London books in order

The London series by Sally Spencer is a pair of historical novels set along the Thames, following families and communities in late-Victorian and early-twentieth-century London.
Series · Historical Fiction · Saga · British Fiction

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Old Father Thames 1995 Sally Spencer Buy
2 South Of The River 1998 Sally Spencer Buy

Sally Spencer’s London series consists of two novels: Old Father Thames (1995) and South Of The River (1998). These are historical fiction rather than crime stories, set in and around the Thames during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Spencer brings the same attention to working-class life that marks her Lancashire crime novels, but here the focus is on families and communities rather than murder investigations.

The books capture the grit and bustle of London at the turn of the twentieth century. Spencer writes about ordinary people caught up in the pressures of poverty, ambition, and changing social expectations. Readers who know her primarily for police procedurals may be surprised by these earlier works, but the sharp eye for period detail and social dynamics is very much the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the London series?

There are two books in the London series, published between 1995 and 1998.

What is the first book in the London series?

The first book in the London series is Old Father Thames, published in 1995.

What period of London history do these books cover?

The London novels are set in the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods, exploring life along the Thames and south of the river. They follow working-class families trying to get by in a city that is growing and changing around them, with Spencer drawing on the same social detail she brings to her Lancashire books.

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