Clare Marchant Books in Order

How to Read Clare Marchant’s Books

All of Clare Marchant's novels are written as standalone stories. This means you do not need to follow a strict chronological timeline or worry about character crossovers. You can pick up any of her books and dive straight in without feeling lost.

However, the most satisfying way to experience her work is in publication order. Reading her books in the order they were written allows you to appreciate how her atmospheric style, complex dual timelines, and historical research have evolved over time.

The Best Starting Point

If you are new to Clare Marchant, the best place to start is with her debut, The Secrets of Saffron Hall. It perfectly establishes her signature writing style: a contemporary protagonist discovering an old artifact or estate, which unlocks a parallel narrative set in the Tudor period. Another excellent entry point is The Mapmaker's Daughter, which expanded her settings to 16th-century Rotterdam and became a fan favorite for its high-stakes drama.

The Complete Clare Marchant Books in Publication Order

Here is the list of Clare Marchant’s historical fiction novels in the order they were published:

1. The Secrets of Saffron Hall (2020)
2. The Queen’s Spy (2021)
3. The Mapmaker’s Daughter (2022)
4. The House of the Witch (2024)
5. Daughter of the Tarot (2025)
6. The Shadow on the Bridge (2025)
7. The Alchemist’s Secret (2026)

A Closer Look at the Novels

The Secrets of Saffron Hall (2020)

Marchant’s debut novel alternates between the 16th century and the present day. In the modern timeline, Eleanor uncovers a cache of historic saffron threads and an old diary hidden in the walls of Saffron Hall. In the past, Tudor-era Eleanor faces the trials of a marriage aligned with political shifts and the demanding trade of Norfolk's saffron crops. It is a story of resilience, love, and legacy.

The Queen’s Spy (2021)

Set during the reign of Elizabeth I, this novel introduces Tom, a young mute man whose keen observation skills make him an invaluable asset to the Queen's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham. In the present day, Mathilde discovers an ancient paper roll hidden inside an old book, starting a hunt to uncover Tom's secret role in saving the crown from Catholic plots.

The Mapmaker’s Daughter (2022)

This novel weaves together the story of Frieda, a Dutch mapmaker's daughter who flees religious persecution in 1569 Rotterdam for the safety of England, and Robyn, a modern-day cartographer who discovers an ancient map with hidden messages. The story is highly praised for its geographical detail and tense, emotional pacing.

The House of the Witch (2024)

Blending mystery and local folklore, this novel alternates between the modern day and 17th-century East Anglia. In the past, a woman is accused of witchcraft during the height of the witch trials. In the present, the uncovering of an old cottage brings a researcher face-to-face with the dark truths of historical hysteria and female empowerment.

Daughter of the Tarot (2025)

This dual-timeline story centers on a set of ancient tarot cards. In 1644 London, during the English Civil War, a young woman relies on her tarot readings to survive the turbulent political landscape. In the present, a woman trying to catalog a historical estate uncovers the deck, realizing a missing card holds the key to a family secret that has survived for centuries.

The Shadow on the Bridge (2025)

Shifting between the dangerous court of Elizabeth I in 1571 and the present day, this novel follows Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel, who is caught up in the fallout of the Ridolfi Plot. In the modern timeline, Sarah discovers a rare book of poetry that connects her directly to Anne’s tragic court history, leading to a journey of discovery along Norfolk’s coast.

The Alchemist’s Secret (2026)

Marchant’s 2026 release takes readers from a contemporary family estate back to 1672. When Paige returns to her family home, she discovers a mysterious, unsigned painting that hints at alchemy and an ancient crime. The historical thread follows Jeanne, a woman caught up in the dangerous, clandestine world of seventeenth-century alchemy, science, and murder.

What to Know Before You Start

• Dual Timelines: Every novel follows a parallel narrative structure, splitting the focus evenly between a modern-day investigator or historian and a woman surviving in a past era (typically Tudor or Stuart England).
• The Norfolk Setting: Marchant lives in Norfolk, and its local history, ancient ruins, windswept beaches, and monastic sites serve as major inspirations for Saffron Hall and subsequent settings.
• Focus on Silent History: Marchant is passionate about highlighting the lives of ordinary historical women and individuals with disabilities (such as the mute protagonist in The Queen’s Spy) whose voices were historically ignored.