Shirley Tallman books

Shirley Tallman is an American author of historical mystery and romance novels, best known for the Sarah Woolson series set in 1880s San Francisco.

Sarah Woolson Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Murder on Nob Hill 2004 Buy
The Russian Hill Murders 2005 Buy
The Cliff House Strangler 2007 Buy
Scandal on Rincon Hill 2010 Buy
Death on Telegraph Hill 2012 Buy

Standalone Novels

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Time for Tomorrow 1983 Buy
Flower of the Orient 1983 Buy
Fragrant Harbor 1984 Buy
Tide’s End 1984 Buy
Odds Against 1984 Buy
Second Harvest 1984 Buy
Roses for Remembering 1985 Buy
Willing Spirit 1986 Buy
Carnival Madness 1987 Buy

Shirley Tallman’s writing career spans two distinct phases. Her early work in the 1980s produced nine romance novels, from Time for Tomorrow (1983) through Carnival Madness (1987), published under the conventions of that era’s romance market.

Her second act began with the Sarah Woolson mysteries, five historical crime novels set in 1880s San Francisco. Published between 2004 and 2012, the Woolson series followed one of the city’s first female lawyers through cases that drew on the color and danger of Gold Rush-era San Francisco.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Shirley Tallman written?

Shirley Tallman has written fourteen books across two series.

What was Shirley Tallman's first book?

Shirley Tallman’s first book is Flower of the Orient, published in 1983.

What is Shirley Tallman best known for?

Tallman is best known for the Sarah Woolson mystery series, five historical mysteries set in 1880s San Francisco following one of the city’s first female attorneys. She also wrote nine romance novels in the 1980s.

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