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series Reading Order

Bree Taggert Books in Order

11 Books
2020 – 2025 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start Reading

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Bree Taggert series in publication order. While each book features a self-contained crime investigation, the overall character development, the evolution of Bree’s relationship with partner Matt Flynn, and the ongoing storyline of raising her late sister's children build sequentially from book to book.

You can start directly with the first full-length novel, Cross Her Heart, which establishes Bree's tragic backstory and her move to Randolph County. Alternatively, you can read the prequel novella, Her Second Death, first to see Bree in her former role as a Philadelphia homicide detective, though reading it in publication order works just as well.

Bree Taggert Books in Publication Order

  • Cross Her Heart (2020)
  • See Her Die (2020)
  • Drown Her Sorrows (2021)
  • Right Behind Her (2021)
  • Her Second Death (Novella, 2021) — Note: This is a prequel novella that can be read first chronologically or after Book 4.
  • Dead Against Her (2022)
  • Lie to Her (2023)
  • Catch Her Death (2023)
  • On Her Watch (2024)
  • Track Her Down (2025)
  • Beyond Her Reach (2025)

Chronological Order Caveats

Chronologically, the series begins with the prequel novella Her Second Death (numbered as Book 0.5), which takes place before Bree leaves Philadelphia to become sheriff in rural upstate New York. However, since the novella was published between Right Behind Her (Book 4) and Dead Against Her (Book 5), reading it in publication order provides a nostalgic look back at her detective days without disrupting the emotional momentum of the main series.

The Shared Universe and Crossovers

The Bree Taggert series is part of a larger shared universe created by Melinda Leigh. It is a spin-off of her earlier Scarlet Falls and Morgan Dane series, which are set in the same fictional region. While you do not need to read those series to understand Bree's stories, you will spot familiar characters crossing over. If you want to read the entire universe in order, start with the Scarlet Falls trilogy, move on to the Morgan Dane series, and then dive into Bree Taggert.

Additionally, Bree Taggert stars in a major crossover novel called Echo Road (2024), co-authored by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. This thriller teams Bree up with Elliot's popular protagonist, FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick. Chronologically, Echo Road takes place between On Her Watch (Book 8) and Track Her Down (Book 9).

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for the Bree Taggert series?

You should start with the first full-length novel, Cross Her Heart (2020). It introduces Bree's backstory, her family situation, and her transition to becoming a small-town sheriff.

QDo I need to read the prequel novella, Her Second Death, first?

No, you do not need to read Her Second Death first. While it is chronologically a prequel set during Bree's time as a Philadelphia detective, it was published after Book 4 (Right Behind Her) and can easily be read at that point in the series.

QWhere does the crossover novel Echo Road fit in the reading order?

The crossover novel Echo Road (2024), co-authored with Kendra Elliot, fits chronologically between Book 8 (On Her Watch) and Book 9 (Track Her Down).

QAre the Bree Taggert books connected to Melinda Leigh's other series?

Yes, the series shares a universe with Melinda Leigh's Morgan Dane and Scarlet Falls books. Characters from those series occasionally make guest appearances in the Bree Taggert novels.

QHow many books are in the Bree Taggert series?

As of late 2025, the series consists of 10 full-length novels, the prequel novella Her Second Death, and the co-authored crossover novel Echo Road.

QIs there a romance in the Bree Taggert series?

Yes, the series features a prominent slow-burn romance between Sheriff Bree Taggert and former investigator/K-9 handler Matt Flynn, which develops gradually alongside the crime-solving plots.