Where to Start with Emily Kimelman
Emily Kimelman is best known for her high-octane vigilante series, the Sydney Rye Mysteries. If you want to jump into her writing, the absolute best starting point is Unleashed (2011), the book that introduces Joy Humbolt—a New York City dog walker who undergoes a radical transformation into the ruthless vigilante Sydney Rye, accompanied by her giant, protective rescue dog, Blue. Because the series features continuous character growth, evolving personal relationships, and ongoing plot arcs, readers are strongly advised to follow the publication order for the main series.
For readers who want to sample different sides of Kimelman's storytelling, there are other avenues. You can explore her post-apocalyptic romantic thrillers co-authored with Toby Neal (the Scorch series) or dive into her paranormal romance work written under her pen name, Emily Reed (The Kiss Chronicles).
The Sydney Rye Mysteries in Publication Order
The Sydney Rye Mysteries follow Joy Humbolt / Sydney Rye and her canine partner, Blue. The series is gritty and unapologetic, mixing hard-boiled detective fiction with intense action. Reading these books in the order they were published ensures you follow Sydney's emotional evolution and the unfolding conspiracy that surrounds her vigilante activities.
- Unleashed (2011) – Joy Humbolt is a dog walker in NYC who gets dragged into a murder investigation after one of her clients is killed. Joy adopts Blue and starts her journey toward becoming Sydney Rye.
- Death in the Dark (2012) – Sydney is living under a new identity, trying to stay off the radar, but she is soon drawn back into a dangerous web of crime to protect those she cares about.
- Insatiable (2012) – Taking Sydney from the streets of London to the sunny, dangerous landscapes of Mexico, she investigates a missing person case that turns deadly.
- Strings of Glass (2013) – Sydney travels to India, where she confronts the brutal realities of human trafficking and deep-seated local corruption.
- The Devil's Breath (2014) – A fast-paced mystery that pushes Sydney to her limits as she battles a deadly conspiracy in the humid heat of Miami.
- Inviting Fire (2014) – Sydney faces new threats as the consequences of her vigilante justice catch up with her and those she loves.
- Shadow Harvest (2015) – The stakes rise as Sydney takes her fight to the jungle, investigating a mystery that leads back to corporate greed and violence.
- The Girl With The Gun (2016) – Sydney is forced to confront her past and make difficult moral choices to protect her future.
- In Sheep's Clothing (2017) – Infiltrating a dangerous cult, Sydney must hide her true nature while planning a daring rescue.
- Flock of Wolves (2018) – Sydney confronts a powerful syndicate that threatens to destroy everything she has built.
- Betray The Lie (2019) – Sydney goes undercover to expose a network of lies, finding herself pushed to the absolute edge of her moral boundaries.
- Savage Grace (2019) – A high-stakes adventure where Sydney must balance her desire for vengeance with her need for justice.
- Blind Vigilance (2020) – Sydney is forced to operate in the dark, relying on her instincts and Blue's sharp senses to survive a deadly game.
- Fatal Breach (2021) – The pressure builds as Sydney deals with a massive security breach that puts her allies directly in the crosshairs.
- Undefeated (2022) – Sydney Rye fights to protect her family and legacy against a relentless new enemy.
- Relentless (2023) – The sixteenth installment finds Sydney facing deep personal challenges and international threats.
- Jagged Truth (2023) – Evolving secrets come to light, forcing Sydney to make alliances she never thought possible.
- Brutal Mercy (2024) – The latest entry in the series, continuing the gritty, fast-paced saga of vengeance and survival.
The Starstruck Thrillers
For readers looking for a slightly different kind of thriller, Kimelman wrote the Starstruck Thrillers. This series follows Angela, a talented actress whose life becomes tangled with espionage, political danger, and murder.
- A Spy Is Born (2019)
The Scorch Series (Co-Authored with Toby Neal)
Co-authored with bestselling author Toby Neal (and written under Emily Kimelman's pen name, Emily Reed), the Scorch series is a post-apocalyptic romantic thriller series set in a world collapsing from a pandemic. The books follow characters navigating survival and love on the road.
- Scorch Road (2019)
- Cinder Road (2019)
- Smoke Road (2019)
- Burnt Road (2019)
- Flame Road (2019)
- Smolder Road (2019)
The Kiss Chronicles (Written as Emily Reed)
Under her Emily Reed pen name, Kimelman also wrote the Kiss Chronicles, a series of paranormal romance novels that focus on secrets, magic, and romantic suspense.
- Lost Secret (2019)
- Dark Secret (2019)
- Stolen Secret (2020)
What to Know Before You Start
Emily Kimelman's books, particularly the Sydney Rye Mysteries, contain significant descriptions of violence, mature themes, and strong language. They are not light, cozy mysteries; rather, they are hard-boiled thrillers that explore the gray areas of morality and vigilante justice. The relationship between Sydney and her dog, Blue, is a core emotional pillar of the series, drawing directly on Kimelman's real-life experiences as a dog walker in New York City and her bond with her rescue dog, Nova.