Jefferson Tayte Genealogical Mystery Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| In the Blood | 2011 | Buy |
| To The Grave | 2012 | Buy |
| The Last Queen of England | 2012 | Buy |
| The Lost Empress | 2014 | Buy |
| Kindred | 2016 | Buy |
| Dying Games | 2017 | Buy |
| Letters from the Dead | 2018 | Buy |
| The Girl in the Painting | 2021 | Buy |
Love Your Church Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Belong | 2023 | Buy |
| Welcome | 2023 | Buy |
| Gather | 2023 | Buy |
| Serve | 2023 | Buy |
Standalone Novels
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| The Penmaker’s Wife | 2019 | Buy |
| The Secret Wife | 2020 | Buy |
Steve Robinson began writing the Jefferson Tayte series after developing an interest in genealogy while researching his first novel. His protagonist is Jefferson Tayte, an American genealogist who travels to England and Europe to investigate family histories that turn out to conceal old crimes and unresolved injustices. The series draws heavily on historical settings and documents, making family history central to the mystery rather than incidental background.
After three self-published books, Robinson signed with Thomas & Mercer, Amazon’s mystery imprint, which published further entries in the series. The Last Queen of England and The Lost Empress show the series’ tendency toward historical sweep, with titles referencing specific historical figures or events whose secrets Tayte must uncover.
Robinson has also published two standalone thrillers — The Penmaker’s Wife and The Secret Wife — and four books on church community life under the Love Your Church series, reflecting a separate strand of his writing life.