Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blood of the Prodigal | 1999 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 2 | Broken English | 2000 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 3 | Clouds Without Rain | 2001 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 4 | Cast a Blue Shadow | 2003 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 5 | A Prayer for the Night | 2006 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 6 | Separate from the World | 2008 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 7 | Harmless as Doves | 2011 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 8 | The Names of Our Tears | 2013 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 9 | Whiskers of the Lion | 2015 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 10 | Stars for Lydia | 2019 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
| 11 | English Shade | 2020 | P.L. Gaus | Buy |
The Amish-Country Mysteries by P.L. Gaus is an eleven-book series set in Holmes County, Ohio, one of the largest Amish settlements in the United States. The books follow Professor Michael Branden and Sheriff Bruce Robertson as they investigate crimes that touch the local Amish communities. The series ran from 1999 (Blood of the Prodigal) to 2020 (English Shade).
Gaus, who lived in the area for many years and taught college chemistry, brought an insider’s knowledge to the setting. The mysteries deal with conflicts that arise when Amish traditions collide with the outside world, whether through runaway youth, land disputes, or violent crimes that shock a community built on pacifism. Titles like Broken English, Clouds Without Rain, and A Prayer for the Night give a sense of the series’ tone and concerns.
The later books in the series, including Stars for Lydia and English Shade, were published after a gap of several years but maintained the same careful attention to character and setting. Readers who enjoy Amish-themed fiction but want something grounded in realistic mystery rather than romance will find this series a good fit.