Where to Start Reading Ashley Emma
If you are new to Ashley Emma's novels, the best place to begin is with her signature series, the Covert Police Detectives Unit. Her debut novel, Undercover Amish (2016), serves as the perfect introduction to her signature blend of high-stakes suspense, romantic intrigue, and Christian faith, all set against a deeply researched Amish backdrop.
For readers who prefer lighter romance and creative retellings rather than intense police suspense, starting with the Amish Fairytale series is highly recommended. Beginning with Amish Snow White (2020) allows you to experience how Emma adapts traditional folklore into the cultural framework of Plain communities.
Covert Police Detectives Unit Series
This is Ashley Emma's most famous series, tracking detectives who must go undercover inside Amish communities to solve intense crimes, including domestic danger and trafficking. While each book is designed as a standalone mystery with its own resolved romance, they share recurring themes, characters, and a continuous timeline. Reading them in order of publication offers the most satisfying experience as you watch the overarching world develop.
The recommended reading order for this series is:
- Undercover Amish (2016) – Follows Detective Olivia Mast, a former Amish woman who returns undercover to her old community in Maine to investigate a murder.
- Amish Under Fire (2018) – Detective Olivia Mast returns to protect a woman fleeing a human trafficking ring.
- Amish Amnesia (2019) – Centers on an undercover detective who loses her memory after a car crash in Amish country and must figure out who she is before her pursuers find her.
- Amish Alias (2020) – A gripping tale of a woman who runs away to an Amish community under an assumed name to escape a corrupt police officer.
- Amish Assassin (2020) – An intense thriller following an assassin who seeks redemption and safety among the Plain people.
- Amish Accident (2022) – A story focused on secrets, recovery, and unexpected romance after a suspicious accident.
- Amish Identity (2022) – A detective tries to piece together a puzzle where identities are hidden, and a quiet community is threatened.
- The Amish Schoolteacher's Escape (2023) – A suspenseful novella following a schoolteacher fleeing imminent danger. (Note: While published later, some readers prefer to read this shorter work as a prequel or side companion).
- Amish Espionage (2024) – Explores undercover investigations involving secrets that reach deep into the community's past.
- Amish Alliance (2024) – A thrilling partnership between detectives and local community members to stop a dangerous threat.
The Amish Fairytale Series
In this series, Ashley Emma takes classic, globally recognized fairytales and translates their core themes, characters, and conflicts into modern Amish settings. Rather than magic, these stories rely on community traditions, faith, and local folklore to mirror the whimsy and lessons of the original tales. They are standalones and can be read in any order, but the publication sequence is as follows:
- Amish Snow White (2020)
- Amish Beauty and the Beast (2020)
- The Princess and the Amish Pauper (2021)
- Amish Aladdin (2022)
- Amish Cinderella (2023)
- Amish Red Riding Hood (2023)
Amish Classics and Bible Stories
In addition to fairytales, Emma has adapted famous literature and biblical events, showing how these timeless conflicts translate to Plain life. Her Bible Stories are set in the real-world Amish community of Unity, Maine, mirroring her own personal experiences living in that area.
Amish Classics Series
- The Amish Gift of the Magi (2023) – A heartwarming holiday story adapting O. Henry's classic tale.
- Amish Romeo and Juliet (2024) – A tale of forbidden love between members of two feuding Amish families.
Amish Bible Story Books
- Hosea and Gomer's Amish Secret (2021)
- Abraham and Sarah's Amish Baby (2021)
- Boaz and Ruth's Amish Love (2022)
- Esther's Amish Bravery (2022)
- The Amish Prodigal Son (2022)
- Joseph's Amish Dream (2022)
Standalone Novels, Novellas, and Anthologies
Ashley Emma's bibliography includes individual projects, standalone novels, and collaborations with other prominent Amish fiction authors. These works can be read at any point in your reading journey without spoiling her major series.
- Finding Forgiveness (2018) – A standalone contemporary romance novel focusing on faith, healing, and moving past tragedy.
- The Amish Author's Christmas (2021) – A cozy holiday novella about writing, love, and community during the Christmas season.
- Amish Christmas Miracles (2020) & More Amish Christmas Miracles (2021) – Multi-author holiday anthologies featuring heartwarming short stories written by Emma alongside other genre writers.
Non-Fiction: The Real-Life Inspiration
To write with authenticity, Ashley Emma spent time living with Amish families in Unity, Maine. Her experiences immersion-studying their culture, recipes, and daily routines inspired several non-fiction books, which are excellent companions for fans wanting to see the real-life basis of her fictional settings.
- Attending an Amish Wedding (2016)
- Fearless Author (2017) – A guide on self-publishing based on her work founding Fearless Publishing House.
- An Outsider Living with the Amish (2019)
- 30 Days of Amish Prayers (2019)
- Legit Work-At-Home Jobs (2019)
- Amish for a Week (2020)