Beverly Swerling Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Beverly Swerling

For readers new to Beverly Swerling, the absolute best starting point is her masterpiece, City of Dreams (2001). This novel begins her acclaimed Old New York series, which stands as her most famous work. Because her stories are epic, multi-generational tales packed with medical history, family feuds, and vivid historical settings, diving straight into the founding of Manhattan provides the perfect introduction to her style.

If you prefer a standalone story without committing to a four-part saga, Shadowbrook (2004) is an excellent alternative. Set during the French and Indian War, this sweeping novel showcases her trademark ability to weave real historical figures—including a young George Washington—into a dramatic fictional narrative. For those who enjoy a blend of modern mystery and historical thriller, Bristol House (2013) offers a unique dual-timeline mystery alternating between modern London and Tudor-era England.

The Old New York (City) Series Order

Swerling’s crowning achievement is her four-novel saga tracing the evolution of Manhattan from a 17th-century trading post to a Gilded Age metropolis. The narrative is driven by a fierce, centuries-long rivalry between two families: the Turners (surgeons, apothecaries, and healers) and the Devreys (ambitious merchants and developers). The publication order of this series aligns perfectly with its chronological setting, making it the recommended reading path:

1. City of Dreams (2001) – Set in 1661 New Amsterdam, this book introduces Lucas and Sally Turner as they arrive in the raw Dutch colony and ignite the generational feud with the Devreys.
2. City of Glory (2007) – Set during the War of 1812, following the families' descendants as British forces threaten New York and commercial ambitions rise.
3. City of God (2008) – Set in the mid-19th century (1840s–1850s), detailing the construction of Central Park and the social tensions of early immigration.
4. City of Promise (2011) – Set during the Gilded Age (late 1860s to 1870s), capturing the post-Civil War reconstruction era and the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Can the City Books Be Read as Standalones?

Yes. Swerling designed each installment to feature a self-contained plot with a new generation of characters. However, reading them in order delivers the most rewarding experience, allowing you to appreciate the family legacy, recurring locations, and the gradual rise of New York City.

Swerling's Pseudonyms: Beverly Byrne and Beverly S. Martin

Before publishing under her own name, Swerling had a successful career writing historical sagas, romances, and thrillers under the pen names Beverly Byrne and Beverly S. Martin. Many of these older titles were re-released as e-books under the Beverly Swerling name in the 2010s. If you are exploring her deeper catalog, these are the key series and standalone releases to know:

The Griffin Saga (as Beverly Byrne)

A dramatic historical romance series tracing the fortunes of the Griffin family:

• The Outcast (1981)
• The Adventurer (1982)
• Fiery Splendor (1983)

The Mendoza Saga (as Beverly Byrne)

A trilogy following the Mendoza family over centuries, from the Spanish Inquisition to modern times:

• A Lasting Fire (1991)
• The Flames of Vengeance (1991)
• The Firebirds (1992)

Standalone Novels and Re-Releases

• Women's Rites (1985 / Re-released 2015) – Written as Beverly Byrne, focusing on two women growing up in mid-20th century Revere, Massachusetts.
• A Matter of Time (1987 / Re-released 2013) – Written as Beverly Byrne, a thriller set in Spain involving a historical mystery.
• Juffie Kane (1989 / Re-released 2013) – Written as Beverly S. Martin, following a Broadway actress in the 1950s caught in global secrets.
• Mollie Pride (1991 / Re-released 2013) – Written as Beverly S. Martin, an epic saga moving from Britain to Australia.
• Shadowbrook (2004) – A historical epic centering on the French and Indian War.
• Bristol House (2013) – A time-bending Tudor/modern London thriller.

What to Know Before You Start

Swerling was famous for her meticulous research, utilizing historical maps, municipal records, and medical texts. Because the Turner family features many healers and surgeons, her books contain detailed, realistic, and sometimes graphic descriptions of early dentistry, surgery, and apothecary practices. Furthermore, her characters are morally complex; you will find a realistic blend of ambition, grey morality, and human conflict rather than simple heroes and villains.