The Recommended Reading Order for Antonia Hodgson
If you are looking to dive into the worlds of Antonia Hodgson, you have two primary options: her acclaimed Georgian historical mystery series or her newer epic fantasy trilogy. Because these two works belong to entirely different genres and continuities, your choice depends on what kind of story you are in the mood for. However, within each series, it is highly recommended to follow the order in which the books were published to properly appreciate the character development and overarching narrative threads.
The Thomas Hawkins Series (Historical Crime Fiction)
The core of Hodgson's literary reputation rests on the Thomas Hawkins series. Set in late 1720s England, these books follow Tom Hawkins, a rakish, gambling clergyman's son who repeatedly finds himself caught up in murder, corruption, and systemic cruelty. Because the interpersonal relationships, romantic entanglements, and recurring characters (such as Kitty Sparks and Samuel Fleet) evolve significantly from one book to the next, you should read these in order.
1. The Devil in the Marshalsea (2014)
This is where the story begins. Set in 1727, we meet Tom Hawkins as he is thrown into London's notorious Marshalsea Debtors' Prison. The prison is split into two halves: the relatively comfortable Master's Side (for those who can pay) and the disease-ridden, brutal Common Side (where prisoners regularly starve). When Tom is offered a room on the Master's Side in exchange for investigating the grisly murder of a previous inmate, Captain Roberts, he accepts. He must share a room with the prime suspect, Samuel Fleet, and solve the murder before his money runs out and he is cast into the lethal Common Side. This debut won the CWA Historical Dagger Award and introduces the key dynamics of the series.
2. The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins (2015)
Set in 1728, shortly after the events of the first book, Tom has managed to find some semblance of freedom in London. However, his luck runs out when he is accused of a shocking murder. Facing the gallows at Tyburn, Tom must recount his confession and unravel a web of political intrigue, criminal conspiracies, and personal betrayals in a race against time to save his own neck. This installment expands on his relationship with the fierce and independent Kitty Sparks.
3. A Death at Fountains Abbey (2016)
In the spring of 1728, Tom is sent away from the grime of London to the Yorkshire countryside. He is tasked by the government with investigating death threats sent to John Aislabie, the wealthy owner of Studley Royal and a politician heavily implicated in the devastating South Sea Bubble financial disaster. Set against the gothic ruins of Fountains Abbey, this novel takes a slightly different tone, mixing rural landscapes with financial scandals, local superstitions, and historic greed.
4. The Silver Collar (2020)
Returning to London in late 1728, Tom and Kitty Sparks find their lives shattered when a brutal attack targeted at them forces them into a dark, sprawling investigation. This novel confronts the horrific realities of the transatlantic slave trade and its presence in Georgian London, carrying a heavier, more emotional tone than its predecessors while maintaining the series' trademark suspense and historical authenticity.
The Eternal Path Trilogy (Epic Fantasy)
In 2025, Antonia Hodgson fulfilled a long-held passion to write fantasy by launching a brand new trilogy. Completely separate from the historical crimes of Tom Hawkins, this series features rich world-building, magical lore, and complex political dynamics.
1. The Raven Scholar (2025)
The opening volume of the trilogy introduces readers to the mythical empire of Orrun. Set during a high-stakes struggle for the throne, the story is a murder-mystery told from multiple perspectives—including that of a highly charismatic, talking raven. It blends Hodgson’s well-refined mystery-writing instincts with grand fantasy world-building.
2. The Fox in Winter (Expected 2026 / Future Release)
The second installment in the Eternal Path trilogy continues the imperial intrigue and magical conflicts established in the first book. It follows the surviving characters as the empire of Orrun faces deeper divisions and ancient threats.
Short Stories and Anthologies
Dead Simple (2017)
If you are looking for a quick read, Hodgson contributed a short story to the anthology Dead Simple. Published in 2017 as part of the Quick Reads initiative, this collection features bite-sized thriller and crime stories from eight prominent authors, including Mark Billingham and Clare Mackintosh. While not a full-length Tom Hawkins novel, it provides a great showcase of Hodgson's punchy, suspenseful prose style.
What to Know Before You Start
Antonia Hodgson is a former editor-in-chief at Little, Brown, and her deep understanding of publishing shows in her tight plotting and vivid descriptions. Her historical fiction is heavily grounded in real-world history. For example, the villainous William Acton in The Devil in the Marshalsea was a real historical warden of the prison, famous for his cruelty, and John Aislabie of A Death at Fountains Abbey was a key figure in the real South Sea Bubble collapse.
While each of the Tom Hawkins novels wraps up its central mystery, they are not true standalones. The emotional weight of the sequels depends heavily on knowing what Tom and Kitty survived in previous books, and the enigmatic Samuel Fleet's true motives are a slow-burn puzzle that spans the entire series. We strongly advise starting with The Devil in the Marshalsea for the historical mystery side, or The Raven Scholar if you prefer epic fantasy.