Amy M. Reade Books in Order

Where to Start with Amy M. Reade

Amy M. Reade is a versatile writer who successfully spans multiple mystery subgenres, meaning the best place for you to start depends entirely on your reading mood. If you love lighthearted, small-town sleuthing filled with seasonal cheer and delicious recipes, you should dive straight into the cozy world of the Juniper Junction Holiday Mystery series. For fans of classic, dark, and brooding Gothic suspense set across the United Kingdom, the Malice series is the ideal entry point. Finally, if you prefer rich, period-accurate mysteries set in coastal New Jersey, you will want to look for her historical novels written under the pen name A.M. Reade.

Because her series explore different settings, tones, and subgenres, there is no single overarching reading order. You can easily read her standalone novels or choose a specific series to follow from start to finish. Below, we break down each of her major worlds, their connections, and their recommended reading orders.

Juniper Junction Holiday Mysteries: Festive Cozy Fun

For readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in the style of small-town whodunits, the Juniper Junction Holiday Mystery series is Reade’s signature work. Set in the picturesque town of Juniper Junction, Colorado, the series follows Lilly Carlsen, a jeweler and single mother who has a knack for stumbling across murder investigations during major holidays and seasonal events. Each book features a distinct holiday theme, a lighthearted but twisty puzzle, and delicious recipes included at the end of the book.

While the mysteries themselves are self-contained, Lilly's personal life, her relationship with her children, and her place in the local community evolve over the course of the books. For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read this cozy series in order of publication:

• The Worst Noel (2017) – Set at Christmas
• Dead, White, and Blue (2019) – Set on the Fourth of July
• Be My Valencrime (2020) – Set on Valentine's Day
• Ghouls' Night Out (2020) – Set on Halloween
• MayDay! (2021) – Set on May Day
• Fowl Play (2022) – Set at Thanksgiving
• St. Patrick's Fray (2023) – Set on St. Patrick's Day

The Malice Series: Gothic Suspense in the UK

If you prefer a darker, more atmospheric tone with psychological tension and historic estates, the Malice series will suit you perfectly. Unlike the cozy streets of Juniper Junction, this series takes readers across the Atlantic to the moody, windswept landscapes of the United Kingdom, blending classic Gothic suspense with contemporary mysteries.

A unique aspect of the Malice series is its character continuity. Each book features a different main character and a distinct setting, but they are loosely tied together by secondary threads and prior events. Specifically, the traumatic events that unfold in the Scottish Highlands in the second book, Highland Peril, directly shape the backstory of the protagonist in the third book, Murder in Thistlecross. To fully appreciate these connections and the emotional growth of the characters, you should read the Malice books in order:

1. The House on Candlewick Lane (2017) – Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, following art historian Greer Dobbins as she searches for her kidnapped daughter.
2. Highland Peril (2017) – Set in a remote village in the Scottish Highlands, following photographer Sylvie Carmichael as she investigates a murder linked to a missing masterpiece.
3. Murder in Thistlecross (2018) – Set in a restored 15th-century castle in Wales, following Eilidh Cameron, whose life was upended during the events of the previous book, as she tries to start over.

The Cape May Historical Mysteries (Writing as A.M. Reade)

Writing under the pen name A.M. Reade, the author dives into historical fiction with the Cape May Historical Mystery series. Set in the historic coastal town of Cape May, New Jersey, this series transports readers back to different eras of American history, from the colonial period through the antebellum era. Each novel is steeped in rich historical detail, local atmosphere, and classic mystery elements.

While these books are historical standalones focusing on different time periods and characters, they are united by their Cape May setting and their exploration of early American history. We recommend reading them in publication order:

• Cape Menace: A Mystery of Colonial America (2020)
• A Traitor Among Us: A Mystery of Revolutionary America (2022)
• The Night the Light Went Out: A Mystery of Early America (2024)
• Murder at the Chestnut Wig: A Mystery of Antebellum America (2025)

Libraries of the World Mystery Series

This series introduces readers to Daisy Carruthers, a protagonist who relocates to Washington, D.C. after her life is turned upside down. Her investigations lead her to historic libraries where she solves modern crimes by unraveling secrets hidden in historical journals and letters. Currently, this series is in its early stages:

• Trudy's Diary (2019) – Daisy uncovers a 19th-century diary at the Library of Congress that holds the key to a modern-day murder case.

Amy M. Reade's Standalone Gothic Novels

Before launching her recurring series, Reade established her reputation with three standalone Gothic suspense novels. These books are completely independent of one another and can be read in any order. They are perfect for fans of romantic suspense, mysterious old estates, and remote settings:

• Secrets of Hallstead House (2014) – Reade's debut novel. Set on a remote island in the St. Lawrence River, it follows a nurse who takes a job at a grand estate, only to find herself surrounded by dark family secrets.
• The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor (2015) – Set on a historic Southern plantation, this tale combines family drama and haunting suspense.
• House of the Hanging Jade (2016) – Set on the Big Island of Hawaii, this story follows a personal chef working for a wealthy family who must deal with a stalker and a series of tragic, mysterious occurrences.

Amy M. Reade Books in Order of Publication

If you prefer to see how Reade's style evolved over time, or if you want to read all of her works chronologically as they were released, you can follow this complete publication order:

1. Secrets of Hallstead House (Standalone, 2014)
2. The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor (Standalone, 2015)
3. House of the Hanging Jade (Standalone, 2016)
4. The House on Candlewick Lane (Malice Book 1, 2017)
5. Highland Peril (Malice Book 2, 2017)
6. The Worst Noel (Juniper Junction Book 1, 2017)
7. The 12 Slays of Christmas Recipe Book (Anthology Companion, 2017)
8. Murder in Thistlecross (Malice Book 3, 2018)
9. Dead, White, and Blue (Juniper Junction Book 2, 2019)
10. Trudy's Diary (Libraries of the World Book 1, 2019)
11. Be My Valencrime (Juniper Junction Book 3, 2020)
12. Ghouls' Night Out (Juniper Junction Book 4, 2020)
13. Cape Menace (Cape May Book 1, 2020)
14. MayDay! (Juniper Junction Book 5, 2021)
15. A Traitor Among Us (Cape May Book 2, 2022)
16. Fowl Play (Juniper Junction Book 6, 2022)
17. St. Patrick's Fray (Juniper Junction Book 7, 2023)
18. The Night the Light Went Out (Cape May Book 3, 2024)
19. Murder at the Chestnut Wig (Cape May Book 4, 2025)

What to Know Before You Start

When starting Amy M. Reade's catalog, keep in mind that she deliberately writes under two slightly different names to separate her genres. Her contemporary cozy and Gothic novels are published under Amy M. Reade, while her historical mysteries are published under A.M. Reade. This makes it easy to select the type of story you are in the mood for. While her books do not feature tight cliffhangers that force you to read in a specific order, sticking to the publication orders for the Juniper Junction and Malice series will ensure you do not miss any character developments or subtle references to past events.