series Reading Order

Audrey Harte Books in Order

5 Books
2016 – 2018 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Audrey Harte Reading Order

The Audrey Harte series is best read in publication order. Because the narrative relies heavily on Audrey’s evolving relationships, particularly with Jake Tripp, and the gradual unspooling of her dark teenage secrets in Edgeport, Maine, reading the books chronologically is essential to understanding her character arc.

  1. It Takes One (2016)
  2. Two Can Play (2016)
  3. Three Strikes (2017)
  4. Four of a Kind (2018)
  5. Zero Hour (2018)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Unlike some thriller series that jump back and forth in time, the Audrey Harte books follow a straightforward, linear path. The publication order matches the chronological timeline perfectly. Even the final entry, Zero Hour, is a sequel novella rather than a prequel, meaning you do not have to worry about jumping around the timeline.

Spin-Offs and Other Works by Kate Kessler

While Audrey Harte's story is self-contained with no direct crossovers, fans of Kate Kessler's gritty, character-driven thrillers can explore her other works:

  • Killian Delaney Series: Beginning with Seven Crows (2019) and followed by Call of Vultures (2020), this series centers on an ex-convict navigating a dark criminal underworld.
  • Dead Ringer: A standalone psychological thriller published in 2018.
  • Author Pseudonyms: Kate Kessler is a pen name. The author also writes under several other pseudonyms including Kady Cross, Kate Locke, Kate Cross, Kathryn Smith, and Kate McLaughlin, spanning multiple genres from historical romance to steampunk fantasy.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Audrey Harte series?

You should start with the first novel, It Takes One. This book introduces Audrey Harte, her return to her small Maine hometown, and the tragic teenage murder that defines her career and personal struggles.

QIs the Audrey Harte series finished?

Yes. The series concludes with the novella Zero Hour, which was published in 2018 and serves as the final case and wrap-up for Audrey’s story.

QIs Zero Hour a prequel or a sequel?

Zero Hour is a sequel novella. It serves as book 5 in the series and is set after the events of the fourth novel, Four of a Kind.

QDo I need to read the Audrey Harte books in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended. The overarching mystery of Audrey's past, her romance with Jake Tripp, and her career trajectory are continuous subplots that develop from book to book.

QAre there any crossover characters in Kate Kessler's other books?

No. While Kate Kessler writes the Killian Delaney series, it is set in a separate universe and does not feature any crossovers with the Audrey Harte series.

QWhat other names does Kate Kessler write under?

She writes under several pseudonyms, including Kady Cross, Kate Locke, Kate Cross, Kathryn Smith, and Kate McLaughlin.