Jo Baker Books In Order – Jo Baker is a British novelist celebrated for her literary fiction and historical novels. She writes standalone books, but reading them in publication order allows readers to follow the development of her distinctive storytelling style and literary voice. Through her novels, Baker explores compelling themes such as history, family relationships, identity, memory, and social class. Her richly detailed narratives and deeply developed characters have earned her critical acclaim and a loyal readership, making her one of the most respected contemporary authors of literary and historical fiction.
A Quick Biography of Jo Baker
Jo Baker is a British novelist best known for her literary and historical fiction. She studied English at the University of Oxford and later earned a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast. Baker began her writing career with Offcomer in 2002 and gained international recognition with Longbourn (2013), a bestselling reimagining of Pride and Prejudice from the servants’ perspective. Her other acclaimed novels include The Mermaid’s Child, The Telling, The Picture Book, A Country Road, A Tree, The Body Lies, and The Midnight News. Known for her elegant prose and richly developed characters, Baker explores themes of history, memory, identity, family, and social class. She currently lives in the United Kingdom and continues to write critically acclaimed literary fiction.
Where Should You Start?
If you’re new to Jo Baker, Longbourn is the best place to begin. This acclaimed novel reimagines Pride and Prejudice from the perspective of the Bennet family’s servants and remains her most celebrated work. Readers interested in World War II fiction may also enjoy The Midnight News or A Country Road, A Tree.
Whether you enjoy literary fiction, historical fiction, or character-driven storytelling, Jo Baker’s novels offer thoughtful narratives filled with emotional depth and rich historical detail.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Offcomer | (2002) | Buy Now |
| The Mermaid’s Child | (2004) | Buy Now |
| The Telling | (2008) | Buy Now |
| The Undertow / The Picture Book | (2011) | Buy Now |
| Longbourn | (2013) | Buy Now |
| A Country Road, A Tree | (2016) | Buy Now |
| The Body Lies | (2019) | Buy Now |
| The Midnight News | (2023) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Samuel Beckett’s In Company Books
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Pop Beckett: Intersections with Popular Culture | (2019) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Anthologies
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Kiss and Part | (2019) | Buy Now |
| The Black Dreams: Strange Stories from Northern Ireland | (2021) | Buy Now |
3 Most Recent Jo Baker Books In Order
1] The Midnight News
Set during the London Blitz in 1940, The Midnight News follows twenty-year-old Charlotte Richmond as she balances her work at the Ministry of Information while mourning her brother’s death in France. She finds comfort in a mysterious young man who feeds birds, but tragedy soon gives way to fear when a shadowy stalker begins targeting her friends—and then her. As grief, suspicion, and danger close in, Charlotte struggles to separate truth from illusion. Jo Baker weaves a gripping historical novel that blends mystery, romance, and psychological suspense into an unforgettable story of courage and survival.
2] The Body Lies: A novel
In The Body Lies, a young writer leaves London to teach at a remote English university and escape the trauma of a violent assault. As she adjusts to single motherhood and campus life, tensions rise after debates about violence against women divide her creative writing class. When a troubled student submits stories that mirror her own life and predict a horrifying fate, she realizes fiction may become reality. Jo Baker delivers a gripping psychological thriller that explores fear, power, and the dangers of obsession with chilling intensity.
3] The Black Dreams
This anthology gathers specially commissioned short stories that immerse readers in strange, surreal, and dreamlike worlds where reality constantly shifts. Inspired by Ian Sansom’s haunting tale The Black, the collection blends dark humor, unsettling mystery, and imaginative storytelling. Acclaimed and emerging Northern Irish writers—including Jo Baker, Jan Carson, Michelle Gallen, Ian McDonald, Bernie McGill, and others—each contribute a unique voice. Together, they create a compelling anthology that explores the bizarre, the uncanny, and the unexpected, offering readers an unforgettable journey through the darker corners of the imagination.
To Sum Up
Jo Baker writes literary and historical fiction that combines rich historical detail with emotionally compelling storytelling. Her novels explore themes of identity, memory, family, class, love, and resilience through deeply developed characters and immersive settings. Best known for Longbourn, a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice from the servants’ perspective, Baker has also written acclaimed works such as Offcomer, The Mermaid’s Child, The Telling, The Picture Book, A Country Road, A Tree, The Body Lies, and The Midnight News. Whether set in wartime Europe, contemporary Britain, or inspired by classic literature, her books blend historical insight with psychological depth, making them a favorite among readers who enjoy thoughtful, character-driven literary fiction.
Top FAQ on Jo Baker
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Who is Jo Baker
Jo Baker is a British novelist best known for writing literary and historical fiction. She gained international recognition for her bestselling novel Longbourn.
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What is Jo Baker’s most popular book?
Longbourn is Jo Baker’s most famous novel. It reimagines Pride and Prejudice from the perspective of the Bennet family’s servants.
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What genre does Jo Baker write?
She primarily writes literary fiction and historical fiction, often blending historical events with deeply personal stories.
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What are Jo Baker’s best books?
Some of her most acclaimed books include:
Longbourn
The Midnight News
The Body Lies
A Country Road, A Tree
The Picture Book
