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author Reading Order

Ariana Franklin Books in Order

21 Books
4 Series & collections
1970 – 2020 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start Reading Ariana Franklin

If you are new to Ariana Franklin, the absolute best place to start is with Mistress of the Art of Death (2007). This novel introduces her most famous protagonist, Adelia Aguilar, a Salerno-trained pathologist operating in the dangerous, superstitious world of 12th-century England. It represents the pinnacle of Franklin's historical crime writing, blending forensic science, detailed period research, and a strong feminist perspective.

For readers who prefer 18th-century settings with a heavy emphasis on social justice, smuggling, and the American Revolution, starting with the Makepeace Hedley trilogy (written under her real name, Diana Norman) is an excellent alternative. If you want a quick, standalone experience before committing to a series, City of Shadows (2006)—set in the atmospheric, gritty world of 1920s Berlin—offers a fantastic mystery centered on a woman claiming to be the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov.

The Mistress of the Art of Death Series (Adelia Aguilar)

This is Franklin's signature five-book series. The books follow Adelia Aguilar, a female physician who has studied the 'art of death' (forensic pathology) in Salerno, Italy. Sent to England by the King of Sicily, she must hide her skills from a society that would easily brand her a witch. The series should be read in publication order, which also matches the chronological sequence of Adelia's life and her evolving relationship with the nobleman Rowley Picot.

  1. Mistress of the Art of Death (2007) – Adelia arrives in Cambridge to investigate the gruesome murders of Christian children, a crime for which the local Jewish community is being falsely blamed.
  2. The Serpent's Tale (2008) (Also published in the UK as The Death Maze) – Adelia is summoned by King Henry II to investigate the poisoning of his beloved mistress, Rosamund Clifford, inside a labyrinthine castle.
  3. Grave Goods (2009) (Also published in the UK as Relics of the Dead) – Following a devastating fire at Glastonbury Abbey, the supposed bones of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere are discovered, sparking a political storm that Adelia must investigate.
  4. A Murderous Procession (2010) (Also published in the UK as The Assassin's Prayer) – Adelia accompanies Princess Joan on a perilous journey across Europe to Sicily, serving as her protector against a mysterious assassin.
  5. Death and the Maiden (2020) – Written and completed by Franklin's daughter, Samantha Norman, following Ariana's death. This book steps forward to 1191; an injured Adelia takes a back seat while her daughter, Allie, uses her mother's forensic techniques to solve a series of disappearances in Ely.

The Makepeace Hedley Series (Written as Diana Norman)

Before writing under her pseudonym, Diana Norman penned this popular Georgian-era historical fiction trilogy. The story follows Makepeace Burke (later Hedley), a fiercely independent heroine who navigates the class divisions, political turmoil, and smuggling networks of 18th-century England and America. These books must be read in order to appreciate Makepeace's personal growth and changing fortunes.

  1. A Catch of Consequence (2002) – Introduces Makepeace Burke, a headstrong young woman living in Boston and London on the cusp of the American Revolution.
  2. Taking Liberties (2003) – Makepeace navigates the dangers of the revolutionary era, battling personal tragedy and social injustice.
  3. The Sparks Fly Upward (2006) – The final chapter in Makepeace's saga, dealing with family legacy, politics, and survival in Georgian England.

Standalone Historical Novels

In addition to her series, Franklin (and her real-life persona Diana Norman) wrote several standalone historical novels spanning different eras of British and world history. They can be read in any order:

  • Fitzempress' Law (1980) – Her debut historical novel, set during the reign of Henry II, examining early English law and justice.
  • King of the Last Days (1981) – Set during the twilight of the medieval Crusades.
  • Morning Gift (1985) – A romance and political thriller set during the turbulent Norman Conquest.
  • Daughter of Lir (1988) – A sweeping story set in medieval Ireland and England.
  • The Pirate Queen (1991) – A fictionalized saga of the legendary Irish pirate Grace O'Malley.
  • The Vizard Mask (1994) – Set during the Restoration period, following a young Puritan woman in the theatrical and dark world of 17th-century London.
  • Shores of Darkness (1996) – A historical adventure set in the late 18th century.
  • Blood Royal (1998) – A tale of intrigue set during the Wars of the Roses.
  • City of Shadows (2006) – The first novel published under the Ariana Franklin pseudonym, set in Weimar Berlin.
  • The Siege Winter (2014) (Also published in the UK as Winter Siege) – Left unfinished upon Franklin's death in 2011 and completed by her daughter Samantha Norman, this novel is set in 1141 during the civil war (the Anarchy) between King Stephen and Empress Matilda.

Chronological vs. Publication Order: What to Know

While the internal reading order of the series is straightforward, the historical settings of Ariana Franklin's books vary wildly. If you want to read her works chronologically based on their historical settings, you would follow this path:

  • 12th Century (The Anarchy): The Siege Winter (set in 1141)
  • 12th Century (Reign of Henry II & Richard I): Fitzempress' Law, followed by the Mistress of the Art of Death series (set between 1170 and 1191)
  • 15th Century (Wars of the Roses): Blood Royal
  • 17th Century (Restoration London): The Vizard Mask
  • 18th Century (Georgian Era & American Revolution): The Makepeace Hedley trilogy
  • 20th Century (Weimar Republic): City of Shadows (set in 1922)

For the best experience, we recommend sticking to publication order within the individual series, as this preserves the character development, recurring jokes, and the overarching narrative arcs that the author carefully developed over time.

What to Know Before You Start

Readers should be aware that Diana Norman adopted the Ariana Franklin pseudonym in 2006 to launch her historical mystery career with a fresh slate, separating her darker, crime-focused mysteries from her broader historical sagas. She was a meticulous researcher who began her career as Fleet Street's youngest reporter at age 20, bringing a journalist's eye for detail to her historical settings.

Furthermore, because Franklin passed away in 2011, her daughter Samantha Norman completed her last two books. The Siege Winter maintains the dark, suspenseful tone of Franklin's standalones, while Death and the Maiden shifts focus slightly from Adelia to her daughter Allie, providing a satisfying conclusion to the beloved medieval mystery series.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Mistress of the Art of Death series?

You should read the series in publication order: Mistress of the Art of Death, followed by The Serpent's Tale (or The Death Maze), Grave Goods (or Relics of the Dead), A Murderous Procession (or The Assassin's Prayer), and finally Death and the Maiden.

QWhy do some Ariana Franklin books have different titles?

Several books in the Mistress of the Art of Death series were released with different titles in the UK and US markets. For example, the second book is known as The Serpent's Tale in the US and The Death Maze in the UK.

QWho finished Ariana Franklin's unfinished books?

Following Ariana Franklin's death in 2011, her daughter, journalist and author Samantha Norman, completed the manuscripts for The Siege Winter (2014) and the final Adelia Aguilar book, Death and the Maiden (2020).

QAre the Diana Norman books connected to the Ariana Franklin books?

No, the books written as Diana Norman (such as the Makepeace Hedley trilogy) are set in different historical eras and feature entirely different characters. However, they share the same meticulous historical research and strong-willed female protagonists.

QCan Mistress of the Art of Death books be read as standalones?

While the primary mystery in each book is resolved by the end, it is highly recommended to read them in order because the personal relationships, political backdrop, and Adelia's status in medieval society evolve significantly across the books.

QWhat is Ariana Franklin's first book?

Writing under her real name Diana Norman, her first historical novel was Fitzempress' Law (1980). Her first book written under the pseudonym Ariana Franklin was the standalone thriller City of Shadows (2006).