Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Order
For the most satisfying experience, we recommend reading the Beartooth, Montana books in chronological order, which places the prequel novella first. This introduces you to the town's key players and sets up the small-town dynamics before the full-length mysteries begin.
- Fallen (Prequel Novella, 2012) – Clete Reynolds returns home with an injury, catching the eye of Bethany Gates while a rival harbors a dangerous secret.
- Unforgiven (Book 1, 2012) – High school sweethearts Destry Grant and Rylan West are thrown back together when a murder investigation reopens.
- Redemption (Book 2, 2013) – Jack French arrives in Beartooth searching for answers, only to fall for Kate LaFond, a woman running from her past.
- Forsaken (Book 3, 2013) – A cold case heats up as family secrets are exposed in the heart of the Montana wilderness.
- Atonement (Book 4, 2014) – Sheriff Dillon Lawson hunts for his missing twin brother while wrestling with his feelings for Tessa Winters.
- Mercy (Book 5, 2014) – U.S. Marshal Rourke Kincaid is hot on the trail of a serial killer, but his focus is tested by Callie Westfield.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
The chronological order is nearly identical to the publication order, with one minor detail. The prequel novella, Fallen, was published in November 2012, right around the time Unforgiven launched. While you can read the first full novel Unforgiven first, starting with the prequel Fallen gives you a smoother entry point to the town's atmosphere.
The Next Stop: The Montana Hamiltons Spin-Off
If you finish the core series and want to stay in Beartooth, B.J. Daniels wrote a direct spin-off series called The Montana Hamiltons starting in 2015. Set in the same town, it follows the prominent Hamilton family. The recommended reading order for the spin-off is:
- Wild Horses (2015)
- Lone Rider (2015)
- Lucky Shot (2015)
- Hard Rain (2016)
- Into Dust (2016)
- Honor Bound (2016)