M

Maeve Binchy

Bestselling Author • 7 Series • 52 Books

7
Series
52
Books
7
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: Light a Penny Candle (1982)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
Start with: The Builders (2002)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Fairytales for Feminists Books
Start with: Ride on Rapunzel (1994)

About Maeve Binchy

During the poll for World Book Day in 2000, she finished third ahead of famed writers like Charles Dickens and Stephen King. Ireland’s most loved writer was born on 28 May 1940 in Dalkey, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Ireland. She was the oldest of four siblings including one brother and two sisters. As her parents were catholic, she attended Holy Child Convent in Killiney and earned a Bachelor’s in history for University of College Dublin. Her first job was of a French language teacher but she barely had any money. Her career was profoundly affected when her parents gifted her a trip to Israel. Though her parents were nervous sending her alone to Middle East, she went and worked in kibbutz where she picked oranges and tugged chickens. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, Maeve Binchy 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 Maeve Binchy

Publication Order of Standalone Novels
18 books 1982–2012
1

Light a Penny Candle

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Light a Penny Candle, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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1982
2

The Lilac Bus

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Lilac Bus, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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1984
3

Echoes

Echoes is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1985
4

Firefly Summer

Firefly Summer continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1987
5

Silver Wedding

Silver Wedding continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1988
6

Circle of Friends

Circle of Friends is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1990
7

The Copper Beech

The Copper Beech continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1992
8

The Glass Lake

The Glass Lake continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1994
9

Shancarrig

Shancarrig is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1995
10

Evening Class

Evening Class is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1996
11

Tara Road

Tara Road is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1998
12

Scarlet Feather

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Scarlet Feather, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2000
13

Quentins

Quentins is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2002
14

Nights of Rain and Stars

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Nights of Rain and Stars, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2004
15

Whitethorn Woods

Whitethorn Woods continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2006
16

Heart and Soul

Heart and Soul explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Maeve Binchy.

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2008
17

Minding Frankie

Minding Frankie is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2010
18

A Week in Winter

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with A Week in Winter, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2012
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
6 books 2002–2016
1

The Builders

The Builders is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2002
2

Star Sullivan

Star Sullivan is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2006
3

A Week in Summer

A Week in Summer is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2011
4

Full House

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with Full House, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2012
5

Dusty's Winter

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with Dusty's Winter, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2016
6

The September Letters

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with The September Letters, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2016
Publication Order of Fairytales for Feminists Books
1 books 1994–1994
1

Ride on Rapunzel

Ride on Rapunzel is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Fairytales for Feminists Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1994
Publication Order of Plays
3 books 2006–2010
1

Deeply Regretted By

Deeply Regretted By is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Plays series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2006
2

Half Promised Land

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Plays with Half Promised Land, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2009
3

End of Term

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Plays with End of Term, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2010
Publication Order of Collections
12 books 1978–2021
1

Central Line

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with Central Line, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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1978
2

Victoria Line / London Transports

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with Victoria Line / London Transports, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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1980
3

Dublin Four

Dublin Four is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1981
4

Story Teller

Story Teller continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1990
5

Dublin People

Dublin People is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1993
6

This Year It Will Be Different and Other Stories

This Year It Will Be Different and Other Stories continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1995
7

Cross Lines

Cross Lines continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1996
8

The Return Journey

The Return Journey is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1998
9

Maeve's Times

Maeve's Times continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2013
10

Chestnut Street

Chestnut Street is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2014
11

A Few of the Girls

A Few of the Girls continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2015
12

Maeve Binchy’s Treasury

Maeve Binchy’s Treasury continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2021
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
5 books 1979–2008
1

Maeve's Diary

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Maeve's Diary, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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1979
2

Dear Maeve

Dear Maeve is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1995
3

Aches & Pains

Aches & Pains continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1999
4

A Time to Dance

A Time to Dance continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2006
5

The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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2008
Publication Order of Anthologies
7 books 1995–2013
1

Irish Girls About Town

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Irish Girls About Town, another outstanding contribution from Maeve Binchy.

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1995
2

Virgins and Hyacinths: The Attic Press Book of Fiction

Virgins and Hyacinths: The Attic Press Book of Fiction is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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1997
3

Murder On The Railways

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder On The Railways as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Maeve Binchy's mastery of suspense.

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2003
4

A Tangled Web

A Tangled Web is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2005
5

Over the Moon

Over the Moon continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2009
6

From the Republic of Conscience

From the Republic of Conscience continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Maeve Binchy's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2010
7

London Stories

London Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Maeve Binchy have come to expect.

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2013

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Maeve Binchy?

Maeve Binchy is a bestselling author known for 7 book series containing over 52 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas, Publication Order of Fairytales for Feminists Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Maeve Binchy series to start with?

For readers new to Maeve Binchy's work, the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 18 books. Begin with Light a Penny Candle to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Maeve Binchy written?

Maeve Binchy has written over 52 books across 7 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Maeve Binchy books in order?

Yes, reading Maeve Binchy'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 Maeve Binchy write in?

Maeve Binchy writes primarily in fiction. With 7 series across 52 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Maeve Binchy's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Maeve Binchy'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 Maeve Binchy's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Maeve Binchy's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. The first book, Light a Penny Candle, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.