Tasha Alexander Books in Order: Lady Emily’s Mysteries from London to the Nile

Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily mysteries combine historical crime, aristocratic society, art, travel, romance, and murder. The series begins in Victorian England but gradually takes Lady Emily Ashton and her husband, Colin Hargreaves, across Europe and beyond.

What makes the series especially appealing is its changing settings. One mystery may unfold in a London mansion, while another takes Emily to Venice, St. Petersburg, Florence, Egypt, or the Scottish Highlands. The mysteries work individually, but Emily’s relationships and personal development make publication order the best way to experience the series.

Lady Emily Books in Order

Tasha Alexander’s official site currently lists 25 Lady Emily titles, including the main novels and shorter stories. The 20 main novels are listed below in publication order, followed by the five shorter stories.

1. And Only to Deceive (2005)

And Only to Deceive introduces Lady Emily Ashton, a young English widow who is still grieving the death of her husband. When evidence suggests that his death may not have been as natural as everyone believed, Emily begins investigating his hidden life.

Her search takes her into the worlds of art, antiquities, aristocratic secrets, and murder. It also establishes the historical atmosphere and intelligent, independent heroine who drive the rest of the series.

2. A Poisoned Season (2007)

In A Poisoned Season, Lady Emily is drawn back into London society, where social invitations and elegant gatherings conceal much darker secrets.

The investigation gives Alexander an opportunity to explore Victorian high society while continuing Emily’s development as an amateur detective. Her growing confidence and complicated relationships become increasingly important to the series.

3. A Fatal Waltz (2008)

A Fatal Waltz takes Emily into another dangerous investigation involving the European aristocracy. A glamorous social world becomes the backdrop for murder, betrayal, and questions of loyalty.

The novel also deepens Emily’s relationship with Colin Hargreaves, adding a stronger romantic and personal dimension to the mystery.

4. Tears of Pearl (2009)

Tears of Pearl moves the action to Constantinople, giving the series one of its most striking settings to date.

Emily’s investigation unfolds among political tensions, cultural differences, and secrets that reach well beyond the English aristocracy. The change of location also demonstrates how Alexander uses history and place as important parts of her mysteries.

5. Dangerous to Know (2010)

In Dangerous to Know, Emily faces another murder investigation while moving through the sophisticated and sometimes treacherous world of European society.

The story continues to develop the partnership between Emily and Colin while exploring the hidden motives behind seemingly respectable people. As the series progresses, Emily becomes increasingly comfortable using her social position and intelligence to uncover the truth.

6. A Crimson Warning (2011)

A Crimson Warning returns Emily to London, where a disturbing discovery leads to an investigation involving secrets buried beneath the city’s respectable surface.

Alexander uses the case to explore Victorian politics, social expectations, and the dangers faced by people who challenge established conventions. Emily’s role as investigator continues to become more confident and independent.

7. Death in the Floating City (2012)

Death in the Floating City takes Emily to Venice, where murder becomes entangled with the city’s history, art, and complicated social world.

Venice is more than a backdrop here. Its canals, architecture, and layers of history become part of the mystery, giving the novel the atmospheric quality that has become one of the trademarks of the Lady Emily series.

8. Behind the Shattered Glass (2013)

Behind the Shattered Glass brings Emily into another case where an apparently privileged setting conceals violence and deception.

The novel continues Alexander’s blend of historical mystery and aristocratic intrigue while giving readers more of Emily and Colin’s evolving relationship. It is a particularly good example of how the series balances a murder investigation with the ongoing story of its central characters.

9. The Counterfeit Heiress (2014)

The Counterfeit Heiress centers on questions of identity, wealth, and deception within the world of the European elite.

Emily must determine what is real and what is carefully constructed fiction as she investigates a crime involving people with plenty to lose. The book also continues the series’ fascination with art, status, and the secrets hidden behind beautiful surroundings.

10. The Adventuress (2015)

In The Adventuress, Emily finds herself involved in another international mystery in which appearances cannot be trusted.

The novel expands the series’ geographical and historical scope while continuing to develop Emily as a detective. By this point, readers are well acquainted with her methods, her marriage to Colin, and the social circles in which she moves.

11. A Terrible Beauty (2016)

A Terrible Beauty takes Lady Emily into a mystery shaped by the aftermath of war, political tensions, and dangerous secrets.

The case gives Alexander room to explore how historical events continue to affect individuals long after the events themselves have ended. Emily’s ability to connect apparently unrelated clues becomes increasingly important.

12. Death in St. Petersburg (2017)

Death in St. Petersburg moves Emily into the Russian imperial world, where she becomes involved in a murder investigation surrounded by political and personal danger.

The setting provides another richly historical environment for the series, while the mystery places Emily among powerful people whose motives are difficult to read.

13. Uneasy Lies the Crown (2018)

Uneasy Lies the Crown continues Emily’s adventures with another case involving aristocratic privilege and dangerous secrets.

The novel maintains the series’ mixture of historical detail, murder, romance, and international intrigue. For readers who have followed Emily from the beginning, her personal development is now as important as the individual mystery.

14. In the Shadow of Vesuvius (2020)

In the Shadow of Vesuvius takes Emily to Italy, where the landscape and history surrounding Mount Vesuvius become part of the atmosphere of the investigation.

The book combines an archaeological and historical backdrop with the familiar Lady Emily formula of secrets, relationships, and murder. It is another example of Alexander using a famous location to shape the mystery itself.

15. The Dark Heart of Florence (2021)

The Dark Heart of Florence brings Emily to Florence, one of Europe’s great cities of art and history.

The beautiful surroundings hide a dangerous investigation, allowing Alexander to combine Renaissance history, art, and murder. Emily’s experience and confidence as an investigator are especially apparent at this stage of the series.

16. Secrets of the Nile (2022)

Secrets of the Nile takes Lady Emily and Colin to Egypt, where another murder draws them into a mystery surrounded by ancient history and modern secrets.

The Egyptian setting gives the novel a very different atmosphere from the earlier London-based stories. Alexander again uses the history and culture of the location to add depth to the central investigation.

17. A Cold Highland Wind (2023)

A Cold Highland Wind brings the series to Scotland, where a remote Highland setting becomes the stage for another murder.

The isolated environment creates a very different kind of mystery from Emily’s earlier urban and international adventures. As usual, the investigation is closely tied to relationships, old secrets, and the social world surrounding the victim.

18. Death by Misadventure (2024)

Death by Misadventure continues Lady Emily’s long-running adventures with another historical mystery.

By this point, Emily has become an experienced investigator, but Alexander continues to place her in situations where appearances are misleading and seemingly respectable people have reasons to hide the truth. The novel is part of the continuing main series rather than a separate spin-off.

19. The Sisterhood (2025)

The Sisterhood is set in London in 1907. When debutante Victoria Goldsborough collapses and dies at her engagement ball, what initially appears to be a tragic death turns into a murder investigation after poison is discovered.

Emily and Colin must determine which member of London’s elite had a motive to kill the young woman. The case involves a fiancé, a rival, a suspicious friend, a gambling suitor, and a jewel thief, giving Emily plenty of suspects to investigate.

20. Murder on the Sacred River (2026)

Murder on the Sacred River is the latest Lady Emily mystery, bringing the series to 20 main novels.

It was released in September 2026 and is currently the newest entry in the series. Readers following the complete Lady Emily storyline should place it after The Sisterhood.

Lady Emily Short Stories in Order

Five shorter works fit into the Lady Emily chronology. They are not necessary to understand the main novels, but readers who want the most complete reading experience can include them.

The Bridal Strain (between A Fatal Waltz and Tears of Pearl)

The Bridal Strain takes place after A Fatal Waltz and before Tears of Pearl. It follows Emily and Colin as they prepare for their wedding on the Greek island of Santorini.

Alexander’s official site describes it as a 3,000-word short story and identifies it as Lady Emily #3.5.

Star of the East (between The Counterfeit Heiress and The Adventuress)

Star of the East is a short Lady Emily story published in 2014. It fits between The Counterfeit Heiress and The Adventuress in the series chronology.

That Silent Night (between The Adventuress and A Terrible Beauty)

That Silent Night is another short story featuring Emily and belongs between The Adventuress and A Terrible Beauty. It adds a smaller seasonal mystery without interrupting the main series.

Amid the Winter’s Snow (between Death in St. Petersburg and Uneasy Lies the Crown)

Amid the Winter’s Snow is a short Lady Emily story placed between Death in St. Petersburg and Uneasy Lies the Crown. It is best treated as supplemental reading rather than a full-length novel.

Upon the Midnight Clear (between Uneasy Lies the Crown and In the Shadow of Vesuvius)

Upon the Midnight Clear is the fifth short Lady Emily story. It sits between Uneasy Lies the Crown and In the Shadow of Vesuvius in the series order.

Complete Lady Emily Reading Order

For readers who want every Lady Emily story, including the shorter works, this is the most useful order:

1. And Only to Deceive (2005)
2. A Poisoned Season (2007)
3. A Fatal Waltz (2008)
4. The Bridal Strain (short story)
5. Tears of Pearl (2009)
6. Dangerous to Know (2010)
7. A Crimson Warning (2011)
8. Death in the Floating City (2012)
9. Behind the Shattered Glass (2013)
10. The Counterfeit Heiress (2014)
11. Star of the East (short story, 2014)
12. The Adventuress (2015)
13. That Silent Night (short story, 2015)
14. A Terrible Beauty (2016)
15. Death in St. Petersburg (2017)
16. Amid the Winter’s Snow (short story)
17. Uneasy Lies the Crown (2018)
18. Upon the Midnight Clear (short story)
19. In the Shadow of Vesuvius (2020)
20. The Dark Heart of Florence (2021)
21. Secrets of the Nile (2022)
22. A Cold Highland Wind (2023)
23. Death by Misadventure (2024)
24. The Sisterhood (2025)
25. Murder on the Sacred River (2026)

The author’s official bibliography supports this overall Lady Emily sequence, while series databases distinguish the five short stories from the 20 main novels.

Tasha Alexander Standalone Books

The Lady Emily mysteries make up the overwhelming majority of Alexander’s fiction, but she has also published two works outside the series.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is a novelization of the 2007 film starring Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I.

Unlike the Lady Emily books, it is a historical novel about a real historical figure rather than an original mystery series. The story focuses on Elizabeth’s position as queen, political threats to her throne, and her relationship with Sir Walter Raleigh.

Christmas Magic (2017)

Christmas Magic is a standalone short work outside the Lady Emily series. It is listed separately from Alexander’s main historical mystery series in publication-order bibliographies.

Should You Read Tasha Alexander’s Books in Order?

For the Lady Emily series, yes.

The individual mysteries have their own plots, so you can technically pick up a later book and follow the investigation. However, Emily’s relationship with Colin, her growing confidence, and the development of their wider circle of friends and acquaintances continue throughout the series.

For that reason, And Only to Deceive remains the strongest starting point. After that, publication order gives you the clearest progression through Emily’s life and investigations.

What Makes the Lady Emily Series Different?

The Lady Emily books sit somewhere between a traditional historical mystery and a grand European adventure.

The series moves beyond Victorian London into places such as Venice, Constantinople, St. Petersburg, Florence, Egypt, and the Scottish Highlands. Alexander also makes art, architecture, history, aristocratic society, and romance important parts of the stories rather than simply using them as background decoration.

For readers who enjoy historical mysteries with strong atmosphere and international settings, the series offers much more variety than its Victorian-London premise initially suggests.

About Tasha Alexander

Tasha Alexander studied English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Notre Dame. Her interest in books and history eventually led to her first novel, And Only to Deceive, which was published in 2005.

She is best known for the long-running Lady Emily series, which has now continued for more than two decades. Her official site describes her as the author of the New York Times bestselling Lady Emily mysteries.

FAQ About Tasha Alexander Books

How many Lady Emily books are there?

There are currently 20 main Lady Emily novels, from And Only to Deceive through Murder on the Sacred River. There are also five shorter Lady Emily stories, bringing the complete Lady Emily bibliography to 25 titles.

What is the first Tasha Alexander book?

And Only to Deceive, published in 2005, is Tasha Alexander’s first novel and the first Lady Emily mystery.

What is the latest Tasha Alexander book?

Murder on the Sacred River is the latest Lady Emily novel, published in 2026. It follows The Sisterhood (2025).

Do the Lady Emily books have to be read in order?

They do not have to be read in order to understand each individual murder case, but publication order is recommended because Emily’s personal life and relationships develop throughout the series.

Who is Lady Emily Ashton?

Lady Emily Ashton is the central character of Tasha Alexander’s historical mystery series. She is an aristocratic woman who becomes involved in murder investigations while moving through the upper-class social world of Victorian and Edwardian Europe.

Who is Colin Hargreaves?

Colin Hargreaves is Lady Emily’s husband and an important character throughout the series. Their relationship develops alongside the mysteries, making the books more than a collection of unrelated murder cases.

Is The Bridal Strain a full-length novel?

No. The Bridal Strain is a short story of approximately 3,000 words and is officially numbered Lady Emily #3.5, placing it between A Fatal Waltz and Tears of Pearl.

What should I read after The Sisterhood?

Read Murder on the Sacred River. It is the next and newest main Lady Emily mystery, published in 2026.

Final Verdict

Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily series is a strong choice for readers who want historical mysteries with elegant settings, murder investigations, romance, and plenty of European atmosphere. The series has grown from And Only to Deceive into a 20-novel mystery journey that now reaches Murder on the Sacred River.

If you are starting the series for the first time, begin with And Only to Deceive and read forward. Add the five short stories along the way if you want the most complete version of Lady Emily’s story.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.