series (the former by Ellis Peters and the latter Elizabeth Peters), can you please tell me if it's better to read these in order? I find books here and there at my local used bookstore, and I keep wanting to pick one up, but keep hesitating.

TIA!

So far I've read thirteen of the Amelia Peabody series - in order.   And yes, it is important to read these in order.   This is one of few series that is NOT stuck in time.  Each book advances the storyline at least a year, sometimes more.   So relationships develop, people get married, have children, those children grow up, etc.

If you are into audiobooks at all, I highly recommend this series on audio.  I love the narrator.

Thank you so much. I checked earlier today and my library has the first AP book, so I'm going to put it on hold. I'm not sure if they'll be "keeper" books so I figured I'd get it from the library first!

I 've read Brother Cadfael and didn't read in any particular order-it's a great series! Mary

I loved the early Amelia Peabody books. I love Peters' sense of humor. They got old for me after awhile, but I think I read 8 or 10 of them.

I second the suggestion that you read them in order. It's important if you want to keep up with the character relationships.

Enjoy!

I am a bit fanatical about reading series in order, but to be honest, I think any of the Cadfael books would stand on its own okay, although of course there's always stuff in each subsequent book that builds on the characters and lets you get to know them better.  Can't say re: the Peabody series, I tried reading two of them and struggled to finish both so never looked back...couldn't stand the woman! LOL

Cheryl

I haven't read the Brother Cadfael (will have to put on my list) but the Amelia Peabody should be read in order.  I'm up to book 9 in the series.  I see book 19 is coming out next year. 

The stories are excellent. I generally read about 2 at a time and then switch to a different author. To find out the order an excellent website is

www.fantasticfiction.com  I refer to it a lot trying to figure out which books are first. Happy reading.

I have read Ellis Peters too. I bit slow.