Books On Board

Amanda Pepper Books in Order

  • 14 Books
  • 1987 – 2007 Published

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Reading order
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Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start

For the best experience, readers should start at the very beginning of the series with the Anthony Award-winning debut, Caught Dead in Philadelphia. Reading the series in publication order is highly recommended. The mysteries themselves are self-contained, but the overarching character development, Amanda's career progression at Philly Prep, and her slow-burn romance with detective C.K. Mackenzie are best enjoyed chronologically.

Amanda Pepper Books in Publication and Chronological Order

Because the chronological timeline of Amanda's life moves forward alongside the release dates of the books, the publication order is the definitive reading order:

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  • Caught Dead in Philadelphia (1987)
  • Philly Stakes (1989)
  • I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia (1992)
  • With Friends Like These... (1993)
  • How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1994)
  • In the Dead of Summer (1995)
  • The Mummers' Curse (1996)
  • The Bluest Blood (1998)
  • Adam and Evil (1998)
  • Helen Hath No Fury (2000)
  • Claire and Present Danger (2003)
  • Till the End of Tom (2004)
  • A Hole in Juan (2006)
  • All's Well That Ends (2007)
    • /ol

    Chronological Caveats and Short Stories

    The main series flows linearly without complex flashbacks or prequels. However, fans looking for extra content can seek out Gillian Roberts' short stories. Amanda Pepper appears in the short story "Faint Heart", published in the anthology The Untreed Detectives. A collection of the author's short fiction can also be found in Murder, She Did: 14 Killer Short Stories.

    Spin-offs and Crossovers

    Gillian Roberts (the pen name of Judith Greber) also penned a two-book private investigator series featuring characters Emma Howe and Billie August (set in California):

    • Time and Trouble (1998)
    • Whatever Doesn't Kill You (2001)

    While set in the same general mystery universe and sharing the author's trademark wit, these books are standalone and do not feature crossovers with Amanda Pepper.

    Frequently Asked

    What is the recommended starting point for the Amanda Pepper series?

    Start with the first book, Caught Dead in Philadelphia (1987). This introduces Amanda, her school setting, and detective C.K. Mackenzie.

    Do I need to read the Amanda Pepper books in order?

    While the mystery plots in each book are self-contained, it is highly recommended to read them in order to follow the natural progression of Amanda's relationships, life changes, and personal growth.

    Who actually wrote the Amanda Pepper mysteries?

    The series was written by Gillian Roberts, which is a pseudonym used by the American novelist Judith Greber.

    Are there any short stories featuring Amanda Pepper?

    Yes, Amanda appears in the short story "Faint Heart" inside the anthology The Untreed Detectives, and some of the author's short mysteries are collected in Murder, She Did.

    Is the Amanda Pepper series still ongoing?

    No, the series concluded with the fourteenth novel, All's Well That Ends, published in 2007. The author wrote a formal farewell to the character on her website following its release.

    Are there any spin-off series to Amanda Pepper?

    There are no direct spin-offs, but Gillian Roberts wrote another mystery series featuring private eyes Emma Howe and Billie August starting with Time and Trouble.