4 Of The Best Delia Owens Books In Order

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“I wasn’t aware that words could hold so much. I didn’t know a sentence could be so full.”

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If you’re looking for a complete guide to Delia Owens books in order, you’ve come to the right place. Best known for her global bestseller, Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens has captured readers with her vivid nature writing, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable sense of place. However, plenty of readers don’t know she’s also penned several acclaimed nonfiction books, making it even more important to explore her full bibliography in the right order. Today at What We Reading, we’re breaking down the best Delia Owens books, ranked and organised so you can easily decide where to begin. Whether you’re looking for a clear Delia Owens reading order, wondering how many books she’s written, or simply looking for your next read, we’ve got you covered. From memoir to literary fiction, here are the essential books by Delia Owens to add to your list. 

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Where The Crawdads Sing (2018)

Where else could we start a list of Delia Owens books than with her acclaimed bestseller, Where the Crawdads Sing? For years, rumours of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild, unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her. But Kya is not what they think. She yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men in the town, both of whom are intrigued by her wild beauty, she opens herself to a new and startling world. 

In Where the Crawdads Sing, Owens juxtaposes an exquisite ode to the natural world against a profound coming-of-age story and a haunting mystery. Thought-provoking, wise, and deeply moving, Owens’ debut novel reminds us that we are forever shaped by the child within us, while also subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps. 

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Check Out The Best Books Like Where The Crawdads Sing

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Cry Of The Kalahari (1984)

Cry of the Kalahari is a gripping memoir that follows Delia Owens and her husband, Mark Owens, as they embark on an ambitious research project in Botswana’s remote Central Kalahari Desert. With little more than basic supplies and a shared determination, the couple set out to study the behaviour of elusive wildlife, especially lions and brown hyenas, in one of the harshest environments on Earth. 

The book blends scientific observations with deeply personal storytelling, capturing both the beauty and brutality of life in the wild. As the Owens face extreme isolation, dangerous conditions, and moments of real peril, they also develop a profound connection to the animals and landscape around them. Rich in detail and emotion, Cry of the Kalahari is as much a love story – to nature and to each other – as it is a record of groundbreaking field research. 

The Eye Of The Elephant (1992)

After being expelled from Botswana for writing their controversial bestseller, Cry of the Kalahari, Mark and Delia Owens set off on a journey across Africa, searching for a new Eden. They found it in Zambia, but elephant poachers soon had them fighting for their lives when they tried to stop the slaughter. 

Secrets Of The Savanna (2006)

In this riveting, real-life adventure, Mark and Delia Owens tell the dramatic story of their last years in Africa, fighting to save elephants, villagers, and – in the end – themselves. The award-winning zoologists and pioneering conservationists describe their work in the remote and ruggedly beautiful Luangwa Valley, northeastern Zambia. 

There, they studied the mysteries of the elephant population’s recovery after poaching, discovering the remarkable similarities between humans and elephants. A young elephant named Gift provided the clue to help them crack the animals’ stunning secret of survival. A stirring portrait of life in Africa, Secrets of the Savanna is a remarkable record of the Owens’ unique passions.