🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About Elizabeth Peters
Elizabeth Peters was one of the pseudonyms of American author Barbara Mertz, which she used from 1968 until her death in 2013. She published a broad range of literature across a multitude of series including, but not limited to, her most famous work – the 19-book Amelia Peabody series. She was so invested in that series that the name of the titular character was drawn from the author’s two children. She was also responsible for the Vicky Bliss series, the Jacqueline Kirby series, and almost a dozen other works of fiction. Born in a small town in Illinois in 1927, Barbara Metz spent much of her early life reading. She consumed such works of fiction as Mark Twain, Shakespeare, Dracula, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and many others.
All Book Series by Elizabeth Peters
The Painted Queen
Latest in the series · book 20 of 20 · published 2014 Co-authored · Joan Hess
The Dark on the Other Side
Book 4 of 26 · published 1970 Anthology · Barbara Michaels
House of Many Shadows
Book 9 of 26 · published 1974 Anthology · Barbara Michaels
The Sea King's Daughter
Book 10 of 26 · published 1975 Anthology · Barbara Michaels
The Walker in Shadows
Book 14 of 26 · published 1979 Anthology · Barbara Michaels
The Wizard's Daughter
Book 16 of 26 · published 1980 Anthology · Barbara Michaels
Be Buried in the Rain
Book 20 of 26 · published 1985 Anthology · Barbara Michaels
Vanish with the Rose
Book 23 of 26 · published 1992 Anthology · Barbara Michaels
Other Worlds
Latest in the series · book 26 of 26 · published 1999 Anthology · Barbara Michaels
The Locked Tomb Mystery: And Other Stories
Latest in the series · book 2 of 2 · published 2018
Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs
Series opener · book 1 of 2 · published 1978 Pen name · Barbara Mertz
Amelia Peabody's Egypt
Latest in the series · book 2 of 2 · published 2003 Co-authored · Kristen Whitbread
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Elizabeth Peters?
Elizabeth Peters was one of the pseudonyms of American author Barbara Mertz, which she used from 1968 until her death in 2013. She published a broad range of literature across a multitude of series including, but not limited to, her most famous work – the 19-book Amelia Peabody series. She was so invested in that series that the name of the titular character was drawn from the author’s two children.
Which Elizabeth Peters series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Vicky Bliss series, the earliest of Elizabeth Peters's multi-book series: it opens with The Camelot Caper (1969) and runs to 7 books across 1969–2008, ending with The Laughter of Dead Kings (2008). Elizabeth Peters's other series stand alone, so they can be read in any order.
How many books has Elizabeth Peters written?
Elizabeth Peters has 66 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1968 and 2018. 32 of them belong to 4 named series — the largest being the Amelia Peabody series with 20 books — and 34 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should Elizabeth Peters's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. Elizabeth Peters's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Vicky Bliss (1969–2008, 7 books), Jacqueline Kirby (1972–1989, 4 books) and Amelia Peabody (1975–2014, 20 books), plus 1 more.
How are Elizabeth Peters's books organised into series?
This guide splits Elizabeth Peters's 66 books into 4 named series and 34 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Amelia Peabody (20 books, 1975–2014); Vicky Bliss (7 books, 1969–2008); Jacqueline Kirby (4 books, 1972–1989); Barbara Mertz Short Story Collections (1 book, 2018).