Maeve Binchy published 27 novels, 4 novellas, 8 short story collections, 2 non-fiction books, 1 play and 2 other books, beginning with Light a Penny Candle (1982). The best-known is Tara Road (1998).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Maeve Binchy
Start here
Tara Road
Maeve Binchy's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Light a Penny Candle (1982)
Echoes (1985)
Firefly Summer by Binchy, Maeve (2006) Paperback (1987)
Silver Wedding (1988)
Silver Wedding The Lilac Bus (1988)
Circle of Friends (1990)
Light a Penny Candle, And, the Lilac Bus (1992)
The Copper Beech (1992)
Firefly Summer; Echoes (1994)
Firefly Summer. Circle of Friends (1994)
The Glass Lake (1994)
Dear Maeve (1995)
The Cruise (1995)
Evening Class (Aug 1998)
Tara Road (Aug 1998)
Light a Penny Candle/Echoes (1999)
Of Love and Life (1999)
Scarlet Feather (2000)
Quentins (2002)
Nights of Rain and Stars (Aug 2004)
The Copper Beech, Evening Class (2005)
Whitethorn Woods (2006)
Heart and Soul (2008)
The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club (2008)
Minding Frankie (2010)
A Week in Winter (2012)
Chestnut Street (2014)
Novellas in order
Ride on Rapunzel (1992)
The Builders (Open Door) (2002)
Star Sullivan (2006)
Full House (2012)
Short story collections in order
Central Line (1978)
London Transports (1980)
Dublin 4 (1981)
The Lilac Bus (1984)
Cross Lines (1996)
This Year It Will Be Different (1996)
The Return Journey (1998)
A Few of the Girls (2015)
Non-fiction in order
Maeve Binchy (1991)
Maeve's Times (2013)
Plays in order
Deeply Regretted By (2005)
Other books in order
Aches and Pains (1999)
Victoria Line,Central Line and Silver Wedding (2001)
Film and TV adaptations
- Circle of Friends (1995)Film · from Circle of Friends
About Maeve Binchy
Anne Maeve Binchy Snell was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist, and speaker. Her novels were characterised by a sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland, and surprise endings. Her novels, which were translated into 37 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Her death at age 73, announced by Vincent Browne on Irish television late on 30 July 2012, was mourned as the death of one of Ireland's best-loved and most recognisable writers.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Maeve Binchy FAQ
- How many books has Maeve Binchy written?
- Maeve Binchy published 27 novels, 4 novellas, 8 short story collections, 2 non-fiction books, 1 play and 2 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Maeve Binchy's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Tara Road.
- What is Maeve Binchy's last book?
- Chestnut Street (2014).
- What is Maeve Binchy's most famous book?
- Tara Road (1998) is Maeve Binchy's most widely read book.
- Which Maeve Binchy books have been adapted?
- 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including Circle of Friends (film, 1995).
Authors like Maeve Binchy
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.