J.F. Riordan books

J.F. Riordan is an American author known for the North of the Tension Line series, a set of novels about life on a fictional island in Lake Michigan.

Non-Fiction

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Reflections on a Life in Exile 2019 Buy

North Of The Tension Line Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
North of the Tension Line 2014 Buy
The Audacity of Goats 2016 Buy
Robert’s Rules 2018 Buy
A Small Earnest Question 2020 Buy
Throwing Bears for George 2026 Buy

J.F. Riordan writes about a place most people would never think to set a novel: a small island in Lake Michigan. The North of the Tension Line series, her primary body of work, follows the residents of this fictional community through five books published between 2014 and 2026.

The series combines gentle humor with genuine affection for its characters, capturing the rhythms of island life where everyone knows everyone and small events ripple through the whole community. Riordan has also published a book of non-fiction, Reflections on a Life in Exile, which offers a more personal perspective on place and belonging.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has J.F. Riordan written?

J.F. Riordan has written six books across two series.

What was J.F. Riordan's first book?

J.F. Riordan’s first book is North of the Tension Line, published in 2014.

What is J.F. Riordan known for?

Riordan is known for the North of the Tension Line series, five novels set on a fictional island in Lake Michigan that blend small-town humor with warmhearted storytelling about community life.

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