Forensic Instincts Books in Order

How to Read the Forensic Instincts Series

Andrea Kane's thrilling Forensic Instincts series follows an eclectic, highly specialized team of private investigators who handle cases that traditional law enforcement cannot—or will not—touch. Led by behaviorist Casey Woods, the team blends cutting-edge technology, forensic psychology, tactical military experience, and intuitive insights to solve complex crimes. Because the relationships, personal histories, and romantic dynamics between the characters develop incrementally across the series, reading the books in publication order is highly recommended for the best experience.

The Recommended Forensic Instincts Reading Order

Here is the complete list of the Forensic Instincts novels and novellas in their recommended reading order:

1. The Girl Who Disappeared Twice (2011) — The book that started it all. Casey Woods and her newly formed team are hired by a desperate judge to find his kidnapped daughter. They must unravel a web of family secrets while establishing the boundaries of their unorthodox agency.
2. Lockdown (2012 / 2016) — A crucial novella (often labeled as book #1.5) originally published in the Love Is Murder anthology. When a beachfront Hawaiian wedding is taken hostage by a gunman, Claire Hedgleigh and the rest of the team must coordinate a rescue, marking their first crossover partnership with FBI agents Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker.
3. The Line Between Here and Gone (2012) — Amanda Gleason's infant son needs a life-saving transplant from his father, Paul—who was supposedly murdered. When a photo suggests Paul is still alive, the team dives into a dangerous conspiracy to find him.
4. The Stranger You Know (2013) — The stakes become deeply personal when a ruthless serial killer begins targeting victims linked to Casey Woods' own past, forcing the team to work overtime to protect their leader.
5. The Silence That Speaks (2015) — Madeline Westfield, a surgical nurse, becomes the target of a killer after an administrator dies during a routine procedure. Marc Devereaux steps up to protect Madeline, with whom he shares a complicated history.
6. The Murder That Never Was (2016) — A chance meeting between two women leads to one dying and the other becoming a fugitive. The survivor turns to Forensic Instincts to expose a medical research conspiracy and survive a relentless hunt.
7. A Face to Die For (2017) — The team is hired to investigate a mystery involving identity theft and hidden agendas, where appearances are deceiving and the target is willing to kill to keep their secrets.
8. Dead in a Week (2020) — When a college student is kidnapped in Germany, her father is given seven days to hand over proprietary technology. The Forensic Instincts team partners with the Zermatt Group—an elite tactical unit led by Marc's brother, Aidan Deveraux—in a global race against time.
9. No Stone Unturned (2020) — Jewelry designer Fiona McKay (sister of team member Ryan McKay) is targeted after her friend is murdered. The team faces off against international mercenaries and former IRA operatives searching for a hidden Irish treasure.
10. At Any Cost (2022) — Aimee Bregman’s mentor is murdered, exposing a dark underbelly within a successful CBD-beer company. Forensic Instincts must dissect a serial killer's twisted logic to save their client.
11. Struck Dead (2024) — A wealthy businessman is murdered, and in his final moments, he writes Casey Woods' name in his own blood. The team must clear Casey's name while navigating a deadly trap set by a vengeful killer.
12. Life or Death (2026) — After an FBI agent is assassinated and his wife vanishes, the team is hired to protect their young daughter. The case hits close to home as the deceased agent is Ryan McKay's cousin, bringing the team into direct conflict with a hostile FBI.

Meet the Forensic Instincts Team

The core appeal of the series lies in its vibrant, diverse cast of characters who function like an unconventional family. Understanding who is who helps readers appreciate their team dynamics:

• Casey Woods: The founder and president of Forensic Instincts. A brilliant behavioral specialist, her keen intuition and understanding of criminal psychology guide the team’s strategy.
• Marc Devereaux: Casey's second-in-command. A former Navy SEAL and FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit operative, Marc provides tactical leadership and physical security.
• Ryan McKay: The team's chief technology officer. A techno-wizard capable of accessing closed databases and tracing digital footprints, Ryan ensures the team always has the intelligence advantage.
• Claire Hedgleigh: The team's administrative coordinator who possesses claircognizant abilities. Though she resists the label of 'psychic,' her sudden intuitive flashes often provide breakthroughs in cases.
• Emma Stirling: A reformed former pickpocket whose lock-picking and physical infiltration skills make her invaluable for covert operations.
• Hero: A highly trained bloodhound who serves as the team's human-scent-evidence specialist, tracking targets across difficult terrain.

The Connected Universe: Sloane Burbank & Zermatt Group

Readers looking to fully explore Andrea Kane's suspense universe should keep two companion series in mind. First, the Sloane Burbank (Burbank & Parker) series consists of two novels: Twisted (2008) and Drawn in Blood (2009). Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker exist in the same universe and crossover with the Forensic Instincts team in the novella Lockdown and are referenced in books like No Stone Unturned. Second, the Zermatt Group, led by Marc’s brother Aidan Deveraux, plays a major role in Dead in a Week, blending espionage and military action into the team's typical investigative work.

Practical Reader Advice

While each book resolves its central mystery, reading out of order will spoil character relationships, especially the evolving romance between Casey and Marc and the integration of Emma Stirling into the team. If you want a quick taste of the series before committing to all eleven books, starting with The Girl Who Disappeared Twice is essential. The novellas and crossovers can be read alongside the main novels but are not strictly mandatory to understand the plot of individual books.