Loved 'Rivals'? These Are The Dame Jilly Cooper Books To Read Next
If you've already finished watching Disney+'s TV adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper's Rivals, and have found yourself immersed in the lives of Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), Taggie O'Hara (Bella Maclean) and others, then you're in luck: there's a whole series of books to dive into.
The 11-part romantic series, known as the Rutshire Chronicles, spans from 1986 to 2023. Like the TV show, the books follow the lives of the upper-class families in the Cotswolds, featuring scandals, affairs and steamy plot lines. The characters mentioned above reappear throughout the Chronicles, along with new characters and locations, from London to Paris and New York.
Here, we list the chronological order of books to read in Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles series:
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Riders (1986)
The first novel in the Rutshire Chronicles follows the rivalry between gypsy Jake Lovell, who has a talent for seducing women and taming horses. Lovell's feud with Rupert Campbell-Black sees them steal one another's horses and embark on wild escapades across Europe, culminating in a dramatic showdown at the Los Angeles Olympics.
Rivals (1988)
This novel showcases the glamorous and ruthless world of 1980s British television, where power, wealth and scandal run rampant. Tensions rise when Lord Baddingham is determined to keep his Corinium TV franchise, so decides to hire talk show host Declan O'Hara, alongside bold executive Cameron Cook. Rival factions including Rupert Campbell-Black, emerge, causing reputations to rise and fall, along with affairs and boardroom betrayals.
Polo (1991)
This sports romance novel sees the introduction of Ricky France-Lynch, a moody and macho polo star with a crumbling estate who is on a quest to win back his wife. Meanwhile, a young girl named Perdita MacLeod becomes infatuated with France-Lynch while aspiring to become a polo player herself.
The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (1993)
The handsome and charming Lysander Hawkley loves nothing more than entwining himself with women left unsatisfied by their husbands, naturally making him unpopular with the husbands of the ritzy Rutshire. However, things take a surprising turn when he meets Rannaldini, a temperamental and promiscuous conductor.
Appassionata (1996)
Appassionata sees the return of Rivals favourites Rupert Campbell-Black, Taggie O'Hara and more, as well as the introduction of Abigail Rosen, known as Appassionata, a glamorous yet lonely violinist. Following a break down in her mental health, her career begins to crumble, until she seizes the conductor's rostrum at the Rutminster Symphony Orchestra and catches the eye of Viking O'Neill.
Score (1999)
Score sees the return of Sir Robert Rannaldini, and his continued success as a conductor. This time around he becomes enthralled by his stepdaughter Tabitha, while stepping into the most defining era of his career. Not long after, scandal and chaos erupt when he is suddenly found dead.
Pandora (2002)
When a famous painting called the Pandora goes missing, the hunt to retrieve it takes readers on a journey to Vienna, Geneva, Paris, New York and London to restore the beloved picture to its rightful home. During it all, the salacious lives of Kelvedon family in the Cotswolds plays out, from the perspective of the woman in the painting.
Wicked! (2002)
The seventh book in the Rutshire Chronicles sees an affair play out between Bagley Hall School's headmaster Hengist Brett-Taylor and Larkminster Comprehensive's new head teacher, Janna Curtis, when their school facilities are combined. When the two vastly financed schools are brought together, tensions spark between pupils, teachers and parents.
Jump! (2010)
After the death of her abusive husband, Etta Bancroft's self-centred children relocate her to a village in the Cotswolds. One night, she discovers a dying filly in the snow, and decides to rescue it, which leads to her forming a syndicate to support the horse. As the horse recovers, Etta and her friends decide to enter her into a maiden hurdle, and the result is unexpected.
Mount! (2016)
Rupert Campbell-Black is back once again, as he navigates the ruthless world of flat racing, and confronting his rival Cosmo Rannaldini, which means he must leave home and travel the globe. Upon his return, he finds himself dangerously tempted by his father's new character, while a new mystery man sets his eyes on Taggie.
Tackle! (2023)
In Dame Jilly Cooper's latest novel, Rupert's world is currently in turmoil: his wife Taggie is undergoing chemotherapy, and his leading stallion has been murdered. All the while he faces pressure from his daughter Bianca to invest in a struggling football club, which brings fierce competition, chaotic players, and a scandalous rival.
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