Books On Board

Lady Emily Ashton Books in Order

  • 23 Books
  • 2005 – 2021 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Reading Order for Lady Emily Ashton

To fully experience Lady Emily’s growth from a grieving Victorian widow into a fierce, independent investigator, it is highly recommended to read the series in chronological order. Because character development, relationships, and major life changes carry over from book to book, jumping around will spoil key plot points and character arcs. Below is the complete reading order, including the main novels and the holiday novellas inserted at their proper chronological points.

  1. And Only to Deceive (2005) — The debut novel where Emily discovers her late husband’s journals, sparking her love of antiquities and her very first investigation.
  2. A Poisoned Season (2007) — Emily navigates London's high society and investigates a thief obsessed with Marie Antoinette’s treasures.
  3. A Fatal Waltz (2008) — A country estate party turns deadly when Emily is forced to clear the name of her fiancé's associate.
  4. The Bridal Strain (2018) (Novella #3.5) — A short story that takes place directly after the events of A Fatal Waltz, focusing on the run-up to a highly anticipated society wedding.
  5. Tears of Pearl (2009) — Set in the exotic ruins of Constantinople, where Emily investigates the murder of a harem member.
  6. Dangerous to Know (2010) — Emily travels to the Normandy coast to escape London, only to find a dark family mystery awaiting her.
  7. A Crimson Warning (2011) — Back in London, a mysterious prankster is splashing red paint on Mayfair doors, paving the way for murder.
  8. Death in the Floating City (2012) — A trip to Venice brings Emily face-to-face with an old friend accused of murdering her husband.
  9. Behind the Shattered Glass (2013) — A murder at an elegant country estate in Derbyshire forces Emily to look into the secrets of the local gentry.
  10. The Counterfeit Heiress (2014) — Emily attends a grand costume ball in Paris, where she gets caught up in the identity theft of a wealthy heiress.
  11. Star of the East (2014) (Novella #9.5) — A festive Christmas novella set in Yorkshire, dealing with a mysterious guest and a missing family heirloom.
  12. The Adventuress (2015) — Emily and Colin vacation on the beautiful French Riviera, only to find themselves investigating a suspicious death at a grand villa.
  13. That Silent Night (2015) (Novella #10.5) — A Christmas-themed mystery where Emily and her husband Colin attempt to solve a holiday burglary.
  14. A Terrible Beauty (2016) — Emily travels to Greece, where archaeological excavations uncover modern murders alongside ancient relics.
  15. Death in St. Petersburg (2017) — Set in imperial Russia, where Emily must solve the murder of a star ballerina before the Tsar's police intervene.
  16. Amid the Winter's Snow (2018) (Novella #12.5) — A winter holiday mystery set in the English countryside, resolving a decades-old village secret.
  17. Uneasy Lies the Crown (2018) — Emily is in London during the coronation preparations for King Edward VII, investigating a murder linked to the crown.
  18. Upon the Midnight Clear (2019) (Novella #13.5) — A heartwarming holiday mystery where Emily assists in solving a mystery for a local orphanage.
  19. In the Shadow of Vesuvius (2020) — Set in Pompeii, where archaeological digs lead to a modern-day murder mystery.
  20. The Dark Heart of Florence (2021) — A trip to Florence reveals a dark family secret and a crime tied to the Italian Renaissance.
  21. Secrets of the Nile (2022) — A thrilling mystery set in Egypt, where Emily investigates a murder at a luxurious estate along the Nile.
  22. A Cold Highland Wind (2023) — Emily and Colin travel to the rugged mountains of Scotland, solving a crime in a remote castle.
  23. Death by Misadventure (2024) — A mystery that finds Emily dealing with suspicious accidents and long-buried village rivalries.
  24. The Sisterhood (2025) — Set in London in 1907, Emily and Colin investigate the mysterious poisoning of elite debutantes under orders from the King.
  25. Murder on the Sacred River (2026) — Emily and Colin vacation in India along the sacred Narmada River, dealing with a dual-timeline mystery that traces back to 1740.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Fortunately for readers, Tasha Alexander has written this series in a way that matches publication order with chronological order for all of the main novels. The only differences lie with the novellas and short stories, which were published out of sequence but fit neatly between specific books.

For instance, the novella The Bridal Strain was published in 2018, but the events in the story take place between the third novel, A Fatal Waltz (2008), and the fourth novel, Tears of Pearl (2009). While you can read the series strictly in publication order, inserting these short stories chronologically gives a smoother flow to Emily's relationship timeline and the holiday traditions she shares with her family.

Where to Start and Standalone Advice

You should absolutely start with the very first book, And Only to Deceive. The entire premise of the series hinges on Emily's initial status as a young widow who did not truly know her late husband, Philip. Her journey of reading his diaries, discovering his secret passions, and subsequently meeting her partner, Colin Hargreaves, forms the emotional foundation of the entire series.

While the mystery in each book is self-contained and resolved by the final page, the character growth, romantic progression, and domestic lives of Emily, Colin, and their friends are highly serialized. Reading them out of order will lead to major spoilers regarding marriages, births, and character deaths.

What to Know Before You Start

Tasha Alexander’s mysteries are celebrated for their meticulous historical research and rich descriptions of global travel. As the series progresses, Emily moves from the rigid drawing rooms of Victorian London to locations like Constantinople, Russia, Pompeii, Egypt, and India. Starting around the middle of the series, the novels frequently employ a dual-timeline narrative structure, flashing back to historical figures (such as Marie Antoinette or ancient Roman figures) to mirror the mystery Emily is solving in the Edwardian era. Expect a delightful mix of classic detective work, high society drama, and archaeological history.

Frequently Asked

Can the Lady Emily Ashton books be read as standalones?

While the individual murder mysteries are self-contained, the character arcs, romantic relationships, and family dynamics develop continuously. It is highly recommended to read them in order to avoid major spoilers.

What is the best book to start the Lady Emily Ashton series?

You should start with the first novel, And Only to Deceive, as it establishes Emily's background, her interest in antiquities, and her introduction to Colin Hargreaves.

Where are the Lady Emily Ashton books set?

The series begins in Victorian London but quickly expands to global settings, including Constantinople, Venice, the French Riviera, St. Petersburg, Pompeii, Florence, Egypt, Scotland, and India.

Are there any spin-offs or co-authored books in the series?

No, the series is written entirely by Tasha Alexander, and there are no official spin-off series focusing on other characters.

Where do the holiday novellas fit in the reading order?

The novellas fit chronologically between the novels: The Bridal Strain goes after book 3, Star of the East after book 9, That Silent Night after book 10, Amid the Winter's Snow after book 12, and Upon the Midnight Clear after book 13.