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Ballad Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Ballad books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: March 2026
Quick Answer
What order should I read the Ballad series? Start with "If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O" (1990) and follow publication order through all 12 books.
The complete Ballad reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O
1990
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
1992
She Walks These Hills
1994
The Rosewood Casket
1996
The Ballad of Frankie Silver
1997
The Songcatcher
2001
Ghost Riders
2003
The Devil Amongst the Lawyers
2010
The Ballad of Tom Dooley
2011
King's Mountain
2013
Nora Bonesteel's Christmas Past
2014
Prayers the Devil Answers
2016
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