Where to Begin: The Swan River Universe
If you love sprawling historical family sagas filled with romance, resilience, and rich period detail, Anna Jacobs’ Traders series is a perfect addition to your reading list. Set in the 1860s and 1870s, the series follows the Deagan family as they seek fortune, escape hardship, and build new lives. Their journeys take them from the crowded ports of Singapore to the rugged frontier of the Swan River Colony in Western Australia.
Before you pick up the first book, it helps to understand how this series fits into a larger literary universe. The Traders series is a direct thematic continuation of Anna Jacobs’ popular Swan River Saga (also known as the Blake Sisters series). While you do not strictly need to read the Swan River Saga to follow the Deagan family’s adventures, reading it first adds immense depth to the setting and introduces recurring minor characters who cross over between both series.
The Swan River Saga: The Prequel Trilogy
For the absolute best reading experience, we highly recommend starting with the trilogy that laid the groundwork for the Swan River Colony setting. This trilogy follows the Blake sisters, Lancashire mill workers who flee the cotton famine for a fresh start in Western Australia. The books should be read in this order:
- Farewell to Lancashire (2010): Introduces the struggle of the Blake sisters and their decision to leave England.
- Beyond the Sunset (2010): Follows their early struggles and triumphs as they settle in the colony.
- Destiny's Path (2011): Resolves the sisters' personal and professional destinies. This book features Conn Largan, a character who later crosses over into the Traders series.
The Traders Series: Recommended Reading Order
The Traders series itself consists of five main novels. They follow a strict chronological timeline, with the lives, marriages, and business ventures of the Deagan family progressing linearly. You should read them in order of publication:
1. The Trader's Wife (2011)
The saga begins in 1860s Singapore. Isabella Saunders is a penniless Englishwoman facing a bleak future. Her life changes when she meets Bram Deagan, an ambitious Irish trader looking for a wife to join him on his next venture. After a hasty marriage, they set sail for the Swan River Colony in Western Australia. Here, they must overcome isolation, build a home, and establish a trading post in a raw, challenging environment.
2. The Trader's Sister (2012)
The focus shifts to Bram's sister, Ismay Deagan. Fleeing a forced marriage in Ireland, Ismay embarks on a dangerous journey to reunite with Bram in Australia. Her travels take her through the Suez and Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka). Along the way, she faces near-disaster, discovers independence, and meets key figures who will shape her future in the colony.
3. The Trader's Dream (2012)
This third book centers on Maura Deagan, another member of the family seeking a clean slate. When Maura is left to care for her orphaned nieces and nephew, she faces the daunting task of raising them alone. Seeking security and a better life, she makes the voyage to Australia, finding unexpected romance and a sense of purpose during the long journey.
4. The Trader's Gift (2013)
With the Deagan family firmly established in Western Australia, Bram takes on a matchmaking role. He is determined to help his close friends, ship captain Dougal McBride and colonist Mitchell Nash, find suitable partners. Back in England, two widows—Eleanor Prescott and Jacinta Blacklea—risk everything to travel to the colony in search of safety, second chances, and love.
5. The Trader's Reward (2014)
The final book in the series takes place in 1871. Fergus Deagan, Bram's younger brother, is left devastated in Ireland after his wife dies in childbirth. Fulfilling a promise to his late wife, he packs up his children and moves to Fremantle to join Bram. The reunion is tense due to past sibling rivalries, but new beginnings await Fergus, assisted by Cara Payton, a young woman hired as a wet nurse who is escaping her own tragic past.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because Anna Jacobs wrote these books in direct chronological sequence, the publication order and chronological order are identical. There are no prequels or flashbacks that require you to jump out of order. Simply start with The Trader's Wife and read through to The Trader's Reward. If you choose to include the Swan River Saga, read those three books first, followed immediately by the five Traders books, for a seamless eight-book colonial journey.
What to Know Before You Start
Anna Jacobs is celebrated for her meticulous historical research. When reading the series, you will get a realistic look at the logistics of mid-19th-century trade, the harsh realities of colonial immigration, and the development of early Australian infrastructure. The characters face authentic hardships, from disease and shipwrecks to family rivalries and financial ruin, but the overriding tone of the series is warm, hopeful, and romantic.
All five novels are full-length stories that focus on different couples, but because they are heavily interconnected, they do not work well as standalones. The overarching story of Bram’s trading empire and the growth of the Deagan family community binds them together. You will get the most satisfaction by watching the colony grow and seeing previous protagonists return as secondary characters in later volumes.