Below is the complete list of Diana Gabaldon books in publication order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Outlander Books in Order
- Outlander / Cross Stitch (1991)
Outlander / Cross Stitch was published in 1991 and is listed as book #1 in the Outlander series. - Dragonfly in Amber (1992)
Published in 1992, Dragonfly in Amber is listed as book #2 in the Outlander series. - Voyager (1993)
Voyager is a 1993 release and appears as book #3 in the Outlander series. - Drums of Autumn (1996)
In the Outlander series, Drums of Autumn is book #4 and was published in 1996. - The Fiery Cross (2001)
The Fiery Cross was first published in 2001; within the Outlander series, it is listed as book #5. - A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005)
A Breath of Snow and Ashes was published in 2005 and is listed as book #6 in the Outlander series. - An Echo in the Bone (2009)
Published in 2009, An Echo in the Bone is listed as book #7 in the Outlander series. - Written in My Own Heart’s Blood (2014)
Written in My Own Heart's Blood is a 2014 release and appears as book #8 in the Outlander series. - Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone (2021)
In the Outlander series, Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone is book #9 and was published in 2021.
Outlander Short Stories Books in Order
- The Custom of the Army (2010)
The Custom of the Army was published in 2010 and is listed as book #1 in the Outlander Short Stories series. - A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows (2012)
Published in 2012, A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows is listed as book #2 in the Outlander Short Stories series. - A Plague of Zombies (2013)
A Plague of Zombies is a 2013 release and appears as book #3 in the Outlander Short Stories series. - Virgins (2013)
In the Outlander Short Stories series, Virgins is book #4 and was published in 2013. - The Space Between (2014)
The Space Between was first published in 2014; within the Outlander Short Stories series, it is listed as book #5. - Past Prologue (2019)
(With Steve Berry)
Past Prologue was published in 2019 and is listed as book #6 in the Outlander Short Stories series. - A Fugitive Green (2022)
Published in 2022, A Fugitive Green is listed as book #7 in the Outlander Short Stories series. - Besieged (2022)
Besieged is a 2022 release and appears as book #8 in the Outlander Short Stories series.
Outlander Collections Books in Order
- A Trail of Fire (2012)
A Trail of Fire was published in 2012 and is listed as book #1 in the Outlander Collections series. - Seven Stones to Stand or Fall (2017)
Published in 2017, Seven Stones to Stand or Fall is listed as book #2 in the Outlander Collections series.
Outlander Companion Books in Order
- The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook (2016)
(By Theresa Carle-Sanders)
The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook was published in 2016 and is listed as book #1 in the Outlander Companion series. - To the New World and Back Again (2020)
(With Theresa Carle-Sanders)
Published in 2020, To the New World and Back Again is listed as book #2 in the Outlander Companion series.
Lord John Grey Books in Order
- Lord John and the Private Matter (2003)
Lord John and the Private Matter was published in 2003 and is listed as book #1 in the Lord John Grey series. - Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (2007)
Published in 2007, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade is listed as book #2 in the Lord John Grey series. - Lord John and the Hand of Devils (2008)
Lord John and the Hand of Devils is a 2008 release and appears as book #3 in the Lord John Grey series. - The Scottish Prisoner (2011)
In the Lord John Grey series, The Scottish Prisoner is book #4 and was published in 2011.
Lord John Short Stories Books in Order
- Lord John and the Hell-Fire Club (1998)
Lord John and the Hell-Fire Club was published in 1998 and is listed as book #1 in the Lord John Short Stories series. - Lord John and the Succubus (2008)
Published in 2008, Lord John and the Succubus is listed as book #2 in the Lord John Short Stories series. - Lord John and the Haunted Soldier (2008)
Lord John and the Haunted Soldier is a 2008 release and appears as book #3 in the Lord John Short Stories series. - A Plague of Zombies (2013)
In the Lord John Short Stories series, A Plague of Zombies is book #4 and was published in 2013.
Outlander Graphic Novels Books in Order
- The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel (2010)
The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel was published in 2010 and is listed as book #1 in the Outlander Graphic Novels series.
Outlander Non-Fiction Books in Order
- The Outlandish Companion (1999)
The Outlandish Companion was published in 1999 and is listed as book #1 in the Outlander Non-Fiction series. - The Outlandish Companion Volume Two (2015)
Published in 2015, The Outlandish Companion Volume Two is listed as book #2 in the Outlander Non-Fiction series. - The Official Outlander Coloring Book: An Adult Coloring Book (2015)
The Official Outlander Coloring Book: An Adult Coloring Book is a 2015 release and appears as book #3 in the Outlander Non-Fiction series.
Non-Fiction Books in Order
- “I Give You My Body…”: How I Write Sex Scenes (2016)
"I Give You My Body…": How I Write Sex Scenes was published in 2016 and is listed as book #1 in the Non-Fiction series.
Legends Books in Order
- Legends II: Dragon, Sword, and King (1998)
(With George R.R. Martin, Orson Scott Card, Terry Brooks, Robert Silverberg, Neil Gaiman, Elizabeth Haydon)
Legends II: Dragon, Sword, and King was published in 1998 and is listed as book #1 in the Legends series.
The MatchUp Collection Books in Order
- Past Prologue (2019)
(With Steve Berry)
Past Prologue was published in 2019 and is listed as book #1 in the The MatchUp Collection series.
Akashic Noir Books in Order
- Phoenix Noir (2009)
Phoenix Noir was published in 2009 and is listed as book #1 in the Akashic Noir series.
About Diana Gabaldon
Diana Gabaldon is an American author best known for writing the internationally acclaimed Outlander series, with Outlander alone selling more than 25 million copies worldwide. Her novels blend historical fiction, romance, adventure, and elements of fantasy, creating a unique storytelling style that has attracted millions of readers worldwide. The sweeping narrative scope of her work, combined with meticulous historical research, helped establish the Outlander books as one of the most recognizable historical fiction series of the modern era.
Gabaldon was born in Williams, Arizona, in 1952. Her academic background initially pointed toward a scientific career rather than literature. She earned a degree in zoology from Northern Arizona University before completing a master’s degree in marine biology at the University of California, San Diego. She later obtained a PhD in quantitative behavioral ecology. For several years she worked as a university professor and scientific researcher, writing academic papers and textbooks.
Despite this scientific foundation, Gabaldon eventually turned toward fiction almost by accident. In the late 1980s she decided to try writing a novel simply as a personal experiment to learn how the process worked. She did not initially plan to publish the book, but the story quickly expanded into something much larger.
The result was Outlander, published in 1991. The novel introduced readers to Claire Randall, a former combat nurse who is mysteriously transported from the mid-20th century to eighteenth-century Scotland. There she encounters Highland warrior Jamie Fraser, and their relationship becomes the emotional center of the series. The story moves through a complex historical backdrop that includes the Jacobite uprisings, colonial America, and later periods of European and American history.
Reading Diana Gabaldon’s books in publication order highlights how the Outlander series gradually expands in scale and historical scope. What begins as a story centered on Claire’s unexpected journey through time evolves into a multi-generational saga involving family, political upheaval, and survival across centuries.
One of Gabaldon’s most distinctive strengths is her ability to weave together multiple genres without allowing any single element to dominate. The novels contain detailed historical settings, romantic relationships, political intrigue, and moments of suspense or adventure. This layered storytelling allows the series to appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction as well as those drawn to romance or fantasy.
Gabaldon’s academic background also shaped the depth of research found in her novels. The books are known for their careful depiction of historical details, from eighteenth-century medicine and military life to cultural traditions in Scotland and early America. Rather than serving as simple background information, these details often influence the characters’ choices and the direction of the plot.
As the series progressed, Gabaldon expanded the Outlander universe with companion works, novellas, and spin-off stories focusing on secondary characters. These additions help enrich the broader narrative world while providing additional perspectives on events surrounding the main storyline.
The global popularity of the books eventually led to the television adaptation Outlander, which premiered in 2014. The series brought Claire and Jamie Fraser to an even larger international audience, further increasing interest in Gabaldon’s novels.
Beyond the Outlander books themselves, Gabaldon has remained actively involved with readers through conventions, interviews, and online discussions. Her engagement with fans, combined with the depth and emotional intensity of her storytelling, has helped maintain the enduring popularity of the series over several decades.
Following Diana Gabaldon’s books in publication order reveals how her storytelling evolved from a single experimental novel into a richly developed historical saga. Through a combination of careful research, complex characters, and sweeping historical narratives, she created a literary world that continues to captivate readers around the globe.