Carter Ross Books in Order

How to Read the Carter Ross Series

If you want to experience Carter Ross's career at the fictional Newark Eagle-Examiner the way most fans did, the best path is to read the books in publication order. The series begins with the award-winning Faces of the Gone, which introduces Carter's sharp wit, Newark's gritty streets, and the colorful newsroom crew. Starting here allows you to see the characters and writing style develop naturally.

However, if you prefer a strictly chronological reading order, you should start with the prequel short story, The Nightgown. This 32-page prequel is set before the events of the first novel and shows a 24-year-old Carter trying to secure his job at the paper.

Carter Ross Books in Publication Order

The series was published between 2009 and 2015, spanning six novels and one prequel short story. Reading in this order is highly recommended for the best character progression:

1. Faces of the Gone (2009)
2. Eyes of the Innocent (2011)
3. The Nightgown (2012) — Prequel novella / short story
4. The Girl Next Door (2012)
5. The Good Cop (2013)
6. The Player (2014)
7. The Fraud (2015)

Carter Ross Books in Chronological Order

For readers who want to follow Carter's journey from his very first assignment at the newspaper to the end of the series, follow this timeline:

1. The Nightgown (2012) — Prequel short story
2. Faces of the Gone (2009)
3. Eyes of the Innocent (2011)
4. The Girl Next Door (2012)
5. The Good Cop (2013)
6. The Player (2014)
7. The Fraud (2015)

Spin-offs, Co-authored Books, and Crossovers

Unlike many long-running crime franchises, the Carter Ross universe is entirely contained. Brad Parks has not written any spin-offs, crossovers with other characters, or co-authored entries. After completing the final novel, The Fraud, in 2015, Parks transitioned to writing standalone domestic thriller novels such as Say Nothing and Closer Than You Know.