The Blackthorn Key Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| The Blackthorn Key | 2015 | Buy |
| Mark of the Plague | 2016 | Buy |
| Znamení moru | 2016 | N/A |
| The Assassin’s Curse | 2017 | Buy |
| Call of the Wraith | 2018 | Buy |
| The Traitor’s Blade | 2021 | Buy |
| The Raven’s Revenge | 2023 | Buy |
Thieves of Shadow Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Children of the Fox | 2021 | Buy |
| Seekers of the Fox | 2022 | Buy |
| Champions of the Fox | 2023 | Buy |
Kevin Sands writes middle-grade adventure novels that combine puzzles, history, and fast-paced action. His first series, The Blackthorn Key, launched in 2015 and grew to six English-language books (plus a Czech translation) set in 1660s London. The protagonist, Christopher Rowe, is an apothecary’s apprentice who uses codes, chemistry, and his master’s teachings to solve mysteries and survive deadly conspiracies.
Sands followed The Blackthorn Key with the Thieves of Shadow trilogy (2021-2023), a fantasy heist series about a group of young criminals recruited for a dangerous job. Both series have been praised for their clever plotting and appeal to readers who enjoy puzzles and adventure.