Kathryn Hughes Standalone Novels books in order

Complete list of Kathryn Hughes standalone novels in publication order, from The Letter to The Memory Box.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Letter 2013 Kathryn Hughes Buy
2 The Secret 2016 Kathryn Hughes Buy
3 The Key 2018 Kathryn Hughes Buy
4 Her Last Promise 2019 Kathryn Hughes Buy
5 The Memory Box 2021 Kathryn Hughes Buy

Kathryn Hughes writes standalone historical fiction, so each novel tells its own complete story without connections to the others. What ties them together is her signature dual-timeline approach: a present-day discovery leads a character to unravel a mystery rooted in the past.

The Letter kicked things off in 2013 and remains her best-known book. The Secret (2016) and The Key (2018) followed the same formula to strong reader response, and Her Last Promise (2019) and The Memory Box (2021) continued her run of character-driven historical fiction. Readers who enjoy one Hughes novel will likely enjoy them all, since the tone and structure remain consistent across her work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Kathryn Hughes Standalone Novels series?

There are five books in the Kathryn Hughes Standalone Novels series, published between 2013 and 2021.

What is the first book in the Kathryn Hughes Standalone Novels series?

The first book in the Kathryn Hughes Standalone Novels series is The Letter, published in 2013.

Do Kathryn Hughes's books need to be read in order?

No. Each Kathryn Hughes novel is a standalone story with different characters and settings. You can start with any book, though The Letter is her most popular and a common starting point.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive commissions for purchases made through links on this site.

Privacy Policy