Reading Order
Emily Maxwellseries.seoTitleShort
Start with Wish You Were Here and continue through all 4 books in the listed reading order.
Start Here
Start with Wish You Were Here
Book 1 by Stewart O'Nan • Published 2002
A year after the death of the family patriarch, the Maxwells gather for one last week at their summer cottage on Lake Chautauqua. Old tensions flare and secrets surface as the widow, Emily, and her adult children conf...
Complete List
Emily Maxwell reading order
Ends with Evensong
- 1
Book 1:Wish You Were Here
Stewart O'Nan • 2002
A year after the death of the family patriarch, the Maxwells gather for one last week at their summer cottage on Lake Chautauqua. Old tensions flare and secrets surface as the widow, Emily, and her adult children conf...
- 2
Book 2:Emily, Alone
Stewart O'Nan • 2011
Now an elderly widow in Pittsburgh, Emily Maxwell learns to navigate life without her husband or grown children nearby. When her sister-in-law suffers a health scare, Emily discovers a surprising reservoir of strength...
- 3
Book 3:Henry, Himself
Stewart O'Nan • 2019
In this prequel to *Wish You Were Here*, we meet Henry Maxwell in 1998, a seventy-five-year-old soldier and engineer looking back on his life. He tries to be a good husband and father while quietly questioning if he h...
- 4
Book 4:Evensong
Stewart O'Nan • 2025
Emily Maxwell and her “Humpty Dumpty Club” of friends support each other through the challenges of aging in Pittsburgh. When their leader is injured, the women rally together, proving that community and friendship are...
Quick Answers
Emily Maxwell FAQ
What is the best order to read the Emily Maxwell series?
The recommended reading order is the numbered order shown on this page, starting with Wish You Were Here.
How many books are in the Emily Maxwell series?
There are 4 books currently listed in the Emily Maxwell series on GurusReads.
Where should I start with the Emily Maxwell series?
New readers should start with Wish You Were Here, the first book in the reading order.
Is the Emily Maxwell series complete?
Based on the publication years we have, the series appears possibly ongoing and spans releases from 2002 to 2025.