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In The Garden Trilogy Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Nora Roberts
3 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start In The Garden Trilogy by Nora Roberts with "Blue Dahlia", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Three novels following the romantic relationships of three women working at Harper House, a historic Mississippi home and garden center.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Blue Dahlia"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The overwhelming consensus, especially for first-time readers, is to read Steven Erikson's 10-book 'Malazan Book of the Fallen' straight through (Gardens of the Moon through The Crippled God) before moving on to Ian C. Esslemont's 'Novels of the Malazan Empire' (ICE books). This strategy is recommended to maintain momentum and avoid the 'jarring' experience caused by the differences in the two authors' writing styles. However, there is a significant minority view advocating for reading the books in strict publication order (interweaving) or a calculated interwoven order to maximize plot connections and avoid minor spoilers."

Key Reddit Advice

Read the main 10 Erikson books first (Gardens of the Moon, Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, House of Chains, Midnight Tides, The Bonehunters, Reaper's Gale, Toll the Hounds, Dust of Dreams, The Crippled God). Once complete, read the ICE books (starting with Night of Knives) and then the prequels/novellas.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for In The Garden Trilogy conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for In The Garden Trilogy. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Blue Dahlia" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "In The Garden Trilogy" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "Blue Dahlia"Explore all by Nora Roberts

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order3 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
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1

Blue Dahlia

Pub: 2004

Against the backdrop of a house steeped in history and a thriving new gardening business, three women unearth the memories of the past in the first novel in #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts' In the Garden Trilogy. A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night… Trying to escape the ghosts of the past, young widow Stella Rothchild, along with her two energetic little boys, has moved back to her roots in southern Tennessee. She isn’t intimidated by Harper House—nor by its mistress. Despite a reputation for being difficult, Roz Harper has been nothing but kind to Stella, offering her a comfortable place to live and a challenging new job as manager of the flourishing In the Garden nursery. As Stella settles comfortably into her new life, she finds a nurturing friendship with Roz and expectant mother Hayley and a fierce attraction to ruggedly handsome landscaper Logan Kitridge. He’s difficult but honest, brash but considerate—and undeniably sexy. And for a sensible woman like Stella, he may be just what she needs… Don’t miss the other books in the In the Garden Trilogy Black Rose Red Lily

2

Black Rose

Pub: 2005

Plot details hidden until you finish "Blue Dahlia".

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents the second novel of her In the Garden trilogy, as three women must discover the secrets from the past contained within their historic home… A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night… At forty-seven, Rosalind Harper is a woman whose experiences have made her strong enough to bend without breaking—and to weather any storm. A widow with three grown sons, she survived a disastrous second marriage and built her In the Garden nursery from the ground up. Through the years, In the Garden has become more than just a thriving business—it is a symbol of hope and independence to Roz, and to the two women she shares it with. Newlywed Stella and new mother Hayley are the sisters of her heart, and together, the three of them are the future of In the Garden. Hired to investigate Roz’s Harper ancestors, Dr. Mitchell Carnegie finds himself just as intrigued by Roz herself. And as they begin to resurrect old secrets, Roz is shocked to find herself falling for the fascinating genealogist—even when he learns more about her than anyone has before… Don't miss the other books in the In the Garden trilogy Blue DahliaRed Lily

3

Red Lily

Pub: 2005

Plot details hidden until you finish "Black Rose".

Three women learn that the heart of their historic home holds a mystery of years gone by, as #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts brings her In the Garden trilogy to a captivating conclusion. A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night… Hayley Phillips came to Memphis hoping for a new start, for herself and her unborn child. She wasn’t looking for a handout from her distant cousin Roz, just a job at her thriving In the Garden nursery. What she found was a home surrounded by beauty and the best friends she’s ever had—including Roz’s son Harper. To Hayley’s chagrin, she has begun to dream about Harper—as much more than a friend… If Hayley gives in to her desire, she’s afraid the foundation she’s built with Harper will come tumbling down. And that wouldn’t be the only consequence, since her dreams are tangled up with Roz and the nursery. Hayley will have to put the past behind her to know her own heart again—and to decide whether she’s willing to risk it… Don't miss the other books in the In the Garden Trilogy Blue Dahlia Black Rose

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the In The Garden Trilogy series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read In The Garden Trilogy?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Blue Dahlia" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Nora Roberts intended.

Can I read In The Garden Trilogy books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the In The Garden Trilogy universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.