Serenity’s Plain Secrets Books in Order

Where to Start Reading: The Serenity Adams Reading Path

For readers looking to dive into the gritty, atmospheric mysteries of Blood Rock, Indiana, the best starting point is the very first book: Lamb to the Slaughter (2014). Unlike some mystery series where individual installments function entirely as standalones, Serenity’s Plain Secrets relies heavily on overarching character development, shifting professional dynamics, and a slow-burn romantic subplot.

As the series progresses, protagonist Serenity Adams starts as the local Sheriff of Blood Rock, dealing with the local Amish community and the complex cultural clashes that arise during criminal investigations. Over time, her career undergoes a significant evolution—eventually leading her to become an FBI Special Agent in later installments (beginning with the self-titled novel Serenity in 2022). Reading the books out of order will spoil these major life events and the changing nature of her relationship with Daniel Bachman, a former Amish man who frequently assists her.

Serenity’s Plain Secrets: Complete Publication Order

Because the chronological timeline of the series aligns directly with when the books were written, the publication order is the most straightforward and recommended way to read the main series. While the local database lists the first 17 novels up to 2024, the series has continued to expand rapidly with new releases:

1. Lamb to the Slaughter (2014) – Sheriff Serenity Adams investigates the death of a young Amish girl in a cornfield, meeting Daniel Bachman.
2. Whispers from the Dead (2015) – Serenity travels to a northern Amish settlement plagued by a series of suspicious fires.
3. Secrets in the Grave (2015) – A skeleton discovered in a collapsed barn reopens a decades-old murder case.
4. Hidden in Plain Sight (2016) – Serenity tackles a cold case in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, facing personal and professional trials.
5. Paper Roses (2017) – A community is shaken when a young Amish bride disappears shortly after her wedding.
6. Evil in My Town (2019) – Tensions boil over in Blood Rock when a string of violent crimes points to an insider.
7. Unholy Ground (2020) – A body discovered on sacred Amish ground forces Serenity to balance local lore and forensic evidence.
8. Bloody Ties (2020) – Past secrets threaten the safety of Serenity and Daniel as an old enemy resurfaces.
9. The Widow (2020) – An investigation into whether an Amish widow's death was a suicide or a calculated murder.
10. Wicked Legacy (2021) – Serenity uncovers dark family histories that have plagued the region for generations.
11. Blood Rock (2021) – The town itself becomes the center of a high-stakes conspiracy that threatens the peace.
12. The Offering (2021) – A ritualistic crime leads Serenity down a dangerous path of superstition and cultish behavior.
13. Serenity (2022) – A turning point where Serenity's law enforcement career elevates to the federal level as an FBI Special Agent.
14. Night Song (2023) – A crucial crossover event uniting Serenity with the characters of the Possum Gap series.
15. Devil's Eye (2023) – Serenity tracks a ruthless killer who uses the dense rural woods to evade capture.
16. Lost Soul (2023) – A kidnapping case tests Serenity's investigative instincts under extreme time pressure.
17. Sinful Alliance (2024) – An uneasy partnership is formed to bring down an organized crime ring operating in rural communities.
18. Perfect Death (2024) – A seemingly flawless crime challenges the FBI's top investigators.
19. Blood Clan (2025) – Serenity must untangle a web of lies surrounding a tight-knit family group.
20. Deadly Design (2025) – A series of calculated murders suggests a killer with a highly specific pattern.
21. Sinister Summer (2025) – Heat and high stakes collide as a cold case heats up during the summer months.
22. Hunting Butterflies (2026) – A delicate, complex puzzle involving missing persons in the region.
23. Buying Peril (2026) – Serenity is drawn into a dark black-market trade network operating under the cover of rural farms.
24. Dead Quiet (2026) – A silent killer stalks the peaceful countryside, demanding absolute stealth from investigators.

The Companion Series: Crossroads

For readers who enjoy the cultural tension and romance of the main series, Karen Ann Hopkins wrote a two-book romantic companion series called Crossroads. Rather than following Sheriff Serenity Adams, these books shift focus to the forbidden relationship between CJ West, an English outsider, and Joshua Miller, an Amish man. The series is set within the same shared universe and can be read as a standalone romance duology, though reading it alongside the early-to-middle books of the main series (around book 6 or 7) helps preserve the shared atmospheric setting:

• Forbidden Ways (2019)
• Sweet Regrets (2020)

The Shared Universe: Possum Gap Series & Crossovers

In addition to Serenity’s Plain Secrets, Karen Ann Hopkins has constructed a shared literary universe in rural Kentucky through her Possum Gap series. This spin-off series follows Sheriff Sadie Mills as she investigates crimes in her own jurisdiction. Because the two series exist in the same universe and take place in adjacent regions, characters from both frequently cross paths. Most notably, the 14th book in the Serenity series, Night Song (2023), serves as a direct crossover where Sheriff Sadie Mills and FBI Special Agent Serenity Adams team up to solve a joint investigation.

For the ultimate experience of the shared universe, readers can alternate between the main series and the Possum Gap series once they reach the later books. The publication order for the Possum Gap books is as follows:

• Free From Sin (2022)
• Dark Hollow Road (2022)
• Rush Into Evil (2023)
• Demons Live Here (2024)
• Misery Loves Calamity (2025)
• Grovel To None (2025)
• Wicked Winds Whisper (2025)
• Beware of Wendigos (2026)
• Grit Through Torment (2026)

What to Know Before You Start

While the setting of Blood Rock, Indiana, and the focus on the Amish lifestyle might suggest a cozy mystery vibe, readers should note that Serenity’s Plain Secrets is firmly in the police procedural and crime thriller genre. The books contain gritty elements, realistic crime scene details, and deep psychological tension. The primary appeal lies in how Hopkins handles the cultural divide: the Amish are neither idealized nor vilified, but instead depicted as a complex, human community dealing with the same flaws and secrets as the modern world outside their borders.