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Carolly Erickson Books in Order

28 Books
2 Series & collections
1971 – 2013 Published
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Where to Start Reading Carolly Erickson

Carolly Erickson (1943–2020) was a rare talent who succeeded in two distinct literary fields: scholarly but highly readable non-fiction biographies and imaginative first-person historical fiction. Because her books do not follow a strict chronological series, you have several entry points depending on your reading preferences.

If you prefer historical fiction, your best starting point is The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette (2005). This was Erickson’s debut novel, and it showcases her trademark style—a diary-style format that is deeply intimate, atmospheric, and highly readable. It remains one of her most popular works.

If you prefer non-fiction biography, start with The First Elizabeth (1983) or her breakout book Bloody Mary (1978). These works read like novels but remain grounded in meticulous historical research, offering psychological insight into the minds of England's famous Tudor sisters.

The Wives of Henry VIII: Historical Fiction Order

Erickson wrote four historical novels focused on the wives of Henry VIII. While these are standalone stories that do not require reading in sequence, many historical fiction fans prefer to read them in the order of the actual marriages (chronological order) rather than when they were published.

Chronological Order (Based on Historical Events)

  1. The Spanish Queen (2013) – Focuses on Catherine of Aragon (Wife #1)
  2. The Favored Queen (2011) – Focuses on Jane Seymour (Wife #3)
  3. The Unfaithful Queen (2011) – Focuses on Catherine Howard (Wife #5)
  4. The Last Wife of Henry VIII (2006) – Focuses on Catherine Parr (Wife #6)

Note that Anne Boleyn (Wife #2) and Anne of Cleves (Wife #4) do not have dedicated novels in this selection. However, if you want to fill the Anne Boleyn gap, you can read Erickson’s non-fiction biography, Mistress Anne (1984), between the first and second novels.

Publication Order of the Henry VIII Wives Novels

If you prefer to see how Erickson’s fictional craft evolved over time, read them in order of publication:

  1. The Last Wife of Henry VIII (2006)
  2. The Favored Queen (2011)
  3. The Unfaithful Queen (2011)
  4. The Spanish Queen (2013)

The Biography-Novel Pairs: The Companion Reading Path

One of the most rewarding ways to read Carolly Erickson is to pair her non-fiction biographies with her corresponding historical fiction. This allows you to first understand the historical record, then enjoy her creative, novelistic reimagining of the same figure's private thoughts.

  • The Marie Antoinette Pair: Read the biography To the Scaffold (1991) first, followed by the fictionalized journal The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette (2005).
  • The Empress Josephine Pair: Read the biography Josephine: A Life of the Empress (1980) first, followed by the novel The Secret Life of Josephine (2007).
  • The Romanov Pair: Read the biography Alexandra: The Last Tsarina (2000) first, followed by the award-winning novel The Tsarina's Daughter (2008).
  • The Mary Queen of Scots Connection: Read her short profiles in Brief Lives of the English Monarchs (2007) before jumping into the novel The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots (2009).

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

If you want to read all of Erickson's historical fiction in the order she wrote them, follow this list:

  1. The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette (2005)
  2. The Last Wife of Henry VIII (2006)
  3. The Secret Life of Josephine (2007)
  4. The Tsarina's Daughter (2008)
  5. The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots (2009)
  6. Rival to the Queen (2010)
  7. The Favored Queen (2011)
  8. The Unfaithful Queen (2011)
  9. The Spanish Queen (2013)

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Works

Erickson's non-fiction career spans several decades. These books cover broader themes of medieval life, royal biographies, and historical overviews:

  1. The Records of Medieval Europe (1971)
  2. The Medieval Vision (1976)
  3. Civilization and Society in the West (1978)
  4. Bloody Mary (1978)
  5. Josephine (1980)
  6. Royal Panoply (1980)
  7. Great Harry (1980)
  8. The First Elizabeth (1983)
  9. Mistress Anne (also published as Anne Boleyn) (1984)
  10. Our Tempestuous Day: A History of Regency England (1986)
  11. Bonnie Prince Charlie (1989)
  12. To the Scaffold (1991)
  13. Great Catherine (1994)
  14. Her Little Majesty (1997)
  15. Arc of the Arrow (1998)
  16. Alexandra (2000)
  17. Lilibet (2004)
  18. The Girl from Botany Bay (2004)
  19. Brief Lives of the English Monarchs (2007)

What to Know Before You Start

Erickson’s novels are highly imaginative and often take creative liberties with the historical record. For instance, in The Tsarina's Daughter, she explores alternative fates for the Romanov family, and in The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette, she adds fictionalized personal secrets that are not supported by academic history. If you are looking for strict historical accuracy, stick to her non-fiction biographies. If you want emotional resonance, character depth, and page-turning drama, her novels are highly satisfying choices.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read Carolly Erickson's books in a specific order?

No. All of Carolly Erickson's novels and biographies are standalones. You can read them in any order, though reading her Henry VIII wives novels in chronological order of their marriages provides a great thematic experience.

QWhich Carolly Erickson book should I read first?

If you prefer fiction, start with The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette. If you prefer non-fiction biography, start with The First Elizabeth or Bloody Mary.

QWhat is the difference between Erickson's biographies and her novels?

Her biographies are research-based, academic works of non-fiction, whereas her novels are works of historical fiction written in the first person (often as diaries or memoirs) that take creative liberties with the lives of historical figures.

QDid Carolly Erickson write a novel about Anne Boleyn?

No, she did not write a historical novel about Anne Boleyn. However, she wrote a highly acclaimed non-fiction biography about her titled Mistress Anne (1984).

QWhich Carolly Erickson novel won an award?

Her 2008 novel The Tsarina's Daughter, which tells the story of the Romanov Grand Duchess Tatiana, won the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction.

QAre her Marie Antoinette books connected?

They cover the same historical figure but are separate works. To the Scaffold (1991) is a non-fiction biography, while The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette (2005) is a fictionalized novel. Reading them as a pair is highly recommended.