Amy Shojai Books in Order

Where to Start with Amy Shojai

For readers looking to dive into Amy Shojai's books, the best starting point is her signature fiction series, the September Day Thrillers (also known as the September & Shadow series). Unlike her standalone non-fiction pet care guides, these novels feature a continuous narrative arc tracking the emotional recovery and partnership of protagonist September Day, an animal behaviorist, and Shadow, her German Shepherd PTSD service dog.

While individual thrillers contain self-contained mysteries and can be enjoyed as standalones, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. Doing so allows you to fully appreciate the development of the characters, the progression of their relationships, and the ongoing struggles with trauma that define the series' emotional core.

The September Day Thriller Series in Order

The fiction series follows September and Shadow as they track down missing persons, stop drug runners, and dismantle dangerous criminal syndicates. The recommended reading order is the publication sequence:

1. Lost and Found (2012) - The book that introduces September Day and her rescue service dog Shadow as they hunt for a missing child.
2. Hide and Seek (2014) - A deadly virus threatens both humans and dogs in this high-stakes sequel.
3. Show and Tell (2017) - September and Shadow search for a missing service dog trainer amidst a web of family secrets.
4. Fight or Flight (2018) - The duo faces drug traffickers and personal demons in the Appalachian wilderness.
5. Hit and Run (2020) - Shadow is targeted when September gets too close to a dark conspiracy.
6. Win or Lose (2022) - A winter storm sets the stage for a deadly game of survival.
7. Dare or Die (2023) - September is pulled into a dangerous case involving old rivalries and explosive secrets.
8. Play or Pay (2024) - September and Shadow work to dismantle a crime syndicate while handling kidnapping demands.
9. Trick or Treat (2025) - A Halloween festival turns deadly when a body is discovered in a pumpkin patch.

Amy Shojai's Non-Fiction Pet Care Books

As a certified animal behavior consultant and former veterinary technician, Amy Shojai has written over 35 non-fiction books. These books do not need to be read in any specific chronological order, but they can be categorized into thematic series and guides to help you find the help your pet needs.

The ComPETability Series

This series provides highly practical advice for households managing multiple pets, focusing on behavioral corrections and smooth introductions:

• ComPETability: A Practical Guide to Building a Peaceable Kingdom Between Cats and Dogs (1998)
• ComPETability: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multi-Dog Household (2010)
• ComPETability: Solving Behavior Problems In Your Cat-Dog Household (2012)
• ComPETability: Solving Behavior Problems In Your Multi-Cat Household (2012)

The "Hates My..." and Behavioral Diagnostics Series

Written with humor and direct, scientific advice, these guides address specific behavioral anxieties and communication issues between pets and owners:

• My Cat Hates My Date! (2014)
• My Dog Hates My Date! (2014)
• My Cat Hates My Vet! (2016)
• My Dog Hates My Vet! (2017)
• Does My Cat Hate Me? (2019)
• Is My Dog Depressed? (2023)

Encyclopedias, Aging, and First-Aid Companion Guides

These reference works are essential for any pet owner looking for comprehensive, vet-approved medical translations and home remedies:

• The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care (1999)
• The Purina Encyclopedia of Cat Care (2000)
• The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats (2001)
• Complete Care for Your Aging Cat (2010)
• Complete Care for Your Aging Dog (2010)
• Dog Facts: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia (2016)
• Cat Facts: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia (2017)

Co-Authored Works, Plays, and Chicken Soup Collections

In addition to her guides and thrillers, Shojai has brought her love for pets to the stage and compiled stories for major anthologies:

• Strays, the Musical: A Drama-Dy in Two Acts (2014) - Co-authored with Frank Steele, this musical explores shelter animal perspectives and pet adoption.
• Chicken Soup for the Soul Contributions - Shojai served as a curator, co-editor, and contributor for several animal-centric editions of the famous series, including Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul.

What to Know Before You Start

Shojai's thrillers are famous for incorporating chapters written from the perspective of Shadow the service dog, utilizing realistic canine senses (like scent and sound tracking) rather than cartoonish anthropomorphism. Because of her deep background in animal behavior, the pet actions and medical scenarios described in both her fiction and non-fiction are highly accurate, offering readers a unique blend of authentic veterinary science and page-turning suspense.