How to Read the Carlie Simmons Series in Order
Written by survival expert J.T. Sawyer (the pen name of Tony Nester), the Carlie Simmons series is a fast-paced, five-book post-apocalyptic saga. Because the overarching narrative follows a direct, continuous storyline, the recommended reading path is to read the books in their chronological order, which matches their publication order.
Publication & Chronological Order
- Until Morning Comes (2014) – Carlie Simmons is in Tucson, Arizona, when a catastrophic virus transforms citizens into flesh-eating mutants. Tasked with protecting the President's spoiled daughter, Eliza, Carlie must lead a desperate escape from the crumbling city.
- In Too Deep (2015) – As the team seeks the origins of the virus, the path leads them from the deserts of the Southwest to dangerous international waters and Cold War-era secrets.
- The Way Back (2015) – The fight for survival expands to the Caribbean. While Carlie struggles against hostile factions at sea, Eliza fights her own battle for survival in the wilderness of Idaho.
- The Gathering Darkness (2015) – Carlie and her crew face increasingly intelligent, coordinated mutant variants that push their combat and survival skills to the absolute limit.
- One Final Mission (2015) – The high-stakes finale takes the team across the globe to Japan for their most dangerous assignment yet.
Reading Guidance & Tips
Since the series is highly episodic but maintains a strict timeline, skipping any volume will leave you missing key character development—especially Eliza's evolution from a pampered first daughter to a battle-hardened survivalist. For readers who prefer to binge, J.T. Sawyer has also released the complete series in collected boxed sets.