Books On Board
series Reading Order

Charlotte Charlie Cates Books in Order

3 Books
2015 – 2018 Published
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Reading order
01
The Gates of Evangeline
The Gates of Evangeline
2015
Amazon
02
The Shimmering Road
The Shimmering Road
2017
Amazon
03
The Burning Island
The Burning Island
2018
Amazon

How to Read the Charlotte "Charlie" Cates Series

If you want to experience the complete journey of Charlotte "Charlie" Cates, the recommended reading path is simple: follow the publication order. Because Charlie’s personal life, her grief over her deceased son, her relationships, and her growing supernatural abilities evolve chronologically from book to book, reading them in sequence is essential to understanding her character arc.

Charlotte "Charlie" Cates Books in Publication and Chronological Order

Since the publication order matches the story's timeline perfectly, you should read the trilogy in this order:

  1. The Gates of Evangeline (2015) – Set in a haunting Louisiana plantation, where Charlie Cates investigates a decades-old disappearance after experiencing visions of a young boy.
  2. The Shimmering Road (2017) – Set in the Arizona desert, where a pregnant Charlie travels to uncover the truth behind her estranged mother's murder.
  3. The Burning Island (2019) – Set on Hawaii’s Big Island, where Charlie hopes to escape her notoriety but is drawn into the search for a missing teenager.

Key Reading Guidance and Universe Details

Here are some helpful details to keep in mind when starting the series:

  • Where to Start: Always start with The Gates of Evangeline. Jumping into the later books will spoil major developments in Charlie's personal life and family history.
  • Co-authored books or Spin-offs: There are no co-authored books, spin-offs, or short story tie-ins. The series is a self-contained trilogy written solely by Hester Young.
  • Status of the Series: The trilogy is complete, wrapping up Charlie's narrative arc with The Burning Island in 2019. Hester Young has not published any further books in this universe.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Charlotte "Charlie" Cates series?

The recommended reading order is to read the trilogy in publication order, starting with The Gates of Evangeline (2015), followed by The Shimmering Road (2017), and concluding with The Burning Island (2019).

QDoes the chronological order differ from the publication order?

No. The chronological timeline of Charlie's life and her investigations follows the publication order exactly.

QAre there any spin-offs, short stories, or tie-ins in this universe?

No, there are no spin-offs, short stories, or tie-ins. The series consists solely of the three mainline novels.

QIs the Charlotte "Charlie" Cates series complete?

Yes, the series is a completed trilogy, ending with the release of The Burning Island in 2019.

QDid Hester Young co-author any books in this series or use a pseudonym?

No. Hester Young is the sole author of the trilogy and does not write under any pseudonyms for this series.

QWhere is each book in the Charlie Cates series set?

The series features distinct atmospheric settings: The Gates of Evangeline is set in a Louisiana bayou estate, The Shimmering Road in the Arizona borderlands, and The Burning Island on the Big Island of Hawaii.