Anita Burgh Books in Order

Where to Start with Anita Burgh

If you are new to Anita Burgh, deciding where to begin depends on your taste in fiction. For those who love deep, historical family sagas, the absolute best starting point is The Broken Gate, the first book of the Cresswell Inheritance trilogy. This series is widely considered her magnum opus, detailing the slow dissolution of class barriers and aristocratic wealth from the Edwardian era through the aftermath of the First World War.

If you prefer contemporary romance mixed with social commentary, you should start with her debut novel, Distinctions of Class (1987). It is highly semi-autobiographical, reflecting Burgh's own experience of marrying into the aristocracy and facing class prejudice. It remains one of her most beloved and commercially successful standalone novels.

For readers looking for lighter, humorous stories about English village life, the duology written under her pen name Annie Leith, starting with Molly's Flashings, is a delightful alternative.

The Cresswell Inheritance Trilogy

This trilogy is Burgh’s most famous historical saga. Set in Devon, England, it follows the Cresswell family as they feud over an inheritance and watch their traditional way of life crumble. You should read this trilogy in strict publication (and chronological) order:

1. The Broken Gate (2004) – The saga begins in 1901. Patriarch Mortimer Cresswell is dying, and his family is prepared to fight over his fortune. The arrival of Stanislas von Ehrlich, a self-made outsider, threatens the family's control.
2. The Heart's Citadel (2005) – Set in 1913, the drama continues at Cresswell Manor as the family navigates personal betrayals and the impending shadow of the First World War.
3. The Breached Wall (2007) – Set during and after World War I, Cresswell Manor is converted into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. The series concludes as the old social order is forever changed.

Daughters of a Granite Land Trilogy

One of Burgh's earliest and most popular historical sagas, this trilogy centers around "Gwenfer," a majestic granite estate in Cornwall, and the passions, rivalries, and betrayals of the families connected to it. It must be read in order:

1. The Azure Bowl (1989) – Introduces the granite house of Gwenfer and the interconnected lives of those who live in its shadow.
2. The Golden Butterfly (1990) – Continues the emotional family saga across generations.
3. The Stone Mistress (1991) – Resolves the decades-long secrets and disputes surrounding the Gwenfer estate.

Tales from Sarson Magna (Annie Leith)

Commissioned as a lighter, village-centric series, these books were originally published under the pseudonym Annie Leith to distinguish them from Burgh’s historical sagas. They were later republished under her real name. The reading order is:

1. Molly's Flashings (1991) – Follows Molly Parminter as she struggles to maintain her massive village home, "The Hall," amid eccentric local characters.
2. Hector's Hobbies (1994) – Focuses on Molly’s husband Hector and his ballooning obsession, alongside the ongoing comedic dramas of village life.

Chronological Publication Order of Standalone Novels

For her standalone novels, there is no narrative continuity, meaning they can be read in any order. However, reading them in publication order allows you to see her evolution as a writer. Here is the list of standalones in order of release:

• Distinctions of Class (1987) – A nurse struggles to fit into her husband's aristocratic family.
• Love The Bright Foreigner (1988) – A sweeping romance set in Greece about a widow and a mysterious stranger.
• Advances (1992) – A story exploring the publishing world, ambitions, and romance.
• Overtures (1994) – A contemporary drama exploring relationships and personal secrets.
• Avarice (1994) – A gripping tale focusing on wealth, greed, and family dynamics.
• Lottery (1995) – A fascinating look at how winning the lottery impacts a family's relationships and happiness.
• Breeders (1996) – A story dealing with horse breeding, societal expectations, and hidden secrets.
• The Cult (1997) – A darker psychological thriller following three women who get drawn into a sinister organization.
• On Call (1998) – A medical-themed drama focusing on the lives and challenges of nurses.
• The Family (1999) – An emotional contemporary family drama.
• Clare's War (2000) – A gripping historical novel set during World War II, following a woman's courage and survival.
• Exiles (2001) – A novel exploring displacement, family ties, and finding a place to call home.
• The House at Harcourt (2002) – A story focused on long-buried family secrets tied to an old house.
• The Visitor (2003) – A drama showing how a mysterious visitor disrupts the lives of a quiet family.

What to Know Before You Start

Anita Burgh’s writing is heavily informed by her own life. When reading Distinctions of Class or her historical sagas set in grand estates, keep in mind her background: she married Lord Burgh at a young age, faced class disapproval from her in-laws, and spent part of her childhood evacuated to the grand Lanhydrock House in Cornwall. These experiences explain why the themes of class rejection, grand houses, and financial insecurity are so vividly portrayed. Readers should also note that while her trilogies require sequential reading, her standalone novels are completely independent and require no prior reading.