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Emma Lathen

Bestselling Author • 5 Series • 35 Books

5
Series
35
Books
5
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books
Start with: Banking on Death (1961)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Ben Safford Books
Start with: Murder Sunny Side Up (1968)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Elizabeth Thatcher Books
Start with: Political Murder (1999)

About Emma Lathen

Emma Lathen is the pseudonym that was used by a couple of American authors named Martha Henissart and Mary Jane Latsis for writing mystery and thriller novels. The two were also businesswomen in their professional lives, one working as an economist analyst while the other as an attorney. Mary was born on July 12, 1927 and died on October 29, 1997; while Martha was born in the year 1929. She had received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Mount Holyoke College in the year 1950, with the subject of physics. The two authors met each other at Harvard as graduate students. Under the pen name of Lathen, they have written a number of mystery books starring the main character of Putnam Thatcher. They have described him as a banker on Wall Street. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, Emma Lathen has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Emma Lathen

Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books
24 books 1961–1997
1

Banking on Death

A gripping mystery unfolds in Banking on Death as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1961
2

A Place for Murder

A gripping mystery unfolds in A Place for Murder as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1963
3

Accounting for Murder

A gripping mystery unfolds in Accounting for Murder as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1964
4

Murder Makes the Wheels Go 'Round

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder Makes the Wheels Go 'Round as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1966
5

Death Shall Overcome

A gripping mystery unfolds in Death Shall Overcome as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1966
6

Murder Against the Grain

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder Against the Grain as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1967
7

A Stitch in Time

A Stitch in Time is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1968
8

Come to Dust

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books with Come to Dust, another outstanding contribution from Emma Lathen.

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1968
9

When in Greece

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books with When in Greece, another outstanding contribution from Emma Lathen.

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1969
10

Murder To Go

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder To Go as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1969
11

Pick Up Sticks

Pick Up Sticks is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1970
12

Ashes to Ashes

Ashes to Ashes continues the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books story arc with Emma Lathen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1971
13

The Longer the Thread

The Longer the Thread is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1971
14

Murder Without Icing

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder Without Icing as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1972
15

Sweet and Low

Sweet and Low is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1974
16

By Hook or by Crook

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books with By Hook or by Crook, another outstanding contribution from Emma Lathen.

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1975
17

Double, Double, Oil and Trouble

Double, Double, Oil and Trouble is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1978
18

Going for the Gold

Going for the Gold is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1980
19

Green Grow the Dollars

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books with Green Grow the Dollars, another outstanding contribution from Emma Lathen.

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1982
20

Something in the Air

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books with Something in the Air, another outstanding contribution from Emma Lathen.

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1988
21

East Is East

East Is East is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1991
22

Right on the Money

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books with Right on the Money, another outstanding contribution from Emma Lathen.

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1993
23

Brewing Up a Storm

Brewing Up a Storm is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1996
24

A Shark Out of Water

A Shark Out of Water continues the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books story arc with Emma Lathen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1997
Publication Order of Ben Safford Books
7 books 1968–1983
1

Murder Sunny Side Up

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder Sunny Side Up as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Ben Safford Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1968
2

Murder in High Place

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder in High Place as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Ben Safford Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1970
3

There Is No Justice

There Is No Justice continues the Publication Order of Ben Safford Books story arc with Emma Lathen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1971
4

Epitaph for a Lobbyist

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Ben Safford Books with Epitaph for a Lobbyist, another outstanding contribution from Emma Lathen.

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1974
5

Murder Out of Commission

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder Out of Commission as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Ben Safford Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1976
6

The Attending Physician

The Attending Physician is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Ben Safford Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1980
7

Unexpected Developments

Unexpected Developments is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Ben Safford Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Emma Lathen have come to expect.

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1983
Publication Order of Elizabeth Thatcher Books
2 books 1999–2016
1

Political Murder

A gripping mystery unfolds in Political Murder as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Elizabeth Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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1999
2

Dot Com Murder

A gripping mystery unfolds in Dot Com Murder as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Elizabeth Thatcher Books series showcases Emma Lathen's mastery of suspense.

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2016
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
1 books 2016–2016
1

Whatever Happened to Emma Lathen?

Whatever Happened to Emma Lathen? continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Emma Lathen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2016
Publication Order of Anthologies
1 books 1977–1977
1

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Emma Lathen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1977

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Emma Lathen?

Emma Lathen is a bestselling author known for 5 book series containing over 35 books. Popular series include Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books, Publication Order of Ben Safford Books, Publication Order of Elizabeth Thatcher Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Emma Lathen series to start with?

For readers new to Emma Lathen's work, the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 24 books. Begin with Banking on Death to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Emma Lathen written?

Emma Lathen has written over 35 books across 5 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Emma Lathen books in order?

Yes, reading Emma Lathen's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Emma Lathen write in?

Emma Lathen writes primarily in fiction. With 5 series across 35 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Emma Lathen's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Emma Lathen's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Emma Lathen's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Emma Lathen's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of John Putnam Thatcher Books series. The first book, Banking on Death, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.