19 Outlander Books in Order: The Best Guide to Diana Gabaldon (+PDF)

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #1)

How do we love Outlander? We cannot count the ways. There is a reason this is one of my favorite books of all time.

This epic story begins in 1945 when Claire Randall and her husband take a second honeymoon to the Scottish Highlands to celebrate being reunited after the war. When Claire touches one of the standing stones, she is transported to 1743.

This is when the real story begins. In order to stay safe as an English woman in Scotland, she must depend on Jamie Frasier for protection. This book is definitely at the top of our list of best romance novels of all time but you will love it equally if you love historical fiction, magical realism, romance, or witches. This is one of the iconic and epic time travel romance books that has it all and is perfect for a list of books like A Discovery of Witches. It was easy to include this on the best fantasy books for adults as well.

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #2)

The second book in the Outlander series starts 20 years in the future with Claire and her Daughter Brianna on vacation in Scotland together. This is where we are first introduced to Roger Wakefield, we do not know how Claire returned to her time or when.

Then the story returns back to Paris is 1744. Here, Claire and Jamie develop relationships with people in the court of King Louis the XV including Charles Stuart. This story takes us all the way to the Battle of Culloden, where Claire assumes Jamie died while she returns to Craig na Dun to return to her time. She is pregnant with Brianna.

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #3)

If you are reading the Outlander series in order (as we strongly suggest you do), then you will not want to miss the EPIC third book. This might be my favorite book in the series, other than the first book.

In 1968, With the help of Brianna and Roger Wakefield, Claire discovers that Jamie Frasier may not have died in the battle of Culloden. Even though Claire is torn between her love for Brianna, she finally takes herself back to 1746 to try and find Jamie.

The remainder of the third book in the Outlander series takes place during Claire and Jamie’s trip from Scotland to the Caribbean!! I was fascinated by the detailed descriptions of the treacheries of life at sea during the 1700s.

If you are looking for the inside scoop on what travel was really like back then, this sailing novel is for you. But it also gives an unflinching look at the harsh realities of sugar plantations during this time.

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #4)

I mean…does it get any better than Jamie Fraser? I think not. The fourth book in the Outlander series, sees our main characters making a new life for themselves as Scottish immigrants in a pre-Revoluntary War America in the colony of North Carolina.

We see them try to fit in and our country’s unfortunate history with the Native American people. Back in the 20th Century, Brianna is not more curious than ever about the father she has never met.

When she discovers information that threatens both Jamie’s and Claire’s lives, she sets out to travel back in time to save her mother. Roger Wakefield, who has been helping Bree gather information decides to follow after her.

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #5)

The Drums of Autumn is the fifth book in the Outlander series. Here, Claire and Jamie are living on Frasier’s Ridge in North Carolina. They prepare for the wedding of Bree and Rodger MacKenzie, and the Baptism of their son Jem. Soon, they receive a letter from the governor telling them to form a militia.
This book is jam-packed with side stories and new characters but the highlights include Jocasta’s wedding to Duncan, the reappearance of Stephan Bonnet, and the development of the character of Young Ian. You do not want to miss this next book if you are reading the Outlander series in order.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #6)

Breath of Snow and Ashes picks up right where we ended off in Fiery Cross. Claire and Jamie are still located on Fraser’s Ridge where Clare is making a name for herself as a healer…not always in a good way.  Suspicions of witchcraft are following Clare once more. 

Jamie is torn between loyalty to the British and the hope for an independent America. Roger, Brianna, and Claire all know how the war turns out!

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #7)

So much happened in this 7th book from the Outlander series. With the American Revolution looming on the horizon, Brianna, Roger, Jem, and Mandy are safe in the 20th century at Lallybrach. There, they are reading letters written by Claire. They are trying to determine the fate of their family in the war.

In the past, Claire and Jamie make a plan to return to Scotland to see Jenny, Ian, and their children. When they arrive, they once again meet Laoghaire and finally reach an agreement with her.  There are so many twists and turns in this installment of the Outlander series, I do not want to spoil it but, you will not want to miss the ending of this one.

Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #8)

We are now in 1778 when France declares war on Great Britain who are then formed to leave Philadelphia with George Washington in pursuit of victory. When Jamie returns home after being presumed dead in a shipwreck, he finds that Clare has married Lord John Grey! William has also discovered that he is Jamie’s illegitimate son and Young Ian wants to marry a Quaker Girl.

In this book, Lord John Grey is captured, Jamie joins Washington’s army and there is the Battle of Monmouth.  Once again, the ending of this book will leave you in shock and wanting to dive right into the next book in the Outlander series.

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #9)

This is currently the last book in the Outlander series.  If you are reading the Outlander series in order, you may want to savor this one because the next, and last, book in the series will not be out for a few more years.  It currently does not even have a name.

Claire and Jamie have finally been reunited with their children and grandchildren on Frasier’s Ridge but that does not mean that there isn’t tension and turmoil in North Carolina. The American Revolution is coming closer to Fraser’s Ridge and Claire and Jamie have everything to lose. 

Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John Series #1)

The very first Outlander spinoff novel that Diana Gabaldon wrote is about Lord John Grey. It takes place in 1757 when Lord John witnesses something shocking. As he attempts to avoid a ruinous scandal, The Crown asks him to investigate the murder of a traitor.

Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John Series #2)

Diana Gabaldon has done it again with this story of Lord John Grey. Secrets from Lord John’s past could have horrible consequences for John and his entire family. Seventeen years ago, Lord John’s father was accused of being a Jacobite leaving a stain on his family’s reputation, Now, the past is coming back to haunt him and the only one he can trust is James Fraser.

If you are reading the Outlander books in order, will you be able to figure out where this story fits in the timeline?

Lord John and The Hand of Devils by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John Series #3)

This novel-length book is actually a collection of three novellas. The included ones are “Lord John and the Hell-Fire Club”, “Lord John and the Succubus”, and “Lord John and the Haunted Soldier.”

The Custom of the Army by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John Series #4)

Lord John’s friend, Charlie Carruthers, needs him to serve as a character witness in his court-martial trial. Soon Lord Joh is headed to the New World to save his friend. In Canada, Grey discovers that more than just his friend’s life is at stake.

The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John Series #5)

Set during Jamie’s time after the birth of his son, Lord John Grey comes back in need of Jamie Fraser’s help. Soon Lord John and Jamie are raising along the Irish countryside with evidence for a case of corruption against a British officer.

A Plague of Zombies by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John Series #6)

Lord John Grey heads to Jamaica to stop a slave rebellion, but there are more deadly threats at play. The governor is allegedly being plagued by zombies and Lord John will need to use all his skills to keep Jamaica from erupting into chaos.

The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon

This is a graphic novel told from Murtaugh and Jaime’s perspectives covering the first half of the Outlander book, right up until the point where Claire needs to decide if she will go back through the stones.

It’s fun to see certain scenes from a different perspective, but the ending is what really got me! If you are looking for books like Outlander, this is a must-read.

The Outlandish Companion #1 by Diana Gabaldon

This is one guide that every Outlander fan needs! It’s a complete guide to the first 4 books in the Outlander series, a glossary of Gaelic terms, horoscopes for the main characters, FAQs, and a character guide.

The Outlandish Companion #2 by Diana Gabaldon

Like the original Outlandish companion, this guide is a must-have for keeping track of the books from The Fiery Cross to Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. It also covers the Starz series, the Lord John Grey series, maps, floorplans, details character guides, and so much more!

Seven Stones To Stand or Fall by Diana Gabaldon

This book contains seven short stories set across the entire series. From Jamie’s life in France to the fate of the Comte St. Germain, to the back story of Roger Mackenzie’s parents; this collection fills in so many holes in the series.