Photo of Mary Stewart
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Mary Stewart

1 series 17 books in order 12 standalone books

Mary Florence Elinor Rainbow was born on 12 September 1916 in Sunderland, England. She studied at Durham University, where she later became a lecturer in English Language and Literature. She received an honorary D.Litt from Durham University in 2009. She married Sir Frederick Stewart in 1945; he was a former chairman of the Geology Department at Edinburgh University and died in 2001. Lady Mary Stewart was the author of twenty novels, a volume of poetry, and three books for young readers. She was known for her romantic suspense stories and historical novels. Her most acclaimed work was the Merlin Trilogy, an Arthurian saga consisting of The Crystal Cave (1970), The Hollow Hills (1973), and The Last Enchantment (1979). The first book in the trilogy was adapted into a children’s television series in 1991. She lived in Scotland and died on 9 May 2014.

Born
1916
Known for
Arthurian Saga

Where to start with Mary Stewart

Begin with The Crystal Cave, the first book in the Merlin Trilogy, which launches the Arthurian Saga. This novel offers a foundational narrative within the series, presenting a reimagined origin of Merlin from a young boy’s perspective. Proceed in publication order through the trilogy: The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment. After completing the trilogy, continue with the remaining books in the Arthurian Saga: The Wicked Day, which serves as the final installment in the sequence. All standalone novels are distinct from the series and may be read at any time. The standalone works include Nine Coaches Waiting, The Moon-Spinners, My Brother Michael, and Airs Above the Ground, among others. Each stands independently and reflects Mary Stewart’s signature blend of romance, suspense, and historical setting.

Series by Mary Stewart

Arthurian Saga

5 books in order · 1970–1995

  1. Cover of The Crystal Cave

    The Crystal Cave

    1970 · Mary Stewart

    A 1970 fantasy novel by Mary Stewart. Set in fifth-century Britain, a country of chaos after the Roman withdrawal, Myridden Emrys, later known as…

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  2. Cover of The Hollow Hills

    The Hollow Hills

    1973 · Mary Stewart

    A 1973 novel by Mary Stewart set in the Dark Ages. Merlin Ambrosius watches over the young Arthur Pendragon while haunted by dreams of the magical…

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  3. Cover of The Last Enchantment

    The Last Enchantment

    1979 · Mary Stewart

    A 1979 novel by Mary Stewart. It follows Merlin through adventure, enchantment, and wonder as he spurs Arthur and his knights toward building Camelot…

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  4. Cover of The Wicked Day

    The Wicked Day

    1983 · Mary Stewart

    In Mary Stewart's 1983 novel, Mordred, Arthur's bastard son, attempts to resist the prophecy of doom foretold by Merlin. However, his efforts are…

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  5. Cover of The Prince and the Pilgrim

    The Prince and the Pilgrim

    1995 · Mary Stewart

    Prince Alexander is spirited away as an infant to escape the jealous rage of his uncle, the King of Cornwall, who murdered Alexander's father, in…

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Standalone books

  1. Cover of Rose Cottage
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  2. Cover of Stormy Petrel
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  3. Cover of Touch Not the Cat
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  4. Cover of The Gabriel Hounds
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  5. Cover of Airs Above the Ground
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  6. Cover of The Moon-Spinners
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  7. Cover of The Ivy Tree
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  8. Cover of My Brother Michael
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  9. Cover of Nine Coaches Waiting
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  10. Cover of Thunder on the Right
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  11. Cover of Wildfire at Midnight
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  12. Cover of Madam, Will You Talk?
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Frequently asked questions

How many books has Mary Stewart written?

We list 17 books by Mary Stewart across 1 series, published between 1954–1995 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Mary Stewart's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “The Crystal Cave.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Mary Stewart's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.