Books On Board

Tom Wilde Books in Order

  • 7 Books
  • 2017 – 2023 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Reading Order for the Tom Wilde Series

For readers diving into the espionage thrillers of Rory Clements, the path forward is refreshingly simple. The publication order of the Tom Wilde series aligns perfectly with its internal chronological timeline. To get the most out of the evolving political backdrop of World War II, the rise of the Cold War, and the development of Tom's personal relationships, you should read the novels in the order they were published.

Below is the complete list of the Tom Wilde books in their chronological and publication sequence:

  1. Corpus (2017) – Set in 1936. Against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and the abdication crisis of King Edward VIII, Tom Wilde is drawn into a conspiracy that spans from the halls of Cambridge to the heart of Berlin.
  2. Nucleus (2018) – Set in the tense summer of 1939. As Europe stands on the brink of war, Wilde must protect an atomic scientist and prevent a devastating secret from falling into Nazi hands. (Winner of the CWA Historical Dagger).
  3. Nemesis (2019) – Set in September 1939. During the "Phoney War," Wilde investigates a series of brutal murders and searches for a missing student who fled the ruins of Spain.
  4. Hitler's Secret (2020) – Set in the autumn of 1941. Wilde is sent on a high-stakes mission deep inside Nazi Germany to rescue a child whose identity could alter the course of the war.
  5. A Prince and a Spy (2021) – Set in 1942. The mystery begins with the tragic death of Prince George, Duke of Kent, in a plane crash, prompting Wilde to uncover a web of royalty, treason, and cover-ups.
  6. The Man in the Bunker (2022) – Set in late summer 1945. Following Germany's defeat, Wilde is dispatched to the ruins of Berlin to investigate whether Adolf Hitler actually died in the bunker or managed to escape.
  7. The English Führer (2023) – Set in the autumn of 1945. As Britain adjusts to peacetime, the sudden arrival of a Japanese submarine off the coast forces Wilde to confront a domestic conspiracy involving biological weapons.
  8. A Cold Wind from Moscow (2025) – Set in the freezing winter of 1947. At the dawn of the Cold War, Wilde is recruited to locate a high-level Soviet super-spy embedded within British intelligence before a nuclear disaster strikes.

What to Know Before You Start

Unlike typical action-hero spies, Tom Wilde is an academic—an American history professor lecturing at Cambridge University. He is a intellectual protagonist who relies on observation, logic, and historical context rather than physical bravado. His status as an American living in Britain adds an intriguing layer of detachment; he is an outsider observing British high society, royal politics, and class divisions.

A critical element of the series is Wilde's relationship with his partner, Lydia Morris. Her presence and her own independent actions provide emotional grounding and continuity throughout the books. Reading the series in order allows you to see how their relationship evolves under the strain of war and Wilde's dangerous double life.

Chronological Caveats & Reading Advice

Because there are no prequels, side novellas, or timeline jumps, you do not have to worry about complex chronological rearranging. However, there are a few practical tips to keep in mind:

  • Can they be read as standalones? Yes. Rory Clements constructs each book with a self-contained main mystery or mission. If you pick up a later book like A Prince and a Spy first, you will not be completely lost. That said, the background geopolitical situation and the personal developments of the recurring characters build heavily on previous entries.
  • Watch the historical shifts: The series spans over a decade, starting in the pre-war appeasement era of 1936 and moving through the dark middle years of WWII, the immediate post-war chaos of 1945, and finally the chilly standoff of the early Cold War in 1947. Reading in order gives you a front-row seat to this historical progression.
  • No spin-offs: Unlike Clements' Elizabethan-era John Shakespeare series, which features a standalone novella, the Tom Wilde universe consists entirely of these eight core novels. There are no crossovers or companion short stories to track down.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting point for the Tom Wilde series?

The ideal starting point is the first book, Corpus. It establishes Tom Wilde's background as a Cambridge professor and explains how he first became involved with the British intelligence services.

Do I need to read the Tom Wilde books in order?

While each novel features a self-contained mystery, it is highly recommended to read them in order. The overarching political climate of World War II and the personal relationships of the main characters develop continuously across the books.

Which Tom Wilde book won an award?

The second novel in the series, Nucleus (published in 2018), won the prestigious CWA Historical Dagger award for its gripping portrayal of the atomic arms race in 1939.

Are there any novellas or short stories in this series?

No. Unlike Rory Clements' John Shakespeare series, the Tom Wilde series is made up exclusively of the eight full-length novels.

Is Tom Wilde based on a real person?

Tom Wilde is a fictional character, but Rory Clements heavily surrounds him with real historical figures (such as Winston Churchill, the Duke of Kent, and various political leaders) and actual historical events.

What is the latest book in the Tom Wilde series?

The latest book in the series is A Cold Wind from Moscow, which was published on January 30, 2025, and takes place during the winter of 1947.