Order of Maeve Binchy Books
Maeve Binchy (1940-2012) was an Irish author who wrote about small-town life in Ireland with a humourous slant. Her novels often contained surprise endings. Her success as a novelist caused her to become one of Ireland’s richest women. Binchy passed away in 2012 after a short illness.
Maeve Binchy started as a writer with the short story collections Central Line and Victoria Line. She then followed it up with Light a Penny Candle in 1982. It sold for £52,000, which helped her out when she was behind on her mortgage. Below is a list of Maeve Binchy’s books in order of when they were originally released:
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Light a Penny Candle | (1982) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The Lilac Bus | (1984) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Echoes | (1985) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Firefly Summer | (1987) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Silver Wedding | (1988) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Circle of Friends | (1990) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The Copper Beech | (1992) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The Glass Lake | (1994) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Shancarrig | (1995) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Evening Class | (1996) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Tara Road | (1998) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Scarlet Feather | (2000) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Quentins | (2002) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Nights of Rain and Stars | (2004) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Whitethorn Woods | (2006) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Heart and Soul | (2008) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Minding Frankie | (2010) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| A Week in Winter | (2012) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Sister Caravaggio | (2014) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
| The Builders | (2002) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Star Sullivan | (2006) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| A Week in Summer | (2011) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Full House | (2012) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Dusty's Winter | (2016) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The September Letters | (2016) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Fairytales for Feminists Books
| Sweeping Beauties | (1989) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com | ||
| Cinderella on the Ball | (1991) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com | ||
| Ride on Rapunzel | (1994) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com | ||
+ Show All Books in this Series | ||||
Publication Order of Plays
| Deeply Regretted By | (2006) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Half Promised Land | (2009) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| End of Term | (2010) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Collections
| Central Line | (1978) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Victoria Line / London Transports | (1980) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Dublin Four | (1981) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Story Teller | (1990) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Dublin People | (1993) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| This Year It Will Be Different and Other Stories | (1995) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Cross Lines | (1996) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The Return Journey | (1998) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Maeve's Times | (2013) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Chestnut Street | (2014) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| A Few of the Girls | (2015) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Maeve Binchy’s Treasury | (2021) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
| Maeve's Diary | (1979) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Dear Maeve | (1995) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Aches & Pains | (1999) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| A Time to Dance | (2006) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club | (2008) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Anthologies
Notes: London Transports was also published as Victoria Line, Central Line. Sister Caravaggio was edited by Peter Cunningham and contained contributions by Binchy, Mary O’Donnell, Neil Donnelly, Cormac Millar and Peter Sheridan.
If You Like Maeve Binchy Books, You’ll Love…
Maeve Binchy Synopses: Whitehorn Woods by Maeve Binchy is a standalone title. When a new road threatens to cut through Whitethorn Woods, everyone has a passionate opinion about whether the town will benefit or suffer. Everything in the small Irish town of Rossmore is changing.
St. Ann’s Well’s fate is at the center of the conflict. For many years, people have come to St. Ann’s to talk about their hopes and fears. Some people consider it to be a location of genuine spiritual power that requires protection; Others believe it is merely a magnet for superstitions that can be easily sacrificed.
The outcomes are not as anticipated when a childless London woman comes to Whitethorn Woods and begs the saint for assistance, and when one man is offered compensation for his land but has a personal reason to save the well.
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy is a tale about the patients, staff, and friends of a heart clinic in a community caught between the old and new Ireland.
Dr. Clara Casey accepts the difficult task of establishing the inadequately funded clinic for a year. She already has a lot on her plate, including two difficult adult daughters and the unwelcome attentions of her ex-husband. However, she has assembled a wonderfully diverse staff that is dedicated to assisting their demanding, frequently challenging patients.
Soon after, the clinic becomes an essential part of the community, and Clara must decide whether to leave a place where bravery is rewarded, lives are saved, and humor and optimism prevail over self-pity and greed.
Minding Frankie is a standalone novel by Maeve Binchy. When Noel discovers that his ex-girlfriend, who is terminally ill, is expecting his child, he agrees to become her guardian once she is born. But Noel can’t do it on his own as a single father who is also fighting his own demons.
He is fortunate to have a supportive and capable circle of friends, family, and neighbors: Lisa, a classmate who has been unlucky in love, moves in with him to help him care for Frankie around the clock; his American cousin Emily, who was always there to give him a boost; the recently retired Dr. Hat, who has more free time than he can use; Frankie’s first friend, Dr. Declan and Fiona, and their infant son; and a slew of eager babysitters, including Signora, Aidan, and Frankie’s devoted grandparents, Josie and Charles, who are also old friends.
However, the unconventional arrangement does not please everyone, especially Moira, a nosy social worker who is convinced that Frankie would do better in a foster home. Now, it is up to Noel to convince her that Frankie’s care can be taken care of by anyone in the town.
Her books are like being wrapped in a warm fuzzy.
I love Maeve Binchy! Can anyone tell me in which book Tom Feather and Cathy Scarlett get together. Scarlett Feather ended with them holding hands.
Book is called Scarlett Feather and is excellent. You will adore Simon and Maude.
I have every one of Maeve’s stand alone novels. I loved every one of them and intend to read them all again. So sorry she is gone from us. Some suggestion was made to read Debbie Macomber and I will add Sherryl Woods and Jan Karon’s books to the list. You will enjoy them also.
OMG! I envy you just discovering this wonderful writer and her books. Start at the top of her list and work your way down. You are in for hours and hours of fun, joy and relaxation. I reread them from time to time, that is how much I love them. If you love Ms. Binchy’s books be sure to check out Rosamund Pilcher’s as well if you haven’t already.
Lily I will try to read Maeve in order. I did read Tara Road and Quentins, though. I have Firefly Summer in paperback. Print is too small. I will have to go over my list and visit the library.
Her books are well worth re-reading.
That’s how most all her books are. You wish they would never end. Her characters become so familiar and you want to stay with them.
Yes, I do like her characters, Glitzy!
I am currently reading “Minding Frankie” by Maeve Binchy. The only book I’ve read so far by Ms. Binchy. It is one of those books that you hate to put down, or hate it to end.
I hit the wrong thing! I meant to reply to you, instead I joined the discussion. I just love Maeve Binchy’s books too. Start at the top and read each and every marvelous one. And when you are done reread them every so often like I do. It’s like visiting with an old and dear friend. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Rosamund Pilcher’s works as well. Same lovely writing style.
Lily I will check on Ms. Pilcher! Thank you.