If you’re a fan of gripping historical mysteries packed with espionage, intrigue, and meticulously researched details, Rory Clements is an author you need on your radar. This award-winning British writer, a former journalist turned full-time novelist, has crafted thrilling series set in turbulent times—from Elizabethan England to the eve of World War II and beyond. Whether you’re new to his work or a longtime reader looking to revisit, knowing the Rory Clements books in order is key to fully immersing yourself in his interconnected worlds.
Clements has won the Crime Writers’ Association Historical Dagger twice and consistently hits the Sunday Times bestseller lists. His stories blend real historical events with pulse-pounding fiction, making them perfect for readers who love authors like C.J. Sansom, Philippa Gregory, or Robert Harris.
In this guide, we’ll break down all of Rory Clements’ books in order by series, including publication and recommended reading sequences. Let’s dive in!
John Shakespeare Series in Order
The John Shakespeare series is Clements’ debut lineup, featuring the fictional older brother of William Shakespeare as an intelligencer (spy) for Queen Elizabeth I. Set in the dangerous world of 16th-century England, these novels explore religious conflicts, plots against the crown, and political machinations.
While the books can be read standalone, following the publication order provides the best character development. Here’s the complete John Shakespeare series in order:
- Martyr (2009) – John Shakespeare’s first outing, involving a conspiracy tied to Mary Queen of Scots and the threat of Spanish invasion.
- Revenger (2010) – Winner of the CWA Historical Dagger; Shakespeare uncovers betrayal amid the aftermath of war with Spain.
- Prince (2011) – A plot to assassinate the queen escalates as Shakespeare navigates court rivalries.
- Traitor (2012) – Shakespeare investigates a mystery linked to the lost Roanoke colony and rivalries between courtiers.
- The Heretics (2013) – Religious fanaticism and heresy trials threaten England’s stability.
- The Man in the Snow (2012) – A novella set during the events of Traitor; Shakespeare encounters a mysterious body during a winter storm.
- The Queen’s Man (2014) – A prequel exploring Shakespeare’s early career and a plea for help from an old acquaintance.
- Holy Spy (2015) – The series finale, delving into love, betrayal, and a deadly conspiracy in London’s underbelly.
Note: For chronological story order, start with The Queen’s Man, then Holy Spy, followed by the main sequence from Martyr onward.
This series is ideal if you crave Tudor-era drama with a spy-thriller twist!
Tom Wilde Series in Order
After wrapping up John Shakespeare, Clements shifted to the 20th century with the Tom Wilde series. Protagonist Tom Wilde is an American history professor at Cambridge University who gets pulled into espionage as World War II looms and erupts.
These books are tightly connected, so reading in publication order is highly recommended for the overarching plot and character arcs:
- Corpus (2016) – Set in 1936, Wilde uncovers a web of Nazi sympathizers and Soviet spies amid rising European tensions.
- Nucleus (2018) – Winner of the CWA Historical Dagger; Wilde investigates atomic secrets and dark experiments in 1939.
- Nemesis (2019) – As war breaks out, Wilde races across Europe to rescue a child from the Nazis.
- Hitler’s Secret (2020) – A high-stakes mission involving a potential Hitler impostor.
- A Prince and a Spy (2021) – Wilde probes the mysterious death of the Duke of Kent amid wartime secrets.
- The Man in the Bunker (2022) – Explosive revelations about Hitler’s final days.
- The English Führer (2023) – Post-war threats from hidden Nazis in England.
- A Cold Wind from Moscow (2025) – The latest installment, continuing Wilde’s adventures in the Cold War shadows.
This series masterfully captures the paranoia and moral dilemmas of the WWII era—perfect for fans of tense, intelligent spy fiction.
Standalone Novels and Other Works
In recent years, Clements has branched into standalone thrillers, introducing new protagonists while maintaining his signature historical depth:
- Munich Wolf (2024) – A gripping crime novel set in 1930s Munich, following a detective navigating the rise of the Nazis.
- Evil in High Places (2025) – A standalone featuring Munich detective Seb Wolff, delving into corruption and danger in the Third Reich.
These standalones offer fresh entry points if you’re not ready to commit to a full series.
List Of John Shakespeare Series Books
The John Shakespeare series features John Shakespeare, intelligencer to Queen Elizabeth I. Recommended reading order is publication order for best character development (with notes on chronological adjustments).
| # | Title | Publication Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martyr | 2009 | |
| 2 | Revenger | 2010 | CWA Historical Dagger winner |
| 3 | Prince | 2011 | |
| 4 | Traitor | 2012 | |
| – | The Man in the Snow | 2012 | Novella |
| 5 | The Heretics | 2013 | |
| 6 | The Queen’s Man | 2014 | Prequel |
| 7 | Holy Spy | 2015 | Series finale |
Chronological order: The Queen’s Man → Holy Spy → Martyr → Revenger → Prince → Traitor (with The Man in the Snow during Traitor) → The Heretics.
Tom Wilde Series
The Tom Wilde series follows American professor Tom Wilde, involved in espionage around WWII and into the Cold War. Read in publication order.
| # | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corpus | 2016 |
| 2 | Nucleus | 2018 |
| 3 | Nemesis | 2019 |
| 4 | Hitler’s Secret | 2020 |
| 5 | A Prince and a Spy | 2021 |
| 6 | The Man in the Bunker | 2022 |
| 7 | The English Führer | 2023 |
| 8 | A Cold Wind From Moscow | 2025 |
Sebastian Wolff Series
Newer series featuring Munich detective Sebastian Wolff in 1930s Nazi Germany.
| # | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munich Wolf | 2024 |
| 2 | Evil in High Places | 2025 |
Rory Clements’ books blend meticulous historical research with thrilling espionage and mystery. As of December 2025, these are all his published novels—no additional standalones beyond the series listed. Start with any series for standalone-friendly reads, but order matters for ongoing arcs!
Why Read Rory Clements Books in Order?
Starting with the correct sequence enhances the experience: recurring characters evolve, historical events build tension, and subtle callbacks reward dedicated readers. If you’re binge-reading, begin with the John Shakespeare series for that classic Elizabethan vibe, then move to Tom Wilde for a modern (yet historical) shift.
Rory Clements’ novels aren’t just entertaining—they’re thoughtfully researched, bringing forgotten corners of history to vivid life. With over a million copies sold and TV adaptations in the works, now’s the perfect time to discover (or rediscover) his work.
Which series will you start with? Grab Martyr or Corpus today and lose yourself in masterful historical thrillers. Happy reading!
