The Recommended Reading Order for Emilia Rosa's Books
For the best reading experience, you should read Emilia Rosa's historical mystery series in its strict chronological and publication order. Because the books follow the life, family, and evolving mysteries of the central protagonist, Cristina, reading them out of sequence will spoil major character developments, relationship arcs, and plot twists.
As of now, the series is a completed trilogy, spanning the years 1924 through 1933. Here is the recommended order to follow:
- Finding Cristina (2021)
- Finding Cristina: A New Life (2022)
- Finding Cristina: Treasures on Earth (2024)
Finding Cristina Books in Detail
1. Finding Cristina (2021)
The journey begins in the dazzling, sun-drenched, yet deeply patriarchal world of 1924 Rio de Janeiro. Following the sudden death of her father, a young woman named Cristina is left facing severe financial hardship and societal pressures. As she struggles to secure her independence, she stumbles upon dark secrets regarding her parentage and true identity. While searching for the truth, Cristina crosses paths with Robert, a British man, sparking a romance that is tested by high-stakes intrigue. Set against the backdrop of early samba, bohemian coffee houses, and moonlit beaches, the novel serves as both a gripping romantic mystery and an evocative portrait of 1920s Brazilian society.
2. Finding Cristina: A New Life (2022)
Picking up directly after the dramatic events of the debut, the second installment finds Cristina and her new husband, Robert, attempting to build a peaceful future. After relocating to New York City, where Cristina gives birth to their son, the young family boards an ocean liner to return to Rio de Janeiro to visit the woman who raised her. However, their homecoming turns perilous. An elusive and highly dangerous adversary begins targeting their family. When Cristina and Robert are forced apart, they must fight to reclaim their identities, protect their child, and find their way back to each other in a city filled with hidden threats.
3. Finding Cristina: Treasures on Earth (2024)
The final chapter of the trilogy jumps forward to 1933. In the wake of the devastating Wall Street Crash, Cristina and her family flee the economic turmoil of the cities, seeking sanctuary on a quiet farm in the southernmost region of Brazil. Their hopes for a peaceful rural life are quickly shattered by a series of suspicious accidents, rumors of a hidden Templar treasure, and a local conspiracy involving a missing child. As the danger hits close to home, Cristina must use all her wits to protect her family and unravel the final threads of the mysteries that have followed her for a decade.
Critical Distinction: Emilia Rosa vs. Emilia Rose
When searching for books by this author, it is crucial not to confuse Emilia Rosa with Emilia Rose. While they share nearly identical names, they write in vastly different genres:
- Emilia Rosa: The author of the Finding Cristina series. She writes clean historical fiction, romantic mystery, and cozy-style detective stories set in historical Brazil, heavily inspired by the Golden Age of mystery.
- Emilia Rose: A popular author of steamy romance, paranormal romance (including werewolf and alpha stories), and dark mafia romance.
If you are looking for historical drama and PG-13 historical romance under the Brazilian sun, make sure the author spelling is Emilia Rosa.
What to Know Before You Start
Emilia Rosa’s writing is heavily inspired by Jane Austen and the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, particularly the works of Agatha Christie. Rather than using rigid outlines, the author prefers to let her stories unfold organically, creating a natural flow of suspense and character interaction.
Although Portuguese is her native language, Rosa writes her novels directly in English. She meticulously infuses the dialogue and descriptions with authentic cultural nuances, Portuguese phrasing, and historical details of Brazil’s architecture, social classes, and music. This makes the books an excellent choice for historical fiction fans looking for settings outside of traditional Victorian England or WWII Europe.
Future Projects and Standalone Status
While the Finding Cristina trilogy has concluded the main narrative arc for Cristina, Emilia Rosa has indicated a strong interest in continuing her writing career with standalone novels in different historical settings. In interviews, she has shared concepts for future stories set in Ancient Egypt and a fictional island in the Caribbean, though she has not yet officially announced her next release date.