Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path for Ettie Smith

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries in their official publication order. While each mystery is a self-contained story with a resolved whodunit, the personal lives, community relationships, and recurring character arcs progress linearly from one book to the next. Starting from the beginning allows you to fully appreciate the evolving, humorous, and sometimes testy sisterly dynamic between the main protagonist, Ettie Smith, and her older sister, Elsa-May.

If you dive in mid-series, you will still easily follow the individual mystery plots, but you will miss the delightful build-up of the sisters' sleuthing reputation and their ongoing interactions with their neighbors and local detective. To get the complete picture, begin with the very first book, Secrets Come Home, which introduces Ettie, Elsa-May, and their charming community.

Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries in Publication Order

Author Samantha Price has been incredibly prolific, publishing the first book in 2015 and continuing to release multiple installments each year. Below is the complete list of all 33 books in the series in their chronological publication order, spanning from the debut mystery to the latest releases:

1. Secrets Come Home (2015) - Ettie inherits a house from a deceased friend, only to discover a long-hidden body under the floorboards.
2. Amish Murder (2016) - Ettie helps a detective investigate the suspicious death of a former Amish woman.
3. Murder in the Amish Bakery (2016) - The community is shocked when a baker is found dead, and Ettie is on the case to find the culprit.
4. Amish Murder Too Close (2016) - Danger hits close to home for the senior sisters as they work to clear a family friend's name.
5. Amish Quilt Shop Mystery (2016) - A murder in the local quilt shop forces Ettie to unravel a complicated web of secrets and fabrics.
6. Amish Baby Mystery (2016) - A abandoned baby and a suspicious death tie together in another baffling case.
7. Betrayed (2016) - Long-standing grudges come to light when a shocking betrayal leads to murder.
8. Amish False Witness (2016) - False accusations fly in the community, and Ettie must uncover the truth to save an innocent neighbor.
9. Amish Barn Murders (2016) - A fire in a barn reveals a darker secret, prompting another investigative journey for the sisters.
10. Amish Christmas Mystery (2016) - The festive season turns tense when a holiday gathering is disrupted by a mysterious crime.
11. Who Killed Uncle Alfie? (2017) - Ettie investigates the death of a wealthy relative and the secrets his heirs are hiding.
12. Lost: Amish Mystery (2017) - A missing person case leads Ettie down a path of old promises and new dangers.
13. Amish Cover-Up (2017) - When a cover-up threatens to ruin lives, Ettie works to expose the hidden truth.
14. Amish Crossword Murder (2017) - A puzzling death involving a crossword puzzle challenges Ettie’s analytical skills.
15. Old Promises (2017) - Unresolved history and past agreements resurface with deadly consequences.
16. Amish Mystery At Rose Cottage (2018) - A quiet stay at a cottage becomes anything but peaceful when a new crime occurs.
17. Plain Secrets (2018) - The plain Amish lifestyle cannot hide the complicated motives behind a local murder.
18. Fear Thy Neighbor (2018) - Suspicion falls on those closest to home in this tense neighborhood mystery.
19. Amish Winter Murder Mystery (2018) - A freezing winter backdrop sets the stage for a chilly and complex investigation.
20. Amish Scarecrow Murders (2019) - A grim discovery in a field leads Ettie to investigate local farming rivalries.
21. Threadly Secret (2019) - Small details and loose threads help Ettie piece together a puzzling death.
22. Sugar and Spite (2019) - A local candy shop owner is found dead, leading to a double mystery that Ettie and Elsa-May must solve.
23. A Puzzling Amish Murder (2020) - A highly convoluted case challenges even Ettie’s sharpest deductive reasoning.
24. Amish Dead & Breakfast (2021) - A bed and breakfast opening turns tragic, making the guests prime suspects.
25. Amish Mishaps and Murder (2022) - A series of unfortunate accidents turns out to be something far more sinister.
26. A Deadly Amish Betrayal (2022) - Broken trust leads to a tragic end, and Ettie must find out who is responsible.
27. Amish Buggy Murder (2023) - A crime involving a traditional buggy leaves the community looking for answers.
28. Dial M for Mennonite (2024) - Ettie expands her sleuthing horizons when a mystery involves the neighboring Mennonite community.
29. Roost in Peace (2024) - A missing ledger and a strange connection to a friend's chickens spark a new investigation.
30. Quilty Until Proven Innocent (2025) - A famous quilt historian's YouTube show brings excitement and murder to the community.
31. Amish Burial Blunder (2025) - An unexpected incident during an Amish burial ceremony triggers a search for a killer.
32. The Gingerbread Christmas Crisis (2025) - Holiday baking and high stakes collide in this festive cozy mystery.
33. Bonnets, Buggies, and Betrayal (2026) - The latest installment finds Ettie and Elsa-May navigating lies and secrets in the spring.

Chronological Timeline and Ordering Caveats

Unlike some cozy mystery series that utilize prequels or non-linear timelines, the Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries series follows a straightforward chronological path that mirrors its publication timeline. The books are written to flow directly from one to the next, representing the passage of seasons, holidays, and years within the Amish community.

However, one minor caveat to keep in mind is the seasonal themes. Several books are heavily set during specific times of the year—such as the winter chill in Amish Winter Murder Mystery or the holiday cheer in Amish Christmas Mystery and The Gingerbread Christmas Crisis. If you read the books out of order, the sudden shifts from summer harvests to deep winter snows might feel slightly disjointed. Sticking to the publication order ensures that the seasonal backdrop and the ages of the characters progress naturally.

What to Know Before You Start

Before jumping into the series, it is helpful to understand the unique characteristics that define the Ettie Smith mysteries. Samantha Price has crafted a distinct subgenre of Christian cozy mysteries that blend authentic cultural details with classic whodunit tropes.

Meet the Senior Sister Sleuths

At the heart of the series is Ettie Smith, an Amish widow in her eighties. Ettie is not your typical submissive Amish woman; she is fiercely independent, deeply curious, and possesses a dry sense of humor. Her sister, Elsa-May, who is slightly older, frequently tags along on her investigations. The interactions between the two sisters provide much of the series' lighthearted humor, characterized by playful bickering, differing opinions on how to handle secrets, and sisterly loyalty.

Wholesome and Clean Storytelling

As a series marketed under clean cozy mysteries and Amish fiction, the books are entirely free of graphic violence, explicit language, or romance that conflicts with traditional values. The focus is squarely on the puzzle of the mystery, community relationships, and underlying themes of faith, forgiveness, and resilience. This makes it an ideal choice for readers looking for uplifting and clean entertainment.

Practical Reader Advice and Where to Begin

With over 30 books, starting the Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, Samantha Price and her publishers have made it highly accessible for new readers to jump in without breaking the bank.

Leverage the Value Box Sets

If you want to read the series from the beginning, the most cost-effective approach is to purchase the official digital box sets. These collections bundle the books in sequential blocks (such as Books 1–8, Books 9–16, Books 17–24, and Books 25–30). Starting with the first box set is the perfect way to test if you enjoy Ettie's personality and the cozy pacing of the stories.

Can the Books Be Read Standalone?

Yes. If you happen to pick up a single copy of a later book like Dial M for Mennonite or Roost in Peace at a local bookstore or library, you can read it without feeling lost. Samantha Price is careful to provide enough context about Ettie, Elsa-May, and their living situation at the beginning of each book so that new readers can quickly get their bearings. However, for the ultimate character progression, beginning with book one remains the gold standard.