The “Outlander” series by Diana Gabaldon is a collection of historical fiction novels that have garnered a vast global readership since the debut book was released in 1991. The series, which combines elements of romance and adventure, takes readers on a journey through time, mainly focusing on the 18th-century Scottish Highlands. The central narrative revolves around the love story of Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, the series’ main characters.
If you’re curious about the sequence of the books in the series, continue reading this article for a comprehensive list.
See also: The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stiefvater.
Outlander Books in Order
Outlander Series
- Virgins (Prequel) (2013)
- Outlander (1991)
- Dragonfly in Amber (1992)
- A Fugitive Green (Novella) (2017)
- Voyager (1993)
- Drums of Autumn (1996)
- The Fiery Cross (2001)
- A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005)
- An Echo in the Bone (2009)
- The Space Between (Novella) (2013)
- Written in My Own Heart’s Blood (2014)
- A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows (Novella) (2010)
- Go Tell the Bees that I Am Gone (2021)
Lord John Grey Series
(Spin-off of the Outlander series)
- Lord John and the Hellfire Club (Novella) (1998)
- Lord John and the Private Matter (2003)
- Lord John and the Succubus (2003)
- Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (2007)
- Lord John and the Haunted Soldier (2007)
- The Custom of the Army (2010)
- The Scottish Prisoner (2011)
- A Plague of Zombies (2013)
- Besieged (2017)
Similar Authors
- “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger – A captivating love story that combines elements of time travel and romance.
- “The Winter Sea” by Susanna Kearsley – A historical novel that intertwines the present with the past, focusing on the Jacobite rebellion, with a touch of romance and mystery.
- “The Bronze Horseman” by Paullina Simons – A powerful tale of love and survival during World War II in Leningrad, offering readers a mix of historical detail and passionate romance.
See also: Lucy Foley’s Books in Order.
Most Recommended Books
- Voyager (4.39 Goodreads score)
- Drums of Autumn (4.35 Goodreads score)
- Dragonfly in Amber (4.33 Goodreads score)
- The Fiery Cross (4.25 Goodreads score)
- Outlander (4.25 Goodreads score)
Awards
Diana Gabaldon received the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award for Best Romance for Outlander in 1991. She also won the Quill Award for Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror for A Breath of Snow and Ashes in 2006. In 2022, she received the NTSUSA’s 2022 Great Scot Award.
Upcoming Releases
Book Summaries
Virgins
"Virgins" is a historical fiction novel set in 1740. The story follows young Jamie Fraser and his best friend Ian Murray as they find themselves in France, running with a group of mercenaries. Both Jamie and Ian have their own reasons for avoiding their homeland, and despite their efforts, they are still inexperienced in matters of love. When they are hired to escort a Jewish doctor's granddaughter to Paris, they are immediately attracted to the young woman. Little do they know, their lives and friendships are about to become much more complex and perilous.
Outlander
"Outlander" is a story set in 1946. Claire Randall and her husband Frank decide to take a trip to the Scottish Highlands to rekindle their love. However, everything changes when Claire mysteriously travels back in time to 1743. In this unfamiliar world, she encounters her husband's ancestor, a British army officer named Black Jack Randall. Claire's journey takes a dangerous turn when she falls into the hands of Scottish outlaws and becomes a target for both Jacobites and Redcoats. Amidst the chaos, she finds solace in the arms of Jamie Fraser, a brave Scottish warrior. As Claire navigates her way through two different lives, she must choose between the two men who have captured her heart.
Dragonfly in Amber
In "Dragonfly in Amber" Claire Randall returns to Scotland with her daughter after keeping secrets for twenty years. She plans to reveal a stunning truth about an ancient circle of stones, a timeless love, and a brave warrior named James Fraser. As their journey unfolds, they face bloodshed, desire, and danger in the court of Charles Edward Stuart. They must race against time to stop an uprising and protect their loved ones.
A Fugitive Green
"A Fugitive Green" is a story about Minnie Rennie and her father, who run a family business dealing in rare books and letters. However, they also engage in illegal activities such as forgery, blackmail, and burglary. Minnie's journey from Paris to London takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a secret mission to find her long-lost mother. Along the way, she meets Harold Grey, Earl of Melton, who is an outcast from society and burdened by personal troubles. Despite their differences, Minnie and Hal are drawn to each other. When Minnie is asked to steal incriminating letters, she must decide where her loyalties lie.
Voyager
In the book "Voyager" Jamie Fraser finds himself wounded on the battlefield of Culloden. He faces the possibility of execution or imprisonment, but what hurts him the most is the loss of his wife. However, forever may not be as long as he thought. In 1968, Claire Fraser discovers that Jamie did not die in battle and sets out to find him with the help of their daughter.
Drums of Autumn
In "Drums of Autumn" a woman named Claire Randall travels across time and space to find her father, lover, and destiny. After being transported to the past and falling in love with James Fraser, Claire returns to the present to have their child. Years later, Claire's daughter Brianna discovers a shocking secret that leads her to travel back in time to find her parents. In her quest to change history and save their lives, Brianna faces dangerous challenges and a heartbreaking encounter that could leave her stranded in the past or bring her to where she truly belongs.
The Fiery Cross
"The Fiery Cross" is set in 1771 in the Colony of North Carolina. The story revolves around Jamie Fraser, a man of honor, who finds himself caught between the wealthy colonial aristocracy and the struggling pioneers of the backcountry. Jamie, along with his remarkable wife Claire, who is displaced in time, finally acquires the land they have longed for. Claire possesses the gift of knowing the future, which has both saved and endangered them in the past. Now, this knowledge could either guide them through the challenging years ahead or lead to their downfall.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
"A Breath of Snow and Ashes" is set in 1772 in the Royal Colony of North Carolina. The governor asks Jamie Fraser to bring together the people in the backcountry to protect the colony for the King. However, Jamie's wife, Claire, and their daughter and son-in-law are time-travelers who know that in three years, the American Revolution will begin. Jamie hopes that his family's predictions about the future are incorrect, but only time will reveal the truth.
An Echo in the Bone
In "An Echo in the Bone" set in 1777 North Carolina, Jamie Fraser and his wife Claire must make a decision about which side to support in the American rebellion. Despite Claire's knowledge of the future, the choice becomes complicated when their family becomes entangled in the war. As father and son find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict and an old enemy threatens their future, Claire and Jamie's love is put to the ultimate test. Will they be able to survive the chaos of war and the divisions tearing families apart?
The Space Between
"The Space Between" is a story about Joan MacKimmie, a young woman who is haunted by mysterious voices and visions of impending death. Seeking solace, she decides to become a nun and travels to Paris with her chaperone, Michael Murray. Despite still grieving the loss of his wife, Michael feels a strong connection to Joan. However, their peaceful journey is disrupted when the time-traveling Comte St. Germain discovers Joan's presence and her connection to Claire Fraser. Michael finds himself caught in a battle to protect Joan's life and soul, as she has unknowingly captured his heart.
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood
In "Written in My Own Heart's Blood" it is June 1778 and the world is in chaos. The British Army is retreating from Philadelphia, and it seems like the rebels might finally win. However, for Claire Fraser and her family, there are even more upheavals to deal with. Her former husband, Jamie, has returned from the dead and is shocked to find out she married his best friend, Lord John Grey. Lord John's son is also surprised to learn that Jamie is his real father. Meanwhile, Claire's nephew Ian is attracted to the woman who just agreed to marry him. In the 20th century, Claire's descendants face their own challenges. Her daughter Brianna is trying to protect her son from a dangerous criminal, and her husband Roger has disappeared into the past.
A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows
"A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" is a novella that tells the untold story of Roger MacKenzie Wakefield's parents. Set during World War II, Roger believed his mother died in the London Blitz and his father, an RAF pilot, died in combat.
Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone
"Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone" is a historical fiction novel set during the American Revolution. The story follows the reunion of Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall, who were separated for twenty years due to the Jacobite Rising. Now, in 1779, they are finally reunited with their daughter, Brianna, and her family on Fraser's Ridge. However, the war's tensions are felt even in the North Carolina backcountry, and Jamie must navigate the divided loyalties of his tenants. As the Revolution draws closer to their doorstep, Claire, a physician, worries about the safety of her loved ones and how much bloodshed they will endure. This book also explores the journeys of young William Ransom and Lord John Grey as they face their own challenges and reconciliations.
Lord John and the Hellfire Club (part of Seven Stones to Stand or Fall)
Lord John and the Hellfire Club is a book and is part of the Lord John Grey series, which is a spin-off of the Outlander series. Set during the same time period as Voyager, the story follows Lord John Grey as he investigates the death of a red-haired man in 18th-century London. Along the way, he becomes entangled in the scandalous activities of Sir Francis Dashwood and his infamous Hellfire Club.
Lord John and the Private Matter
In "Lord John and the Private Matter" readers are transported to eighteenth-century London, a bustling city filled with soldiers, spies, nobility, and commoners. The story follows Major Lord John Grey, a high-ranking officer in the British Army, as he navigates the complexities of his world. When Grey witnesses a shocking event, he is appointed by the Crown to investigate the murder of a fellow soldier who may have been a traitor. As Grey delves deeper into the case, he becomes entangled in a web of treachery and betrayal that spans all levels of society. From the seedy underbelly of London's night-world to the elegant drawing rooms of the nobility, Grey follows leads that may lead to the truth or nowhere at all. Set against the backdrop of the Seven Years War, this historical mystery brings the early days of the conflict to vivid life.
Lord John and the Succubus
In "Lord John and the Succubus" Major Lord John Grey is assigned to the Imperial Fifth Regiment of Hanoverian Foot during the Seven Years' War. While in the town of Gundwitz, he becomes involved in investigating a series of mysterious deaths among the German and English soldiers. Despite local rumors of a succubus being responsible, Grey relies on logic and reason to uncover the truth behind the deaths of an English private and a Hanoverian soldier. Along the way, he also looks into the involvement of the gypsy population and a local saint named Orgevald. Grey must navigate his complicated relationship with Stephan von Namtzen and deal with the unwanted attention of a Prussian princess.
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade is a gripping historical mystery. Lord John's father, the Duke of Pardloe, died under suspicious circumstances, tarnishing the family's reputation. Now, secrets from the past are resurfacing, and Lord John believes someone is deliberately tormenting his family. He seeks help from James Fraser, a Scottish Jacobite, but their alliance becomes complicated by war, a forbidden romance, and Fraser's own hidden truths. As the pieces of a puzzling mystery come together, Lord John must make a life-threatening decision to protect his family's honor.
Lord John and the Haunted Soldier
In "Lord John and the Haunted Soldier" the story takes place in November 1758. It follows the events of a previous book called "Brotherhood of the Blade." The surviving members of a gun crew are brought before a board of inquiry, which includes Lord John Grey.
The Custom of the Army
"The Custom of the Army" is set in London in 1759. Lord John Grey, after being involved in a disastrous duel at a high society party, decides to lay low for a while. Just as he is about to start his new commission in the army, Lord John receives an urgent summons from an old military friend, Charlie Carruthers. Charlie is facing a court-martial in Canada and asks Lord John to be his character witness. Lord John travels to the New World, a land filled with both hostile natives and internal conflicts, where he must not only defend his friend's life but also his own.
The Scottish Prisoner
"The Scottish Prisoner" is set in London in 1760. The story follows Jamie Fraser, a former prisoner-of-war who is trying to rebuild his life. However, his peaceful existence is disrupted when he starts having dreams about his lost wife and encounters an old comrade who is still involved in the Irish fight for independence. Despite his vow to stay away from politics and war, Jamie is forced to join forces with Lord John Grey, who has important documents exposing corruption within the British army. As they travel to Ireland, they uncover dark secrets hidden in the country's castles and bogs.
A Plague of Zombies
"A Plague of Zombies" is an exciting historical fiction novel featuring Lord John Grey, a lieutenant-colonel in the army. Lord John is sent to Jamaica to suppress a slave rebellion, but soon discovers a more terrifying threat. The governor of the island is being haunted by zombies, which Lord John knows little about but realizes it is not a good sign. As he faces murder and burning plantations, Lord John must rely on his wit and luck to prevent the island from descending into chaos.
Besieged
In the book "Besieged" Lord John Grey is excited to be finishing his term as military governor of Jamaica and returning to North Carolina for some much-desired comfort food. However, his plans are disrupted when his mother's third husband, General Stanley, informs him that his mother is in Havana taking care of his cousin Olivia. Worried about the impending British Navy siege on Havana, Lord John agrees to help get his mother out of the city. With the assistance of his loyal valet, Tom Bird, a recovering ex-zombie named Rodrigo, and Rodrigo's resourceful and courageous wife, Azeel, Lord John sets sail for Havana. Upon arrival, they discover that not only is his family in danger, but there are also slave revolts, murder, an ongoing invasion, stubborn mules, and adulterous love complicating matters.
