of these communities form the backdrop for every drama.
  • Faith, Grace, and Modernity: Greeley used his fiction to explore post-Vatican II Catholicism. Rather than preaching, he weaves questions of faith, redemptive love, and divine grace directly into suspenseful, romantic, and often comedic narratives.
  • Melodramatic Suspense Meets Realism: Expect high-stakes plots. The books feature everything from international terrorism (IRA) and Latin American revolutions to Mafia conspiracies and sudden mystical encounters, all balanced by domestic family sagas and realistic human relationships.
  • Standalone Reading: While the books share characters and chronological continuity, each novel features a self-contained plot with its own resolution. You can read them as individual works, though the recurring characters and family links make the publication order the most rewarding experience.

Chronological Consistency and Reading Caveats

Because the publication order of the series mirrors its internal chronology, there are very few timeline discrepancies. However, readers should be prepared for the shifts in tone and focus from book to book. Virgin and Martyr deals with heavy, tragic themes of martyrdom and revolution, whereas Patience of a Saint leans more into satirical humor and mid-life crisis, and Rite of Spring ventures into psychic dreams and political thrills. Embracing the variety of genres Greeley blends into this single series is key to enjoying the journey.

Frequently Asked

What is the best reading order for the Time Between the Stars series?

The best reading order is the publication order: Virgin and Martyr (1985), Angels of September (1986), Patience of a Saint (1987), Rite of Spring (1987), Love Song (1988), St. Valentine's Night (1989), and Wages of Sin (1992).

Do I need to read the Father Blackie Ryan series before Time Between the Stars?

No, you do not. While Father Blackie Ryan appears in several Time Between the Stars novels as a supporting character, the series operates as its own self-contained septet of suspenseful family dramas.

What is the connection between Father Blackie Ryan and the characters in this series?

Blackie Ryan is directly related to several protagonists. In Rite of Spring, the protagonist Brendan Ryan is Blackie’s brother. In Patience of a Saint, the main character Red Kane is Blackie’s brother-in-law. In other books, Blackie acting as a counselor or friend helps characters resolve their struggles.

Can the books in Time Between the Stars be read as standalones?

Yes, each novel tells a complete story with a satisfying resolution. However, reading them in order helps you track the recurring cast of characters and the background evolution of the Ryan family universe.

Are the books in the Time Between the Stars series mysteries?

They are a blend of suspense, romance, family saga, and psychological drama. While they contain mystery elements (such as investigating cold cases or uncovering past secrets), they focus more on character relationships and spiritual redemption than traditional detective procedurals.