J

Jane Hamilton

Bestselling Author • 2 Series • 10 Books

2
Series
10
Books
2
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: The Book of Ruth / The Frogs Are Still Singing (1988)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Anthologies
Start with: Blue Christmas (2011)

About Jane Hamilton

Jane Hamilton is a published American author. She was born in Oak Park, Illinois, where she grew up. There were five children in her family, and she was the youngest. She would practice writing and entered contests in high school and college, winning prizes for her short stories and poetry. However, she was constantly told writing could not be a viable career. She didn’t think she would be a copy editor or an editor either due to her spelling skills. In 1975 she graduated from high school. After college, she was an intern for Dell Publishing for Children. She went to New York to become an editor. Along the way, she stopped in Wisconsin to visit a friend with an apple orchard. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, Jane Hamilton has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Jane Hamilton

Publication Order of Standalone Novels
8 books 1988–2025
1

The Book of Ruth / The Frogs Are Still Singing

The Book of Ruth / The Frogs Are Still Singing continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Jane Hamilton's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1988
2

A Map of the World

A Map of the World continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Jane Hamilton's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1992
3

The Short History of a Prince

The Short History of a Prince is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jane Hamilton have come to expect.

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1998
4

Disobedience

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Disobedience, another outstanding contribution from Jane Hamilton.

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2000
5

When Madeline Was Young

When Madeline Was Young is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jane Hamilton have come to expect.

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2006
6

Laura Rider's Masterpiece

Laura Rider's Masterpiece is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jane Hamilton have come to expect.

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2009
7

The Excellent Lombards

The Excellent Lombards continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Jane Hamilton's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2016
8

The Phoebe Variations

The Phoebe Variations continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Jane Hamilton's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2025
Publication Order of Anthologies
2 books 2011–2019
1

Blue Christmas

Blue Christmas is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jane Hamilton have come to expect.

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2011
2

Why I Like This Story

Why I Like This Story is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jane Hamilton have come to expect.

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2019

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jane Hamilton?

Jane Hamilton is a bestselling author known for 2 book series containing over 10 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Anthologies. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Jane Hamilton series to start with?

For readers new to Jane Hamilton's work, the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 8 books. Begin with The Book of Ruth / The Frogs Are Still Singing to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Jane Hamilton written?

Jane Hamilton has written over 10 books across 2 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Jane Hamilton books in order?

Yes, reading Jane Hamilton's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Jane Hamilton write in?

Jane Hamilton writes primarily in fiction. With 2 series across 10 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Jane Hamilton's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Jane Hamilton's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Jane Hamilton's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Jane Hamilton's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. The first book, The Book of Ruth / The Frogs Are Still Singing, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.