How to Read Ellen Baker's Novels
Ellen Baker is celebrated for her immersive, emotionally resonant historical fiction and contemporary family dramas. Because all of her books are standalone novels, there is no strict chronological storyline or series continuity you need to follow. You can read them in any order you choose. However, to get the best appreciation of her growth as a writer and the themes she explores, we recommend a specific reading path.
The Recommended Starting Point
We recommend starting with The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson (2024). It is her breakout hit and represents her storytelling at its most polished, blending a colorful 1930s circus setting with a modern-day DNA mystery. Starting here allows you to experience her signature dual-timeline structure at its absolute best.
From there, move on to her latest novel, Summerland Cove (2026), which shifts the focus to contemporary family dynamics and suspense on the coast of Maine. Afterward, you can backtrack to her older historical novels, Keeping the House (2007) and I Gave My Heart to Know This (2011), to explore her deep roots in Upper Midwest history.
Ellen Baker Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to see how Ellen Baker’s thematic focus has shifted over nearly two decades, reading in order of publication is an excellent choice. Here is the chronological list of her releases:
- Keeping the House (2007)
- I Gave My Heart to Know This (2011)
- The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson (2024)
- Summerland Cove (2026)
A Deep Dive into the Novels
Keeping the House (2007)
Set in the small town of Pine Rapids, Wisconsin, Ellen Baker’s award-winning debut novel uses a non-linear narrative to tie together the lives of two women separated by decades. In the 1950s timeline, newlywed Dolly Magnuson feels suffocated by the rigid expectations of post-war domestic life. Her curiosity leads her to explore an abandoned Victorian mansion, where she crosses paths with J.J. Mickelson, a disabled World War II veteran. As Dolly digs into the house's history, the novel flashes back to 1896, introducing Wilma Mickelson, the original bride of the estate. Through Wilma's unhappy marriage and the family's experience through both World Wars, Dolly uncovers dark secrets that echo into her own era.
I Gave My Heart to Know This (2011)
This emotional historical saga centers on the home front during World War II. In 1944 Wisconsin, three women—Grace Anderson, Lena Maki, and Lena's mother, Violet—take up demanding jobs in a local shipyard to aid the war effort. While building ships, they struggle with constant fear for the men fighting overseas. Decades later, Violet's great-granddaughter, Julia, returns to the family farmhouse to heal from her own recent tragedy. By piecing together old letters and heirlooms, Julia uncovers the profound sacrifices and hidden truths of the women who came before her.
The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson (2024)
Widely praised as a compelling blend of historical drama and mystery, this novel moves between 1924, the 1930s, and 2015. In the historical timeline, four-year-old Cecily Larson is abandoned at an orphanage and later sold to a traveling circus. She finds a makeshift family among the performers, including bareback rider Isabelle DuMonde, and falls in love with a roustabout named Lucky. In 2015, a 94-year-old Cecily is living a quiet life in Minnesota. When her family gives her an at-home DNA test, the results expose a web of decades-old secrets, forcing her daughter Liz and granddaughter to question everything they know about their family history.
Summerland Cove (2026)
Shifting away from the historical shipyards and circuses of her previous works, this novel is a contemporary family drama set along the rugged coast of Maine. Lindy has meticulously planned a summer of grand celebrations at her family's beach cottage, including her husband David's fiftieth birthday and her daughter Hailey's wedding. However, the celebrations collapse when David mysteriously disappears on the day of his birthday party. The search for David forces the family to confront long-buried secrets and lies, testing the strength of their relationships under immense pressure.
What to Know Before You Start
Ellen Baker’s novels are highly researched and atmospheric. Her background as a historical society interpreter and museum curator shines through in the vivid details of mid-century shipyards, early 20th-century domestic life, and vintage circus operations. Readers should expect dual timelines, multigenerational secrets, and a strong focus on the resilience of women navigating societal constraints.