Ami McKay Books In Order Of Release

If you love lush historical fiction laced with feminism, folklore, and a touch of the mystical, chances are you’ve already fallen under the spell of Canadian author Ami McKay. Her novels blend impeccable research with unforgettable characters and just enough magic to make your heart race.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or you just finished The Birth House and thought, “I need more!”, this is the ultimate guide to reading Ami McKay’s books in the best order — including publication order, chronological story order, and our recommended reading sequence.

Who Is Ami McKay?

Ami McKay is the award-winning, bestselling author of The Birth House, The Virgin Cure, The Witches of New York, and more. Born and raised in rural Indiana, she now lives in Nova Scotia — a move that clearly inspired the wild, windswept settings of her novels. Her writing has been described as “Anne Shirley meets Outlander with a feminist twist,” and once you read her, you’ll never forget her name.

List Of Ami McKay Books In Order by Year

Ami McKay’s Complete Book List (In Publication Order)

Here’s every novel and novella in the exact order they were released:

1. The Birth House (2006) → McKay’s breakout debut and still her most beloved book. Set in WW1-era Nova Scotia, it follows Dora Rare, a young midwife who inherits an ancient birthing house and fights to keep traditional women’s medicine alive against the rise of modern obstetrics. Winner of multiple awards and a #1 Canadian bestseller.
2. The Virgin Cure (2011) → A haunting companion to The Birth House. This time, we’re in 1870s Lower Manhattan, following 12-year-old Moth, a girl sold into servitude who faces the dangerous myth of the “virgin cure” for syphilis. Dark, beautiful, and impossible to put down.
3. The Witches of New York (2016) → The first book in McKay’s “Witches” duology. New York City, 1880. Three very different women — a tea shop owner with second sight, a skeptical spiritualist, and a young girl discovering her powers — come together in a world that fears female magic.
4. Half Spent Was the Night (2018) → Book 2 in the Witches of New York series (a Christmas novella). Set during the winter solstice, our witches face ancient forces while Manhattan celebrates the season—perfect cozy-but-spooky holiday reading.
5. Daughter of Family G (2019) → A deeply personal medical memoir about discovering — at age 47 — that she carries the same genetic mutation that killed her mother and grandmother. Raw, brave, and surprisingly uplifting.
6. Jerusalem (2024) → McKay’s newest novel and an instant bestseller. A multi-generational saga set in early 20th-century Nova Scotia about a young woman who inherits a mysterious orchard said to be the original Garden of Eden. Expect secrets, forbidden love, and a dash of biblical myth.

Recommended Reading Order (Best Experience)

While all of Ami McKay’s books can be read as standalone novels, here’s the order most fans (and I) recommend:

1. The Birth House
2. The Virgin Cure (loosely connected through themes and a cameo)
3. The Witches of New York
4. Half Spent Was the Night (direct sequel)
5. Jerusalem (latest and completely standalone)
6. Daughter of Family G (save the memoir for last — it hits differently when you already love her voice)

Books by Ami McKay – Quick Reference Table

Where to Start If You’re New to Ami McKay

• Want something warm and empowering? → Start with The Birth House
• Love dark Victorian vibes? → Jump straight to The Virgin Cure
• Craving witches and tea shops? → Begin the duo with The Witches of New York
• In the mood for her newest masterpiece? → Jerusalem is perfect right now

Final Thoughts

Ami McKay doesn’t just write historical fiction — she resurrects forgotten women’s stories and hands them back to us glowing with power. Six books in, and every single one feels like a gift.

So light a candle, brew some tea (maybe from Tea & Sympathy, the witches’ shop?), and dive in. Once you read one Ami McKay novel, you’ll want them all — in order.

Happy reading, book dragons! 🕯️✨

Which Ami McKay book is your favorite? Drop it in the comments — I’m always looking for new reasons to re-read!