Annelie Wendeberg Books in Order

Where to Start with Annelie Wendeberg’s Books

For readers new to Annelie Wendeberg, the absolute best starting point is The Devil’s Grin, the award-winning first novel in the Anna Kronberg series. It introduces Wendeberg’s signature blend of historical accuracy, scientific intrigue, and fierce, unconventional heroines. If you prefer a chronological flow, you can also begin with the prequel novella, The Lion’s Courtship, which establishes Anna’s backstory before she encounters Sherlock Holmes. However, starting with The Devil’s Grin is highly recommended as it immediately hooks you with the central detective dynamic and the atmospheric grit of Victorian London.

Depending on your favorite genre, here are the paths you can take:

• For Victorian Mystery & Holmes Fans: Start with the Anna Kronberg series, beginning with The Devil’s Grin. Alternatively, try the Keeper of Pleas series starting with Keeper of Pleas for a darker, coroner-led mystery.
• For Dystopian & Climate Fiction Lovers: Start with the 1/2986 series (also known as the Climate Saga), beginning with 1/2986 (sometimes titled Cut).
• For Cozy Crime & Lighter Mysteries: Start with the Adventures of the Basement Detectives series, beginning with A Study in Vegetables, which moves the action to the picturesque Swedish island of Gotland.

The Anna Kronberg Series: Chronological vs. Publication Order

The Anna Kronberg series is Annelie Wendeberg's most famous work. It follows Anna Kronberg, a female doctor masquerading as a man (Dr. Anton Kronberg) in Victorian London to practice medicine. Her life takes a dangerous turn when she is pulled into a cholera investigation and crosses paths with Sherlock Holmes. The series blends forensic microbiology with classic Holmesian detective work.

While the publication order is slightly different, the chronological order is generally favored by readers who want to understand Anna's origins before her fateful partnership with Holmes. Here is the breakdown of the reading order:

Chronological Reading Order

1. The Lion's Courtship (Published in 2014) – A prequel novella (often designated as Book 0.5) that explores Anna's early life in London and her partnership with Irish rebel Garret O'Hare.
2. The Devil's Grin (Published in 2012) – Book 1 of the main series. Anna’s identity is exposed when she teams up with Sherlock Holmes to solve a cholera conspiracy.
3. The Fall (Published in 2013) – Book 2. Anna is forced into a dangerous game of survival under the shadow of Holmes's nemesis, James Moriarty.
4. The Journey (Published in 2014) – Book 3. Anna escapes to the Swedish wilderness, trying to leave her past behind, but the past refuses to stay buried.
5. Moriarty (Published in 2014) – Book 4. A companion novel that shifts the perspective to James Moriarty himself, filling in critical gaps in the narrative.
6. Silent Witnesses (Published in 2018) – Book 5. Anna returns to London under a new identity, facing fresh mysteries and old threats.
7. River of Bones (Published in 2018) – Book 6. The stakes rise as Anna is caught in a web of international intrigue and biological warfare.

Reader Tip: Although The Lion's Courtship takes place first, reading it after The Devil's Grin or The Fall can be a satisfying way to fill in Anna’s history without spoiling the mystery of her character when she first encounters Sherlock Holmes. Similarly, Moriarty is best read after finishing The Journey to fully appreciate the antagonist's perspective.

The Keeper of Pleas Series: Victorian Coroner Investigations

If you enjoy the historical depth of the Anna Kronberg books but want a different perspective, the Keeper of Pleas series is an excellent next step. Set in the gritty streets of 1880s London, this series shifts the focus to Coroner Sévère and his assistant/partner, Miss Mary. The tone is darker, focusing on the legal, forensic, and social realities of death in the Victorian era.

The reading order for the Keeper of Pleas series is straightforward and should be read in publication order to appreciate the evolving relationship between the main characters:

1. Keeper of Pleas (2016) – Introduces Coroner Sévère and Miss Mary as they investigate suspicious deaths and navigate London's criminal underbelly.
2. Spider Silk (2017) – The duo returns to solve a murder case that leads them into high society and dangerous secrets.
3. Peregrine (2024) – A long-awaited continuation that explores deeper personal secrets and complex forensic cases.

The 1/2986 Series (The Climate Saga): Dystopian Thrillers

Moving away from historical mystery, Wendeberg also writes compelling dystopian fiction. The 1/2986 series (often referred to as the Climate Saga) is a gritty post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world devastated by ecological collapse, pandemics, and war. The title refers to the tiny fraction of the human population left alive.

The series follows Mickaela "Micka" Capra, a troubled 16-year-old girl struggling with severe trauma and synesthesia (tasting words). Her life changes when she meets Runner and becomes an apprentice Sequencer, discovering that the history taught by the ruling council is a lie. The series must be read in order:

1. 1/2986 (Also published under the title Cut) (2014) – Introduces Micka, her struggle for survival, and her entry into the Sequencer apprenticeship.
2. Fog (2015) – Micka faces escalating dangers as political factions fight for control over the remaining habitable zones.
3. Ice (2015) – The journey takes Micka into harsher environments where the survival stakes are deadly.
4. Vow (2018) – The final chapter in Micka's journey, bringing the climate thriller saga to its dramatic conclusion.

Other Series and Standalone Novels

For readers looking to explore the full breadth of Annelie Wendeberg's bibliography, there are several other works to consider:

Collapse (2016)

This standalone dystopian novel is set in a controlled regime ruled by Gregor Lange. When his rebellious daughter Kay escapes from home, she is kidnapped by an anarchist named Alex. The book serves as a tense thriller about control, rebellion, and freedom, and can be read at any time since it does not connect to the 1/2986 universe.

Adventures of the Basement Detectives

For a complete change of pace, Wendeberg introduced a lighter cozy mystery series set on the Swedish island of Gotland. The series features amateur sleuths solving local crimes, combining quirky humor with mysteries. The books should be read in order:

1. A Study in Vegetables (2024) – The debut mystery that introduces the quirky cast of local sleuths.
2. The Sign of the Axe (2024) – The second mystery on Gotland, heightening the local intrigue.

What to Know Before You Start

Annelie Wendeberg's career as a microbiologist heavily influences her writing. In the Anna Kronberg series, this scientific background shines through in the detailed, accurate descriptions of disease transmission (such as cholera and anthrax) and Victorian forensic science. Her historical mysteries do not shy away from the smells, filth, and brutal inequalities of Victorian London.

Wendeberg's heroines are deliberately complex, morally grey, and often traumatized. Whether it is Anna Kronberg disguising herself as a man to survive and work, or Micka Capra carving words into her skin to cope with synesthesia, Wendeberg writes characters who are survivors first and heroines second. Expect tight plotting, historical realism, and strong atmospheric writing across all of her series.