Diney Costeloe Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Diney Costeloe

For readers diving into Diney Costeloe's emotionally charged historical fiction, the best place to start is with her breakout international bestseller, The Throwaway Children. This book showcases her signature style: meticulous historical research, relatable characters facing overwhelming adversity, and a narrative grounded in real post-war events.

Alternatively, if you prefer stories set during the height of World War II, starting with The Girl With No Name is highly recommended. It serves as the opening book of a duology and immediately immerses you in the tensions of the London Blitz and the emotional weight of the Kindertransport.

The Girl With No Name Series

This duology follows the harrowing journey of Lisa, a young Jewish girl who escapes Nazi Germany to London, only to lose her memory during a Blitz bombing. The story continues into the post-war era, showing how characters rebuild their lives amidst secrets and scars.

• The Girl With No Name (2016) – Introduces Lisa, who is taken in by a London family but is left with no memory of her past after a bomb strike, leading to a new identity as Charlotte.
• The Married Girls (2017) – Set in 1949, this sequel follows Charlotte as she navigates life in a quiet Somerset village while past secrets threaten to resurface.

The Girls Who Dared Series

This series moves back in time to the early 20th century, tracing the life of Mabel Oakley and the profound societal shifts brought about by the outbreak of World War I.

• The Girl Who Dared to Dream (2022) – Mabel Oakley dreams of becoming a teacher in 1912 London, but family tragedy forces her into domestic service.
• The Girls Who Dared to Love (2024) – Mabel runs an inherited printing business as World War I breaks out, bringing her path into contact with wealthy debutantes and changing social classes. (Note: In some markets, this second book was published under the title The Girls They Left Behind).

Children of the Siege Series

This duology steps away from the World Wars to explore the conflicts of 19th-century France, specifically the Franco-Prussian War and the Siege of Paris.

• Children of the Siege (2019) – Follows the St. Clair family returning to Paris just as it is cut off by the Prussian army, leading to the separation of their daughter Hélène.
• The French Wife (2020) – Picking up several years later in 1877, this sequel follows Hélène and her orphaned friend Annette as they protect a dangerous secret from their past.

The Throwaway Children & Companion Story

While primarily a standalone novel, Costeloe published a companion short story that acts as a direct continuation for the book's central antagonist.

• The Throwaway Children (2015) – The core novel focusing on sisters Rita and Rosie Stevens, who are sent to a British orphanage and subsequently migrated to Australia.
• Her Missing Husband (2016) – A short companion story that follows Jimmy Randall, the stepfather responsible for the girls' plight, as he goes on the run.

The St. Croix Connected Novels

These two books are linked by their setting and the presence of the Sisters of St. Croix, bridging World War I and World War II narratives.

• The Lost Soldier (2000) – Originally published under the title The Ashgrove and also known as The Nurses of St Croix. It follows a dual timeline between a 1921 memorial mystery and a 2001 investigation.
• The Sisters of St Croix (2009) – Also published under the title Death's Dark Vale. This companion novel is set during World War II and centers on the heroic actions of French nuns and resistance fighters.

The Danger of Double-Buying: Alternative Titles Guide

Several of Diney Costeloe's novels have been retitled and republished over the years. To avoid accidentally buying the same book twice, keep this list of alternative titles handy:

• The Lost Soldier is the same book as The Ashgrove and The Nurses of St Croix.
• The Sisters of St Croix is the same book as Death's Dark Vale.
• The Runaway Family is the same book as Evil on the Wind.
• The New Neighbours is the same book as Dartmouth Circle.
• The Girls Who Dared to Love is published in some editions as The Girls They Left Behind.

Standalone Historical Novels

The rest of Costeloe's historical bibliography consists of standalone stories that can be read in any order. Each focuses on a distinct cast of characters finding resilience during wartime:

• A Dish Served Cold (2014)
• Miss Mary's Daughter (2018)
• The Lost Girl in Paris (2020)
• The Stolen Baby (2021)

Pseudonym Romance Novels (as Diney Delancey)

Before focusing on historical fiction under her real name, Costeloe published ten romantic novels under the pen name Diney Delancey. These are lighter, contemporary romance novels:

• The Slopes of Love (1981)
• Love's Dawning (1982)
• The Secret of Shearwater (1982)
• Brave Heart (1983)
• Silverstrand (1983)
• Love Game (1986)
• For Love of Oliver (1997)
• An Old-Fashioned Love (1998)
• Kiss and Tell (2007)
• A Chance of Happiness (2007)
• Kendal Black (2014)