Elizabeth Peters Standalone Novels books in order

Elizabeth Peters' standalone novels include 26 mysteries, gothic thrillers, and romantic suspense titles published between 1968 and 1999, many written under the Barbara Michaels name.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Jackal’s Head 1968 Elizabeth Peters Buy
2 Prince of Darkness 1969 Elizabeth Peters Buy
3 The Dead Sea Cipher 1970 Elizabeth Peters Buy
4 The Dark on the Other Side 1970 Elizabeth Peters Buy
5 The Night of Four Hundred Rabbits 1971 Elizabeth Peters Buy
6 The Crying Child 1971 Elizabeth Peters Buy
7 Greygallows 1972 Elizabeth Peters Buy
8 Witch 1973 Elizabeth Peters Buy
9 House of Many Shadows 1974 Elizabeth Peters Buy
10 The Sea King’s Daughter 1975 Elizabeth Peters Buy
11 Legend in Green Velvet 1976 Elizabeth Peters Buy
12 Devil May Care 1977 Elizabeth Peters Buy
13 Summer of the Dragon 1979 Elizabeth Peters Buy
14 The Walker in Shadows 1979 Elizabeth Peters Buy
15 The Love Talker 1980 Elizabeth Peters Buy
16 The Wizard’s Daughter 1980 Elizabeth Peters Buy
17 The Copenhagen Connection 1982 Elizabeth Peters Buy
18 Here I Stay 1983 Elizabeth Peters Buy
19 The Grey Beginning 1984 Elizabeth Peters Buy
20 Be Buried in the Rain 1985 Elizabeth Peters Buy
21 Smoke and Mirrors 1989 Elizabeth Peters Buy
22 Into the Darkness 1990 Elizabeth Peters Buy
23 Vanish with the Rose 1992 Elizabeth Peters Buy
24 Houses of Stone 1993 Elizabeth Peters Buy
25 The Dancing Floor 1997 Elizabeth Peters Buy
26 Other Worlds 1999 Elizabeth Peters Buy

Elizabeth Peters’ standalone novels span more than three decades and show the range of her writing outside her well-known series. Many of these books were originally published under the Barbara Michaels name and lean toward gothic and romantic suspense, featuring old houses with secrets, supernatural threats, and women in jeopardy. Titles like The Crying Child (1971), House of Many Shadows (1974), and The Walker in Shadows (1979) fit squarely in that tradition, with atmospheric settings and slow-building tension.

Other standalones under the Peters name are lighter and more comedic, closer in spirit to the Vicky Bliss books. Summer of the Dragon (1979) sends a young woman to Arizona to investigate a millionaire’s claims about UFOs. The Copenhagen Connection (1982) is a fast-paced romantic thriller set in Denmark. Legend in Green Velvet (1976) follows an archaeology student caught up in a Scottish conspiracy. Houses of Stone (1993) and The Dancing Floor (1997) came later in her career and are among her most polished standalone works, combining academic settings with genuine suspense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Elizabeth Peters Standalone Novels series?

There are 26 books in the Elizabeth Peters Standalone Novels series, published between 1968 and 1999.

What is the first book in the Elizabeth Peters Standalone Novels series?

The first book in the Elizabeth Peters Standalone Novels series is The Jackal’s Head, published in 1968.

What are the best Elizabeth Peters standalone novels to start with?

The Sea King’s Daughter (1975) and Summer of the Dragon (1979) are popular choices among Peters fans for their humor and adventure. For readers who prefer gothic suspense, The Walker in Shadows (1979) and Houses of Stone (1993) are frequently recommended.

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