🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About Laurie R. King
The sequel to the first Kate Martinelli mystery novel was published in 1995. The title is derived from a line in Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night”, where the jester says that it takes a wise man to play a fool. Celebrated author Laurie R. King is back again to show readers what Kate Martinelli’s got. The story starts off with a group of homeless people cremating a loved pet dog in the Golden Gate Park of San Francisco. Normally, the authorities are willing to look away over incidents like this and ignore a few bent regulations. But when the owner of the dog gets the same exact fiery send off to the next plane, the San Francisco Police Department recognizes that there is a serious problem here. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, Laurie R. King 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 Laurie R. King
A Grave Talent
A Grave Talent is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Kate Martinelli Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
To Play the Fool
To Play the Fool continues the Publication Order of Kate Martinelli Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
With Child
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Kate Martinelli Books with With Child, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Night Work
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Kate Martinelli Books with Night Work, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
The Art of Detection
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Kate Martinelli Books with The Art of Detection, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Beginnings
Beginnings continues the Publication Order of Kate Martinelli Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Beekeeper's Apprentice
The Beekeeper's Apprentice is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
A Monstrous Regiment of Women
A Monstrous Regiment of Women continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
A Letter of Mary
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books with A Letter of Mary, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
The Moor
The Moor is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
O Jerusalem
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books with O Jerusalem, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Justice Hall
Justice Hall continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Game
The Game continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Locked Rooms
Locked Rooms continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Marriage of Billie Birdsong
The Marriage of Billie Birdsong continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Language of Bees
The Language of Bees is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
The God of the Hive
The God of the Hive is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Pirate King
Pirate King continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Garment of Shadows
Garment of Shadows is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Dreaming Spies
Dreaming Spies is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
The Marriage of Mary Russell
The Marriage of Mary Russell continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Murder of Mary Russell
A gripping mystery unfolds in The Murder of Mary Russell as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series showcases Laurie R. King's mastery of suspense.
Mary Russell's War
Conflict and courage define Mary Russell's War, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series by Laurie R. King that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.
Mary Russell's War
Conflict and courage define Mary Russell's War, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series by Laurie R. King that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.
Mary's Christmas
Mary's Christmas is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Island of the Mad
Island of the Mad continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Riviera Gold
Riviera Gold is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Castle Shade
Castle Shade is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
The Lantern's Dance
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books with The Lantern's Dance, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Knave of Diamonds
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books with Knave of Diamonds, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Beekeeping for Beginners
Beekeeping for Beginners continues the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Stately Holmes
Stately Holmes is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Mrs Hudson's Case
Mrs Hudson's Case is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
The Mary Russell Companion
The Mary Russell Companion is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mary Russell Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Touchstone
Touchstone is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Harris Stuyvesant Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
The Bones of Paris
The Bones of Paris is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Harris Stuyvesant Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Folly
Folly continues the Publication Order of Folly Island Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
A Darker Place
A Darker Place continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Keeping Watch
Keeping Watch is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Califia's Daughters
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Califia's Daughters, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
My Thesis Being...
My Thesis Being... is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Lockdown
Lockdown is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Back to the Garden
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Back to the Garden, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Paleta Man
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with Paleta Man, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Hellbender
Hellbender is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Mila's Tale
Mila's Tale is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Two Kids on a Grift
Two Kids on a Grift continues the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Arvon Book of Crime and Thriller Writing
The investigation intensifies in The Arvon Book of Crime and Thriller Writing, as this installment of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Laurie R. King's creation.
Laurie R. King's Sherlock Holmes
Laurie R. King's Sherlock Holmes continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Irreconcilable Differences
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Irreconcilable Differences, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Criminal Kabbalah: An Intriguing Anthology of Jewish Mystery and Detective Fiction
The investigation intensifies in Criminal Kabbalah: An Intriguing Anthology of Jewish Mystery and Detective Fiction, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Laurie R. King's creation.
Murder at the Foul Line
A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder at the Foul Line as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Laurie R. King's mastery of suspense.
Wild Crimes
The investigation intensifies in Wild Crimes, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Laurie R. King's creation.
Unusual Suspects
Unusual Suspects continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
A Study in Sherlock
A Study in Sherlock continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Writes of Passage
Writes of Passage continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
In the Company of Sherlock Holmes
In the Company of Sherlock Holmes is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
Echoes of Sherlock Holmes
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Echoes of Sherlock Holmes, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
Bound by Mystery
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Bound by Mystery, another outstanding contribution from Laurie R. King.
For the Sake of the Game
For the Sake of the Game is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
In League with Sherlock Holmes
In League with Sherlock Holmes is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Laurie R. King have come to expect.
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Laurie R. King's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Laurie R. King?
Laurie R. King is a bestselling author known for 10 book series containing over 62 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Kate Martinelli Books, Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books, Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Short Stories/Novellas. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
What is the best Laurie R. King series to start with?
For readers new to Laurie R. King's work, the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 24 books. Begin with The Beekeeper's Apprentice to start from the very beginning.
How many books has Laurie R. King written?
Laurie R. King has written over 62 books across 10 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.
Should I read Laurie R. King books in order?
Yes, reading Laurie R. King'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 Laurie R. King write in?
Laurie R. King writes primarily in fiction. With 10 series across 62 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.
Are Laurie R. King's books standalone or must they be read as a series?
Most of Laurie R. King'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 Laurie R. King's most popular book?
Based on reader reviews and sales data, Laurie R. King's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Books series. The first book, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.