The Recommended Reading Order
Because the complex, obsessive relationship between Detective Archie Sheridan and the brilliant serial killer Gretchen Lowell develops continuously across the series, you must read these books in their original publication order. Jumping in mid-series will spoil the major plot twists, character deaths, and shifts in their psychological cat-and-mouse game.
Archie Sheridan & Gretchen Lowell Books in Order
- Heartsick (2007) – Detective Archie Sheridan, who was captured and tortured for ten days by the "Beauty Killer" Gretchen Lowell, must consult his imprisoned torturer to solve a new case.
- Sweetheart (2008) – Gretchen escapes from prison, dragging Archie back into her orbit just as a new body is discovered in Portland's Forest Park.
- Evil at Heart (2009) – Gretchen has been on the run for a year, but her bizarre fan club and a series of fresh murders bring her back into the spotlight.
- The Night Season (2011) – As heavy rains flood Portland, Archie investigates a series of mysterious drownings while Gretchen's influence continues to linger in the background.
- Kill You Twice (2012) – Archie is called to a crime scene in Mount Hood National Forest, where a body has been found bearing Gretchen's signature markings.
- Let Me Go (2013) – Set during Halloween, Archie attempts to move on, but a final confrontation on an island in the Columbia River forces him to face Gretchen once and for all.
Is There a Seventh Book?
Although the series currently ends with Let Me Go, Chelsea Cain has discussed a potential seventh book titled Faint of Heart. She has shared occasional updates and excerpts on her official website, but no official release date has been set, and the book remains unpublished.
Spin-Offs and Connections
While Chelsea Cain is also known for her Kick Lannigan thriller series (beginning with One Kick), there are no character crossovers or shared storylines between Kick and Archie. Both series are set in Portland and deal with the psychological aftermath of severe trauma, but they exist in separate fictional universes.