Books On Board
series Reading Order

Carly Moore Books in Order

7 Books
2019 – 2022 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

How to Read the Carly Moore Series

The Carly Moore series is a fast-paced blend of romantic suspense, cozy mystery, and small-town conspiracy written by Denise Grover Swank. Set in the beautiful but dangerous Smoky Mountains, the series follows Carly, a former grade school teacher on the run, who assumes a new identity and gets caught up in the local drama of Drum, Tennessee.

Because the series has a continuous, overarching plot that tracks Carly's flight from her past and her growing romance with Deputy Marco Roland, the books must be read in publication order. Skipping books will leave you lost regarding key relationship milestones and the resolution of the town's central conspiracies.

Carly Moore Books in Order

  1. A Cry in the Dark (2019) – Carly is stranded in Drum and witnesses a murder, forcing her to choose between running again or helping solve the crime.
  2. Her Scream in the Silence (2020) – Carly investigates a local disappearance, deepening her ties to the town.
  3. One Foot in the Grave (2020) – A cold case linked to Carly's ex brings her past dangerously close.
  4. Buried in Secrets (2020) – The threats mount as Carly struggles to keep her secrets safe.
  5. The Lies She Told (2021) – Carly investigates a friend's suspicious death, exposing further corruption in the sheriff's department.
  6. Shades of Truth (2021) – Carly goes head-to-head with Bart Drummond, the town's corrupt patriarch.
  7. Keeper of Secrets (2022) – The final, explosive book in the series that resolves Carly's overarching story.

The Rose Gardner Universe Connection

For readers wondering how Carly Moore fits into the broader Denise Grover Swank bibliography, the series is a spinoff set in the popular Rose Gardner universe. Specifically, it takes place after the events of Rose Gardner Investigations.

Here are a few quick tips on how to handle the connection:

  • Standalone Start: You do not need to read any Rose Gardner books to fully enjoy Carly's story. Carly Moore's timeline stands on its own and is set in a completely different location.
  • The Final Crossover: The seventh and final book, Keeper of Secrets, features a significant crossover with Rose Gardner characters. Fans of the original books will recognize appearances by Skeeter, Carter Hale, Jed, and Neely Kate, who help tie the two worlds together. A special crossover bonus chapter was also released for this book.
  • Safe Order Recommendation: If you are planning a full universe binge, read the Rose Gardner Mystery series and Rose Gardner Investigations first to fully appreciate the references in the final book, though it is not strictly necessary.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for Carly Moore?

You should read the series in publication order, starting with A Cry in the Dark and ending with Keeper of Secrets. The storyline is highly linear and serial.

QDo I need to read the Rose Gardner books first?

No. Carly Moore is a standalone spinoff. While reading Rose Gardner first provides fun background context, Carly's story is entirely self-contained.

QIs the Carly Moore series complete?

Yes. The series concludes with the seventh book, Keeper of Secrets, which was published in 2022.

QWho is Carly Moore fleeing from?

Carly is running from her corrupt family and their criminal syndicate, which leads her to hide under a fake identity in Drum, Tennessee.

QWhich characters crossover in the final Carly Moore book?

In Keeper of Secrets, characters from the Rose Gardner universe—including Skeeter, Carter Hale, Jed, and Neely Kate—cross over to assist Carly.

QIs there a romance in the Carly Moore series?

Yes. The romantic tension and developing relationship between Carly and Deputy Marco Roland is a major plot thread throughout the series.