Ariel Lawhon Books in Order

Where to Start with Ariel Lawhon

Because Ariel Lawhon's novels are standalone historical mysteries, there is no single mandatory reading order. You can pick up any book that catches your interest. However, if you want the best introduction to her signature style—which blends meticulous historical research, suspense, and strong female leads—we recommend starting with one of her most popular works:

• For mystery and drama: Start with The Frozen River (2023). This Good Morning America Book Club pick is inspired by the real-life diary of 18th-century midwife Martha Ballard and follows her quest for justice after a dead body is found frozen in the Kennebec River.
• For high-stakes espionage: Start with Code Name Hélène (2020). This thrilling novel recounts the incredible true exploits of Australian-born WWII spy Nancy Wake, told in a brilliant, fast-paced narrative.

If you prefer to see an author's writing style evolve over time, reading in publication order is another excellent path.

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Here is the chronological publication list of Ariel Lawhon's full-length standalone novels, each exploring a different historical era and mystery:

1. The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress (2014) – A reimagining of the infamous 1930 disappearance of New York Judge Joseph Crater, told through the perspectives of three women who knew him best.
2. Flight of Dreams (2016) – A suspenseful, claustrophobic drama that takes place during the final, ill-fated flight of the Hindenburg airship in 1937.
3. I Was Anastasia (2018) – A dual-narrative epic that details both the final days of the Romanov Grand Duchess Anastasia and the life of Anna Anderson, the woman who claimed to be her decades later.
4. Code Name Hélène (2020) – Based on the real-life experiences of Nancy Wake, an Allied spy and commander in the French Resistance during World War II.
5. When We Had Wings (2022) – A collaborative novel co-authored with Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner, following the shared struggles of three nurses (U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and Filipino) in the Philippines during WWII.
6. The Frozen River (2023) – A tense, atmospheric historical mystery focused on 18th-century midwife Martha Ballard as she investigates a murder in a divided Maine town.

The Blaze Collection (Amazon Original Stories)

In 2024, Ariel Lawhon contributed to the Blaze Collection, a multi-author series of historical short stories published by Amazon Original Stories. It is important to note that while local listings group these books together, Lawhon did not write the entire collection. She authored one installment, while other bestselling historical fiction writers penned the rest:

• Barriers to Entry (2024) – Written by Ariel Lawhon. Set in 1945, it focuses on Frances Glessner Lee, the pioneer of forensic science, as she challenges male Harvard students to solve a murder using her miniature crime scenes. (This story was nominated for the 2025 Edgar Award for Best Short Story).
• Tune in Tomorrow (2024) – Written by Melanie Benjamin.
• The June Paintings (2024) – Written by Maggie Shipstead.
• Fires to Come (2024) – Written by Asha Lemmie.
• Amelia's Shadow (2024) – Written by Marie Benedict.
• Fallen Grace (2024) – Written by Sadeqa Johnson.
• The Forgotten Chapter (2024) – Written by Pam Jenoff.

Anthology Contributions

Aside from her novels, Lawhon has contributed short fiction to anthologies edited by J.T. Ellison:

• Dead Ends: Stories from the Gothic South (2017) – A collection of dark, southern-inspired short stories featuring various contributors.
• A Thousand Doors (2018) – An anthology where Lawhon contributed the short story titled "The Spy".

What to Know Before You Start

Ariel Lawhon is known for her deep dive into historical archives, often structuring her narratives around real, often-overlooked historical figures or events. When reading her work, it helps to keep a few things in mind:

• Fact vs. Fiction: She frequently includes an author's note at the end of her novels explaining which elements of the story are historically accurate and where she took creative liberties. Reading these notes adds significant depth to the experience.
• Collaborative Works: When We Had Wings is a true three-way collaboration rather than an anthology. Lawhon, McMorris, and Meissner worked closely together to interweave the perspectives of their three main characters.
• Community Engagement: Lawhon is also a co-founder of She Reads, a popular online book community focusing on women's literature, which informs her focus on stories centered on resilient women.