Where to Start Reading Fox & O’Hare
If you are planning to dive into the high-stakes, witty world of Nicolas Fox and Kate O’Hare, you have two excellent starting points. The most popular route is to begin with the first full-length novel, The Heist (2013). This book sets up the core status quo of the series: master con artist Nick Fox fakes his recruitment by the FBI, forcing straight-laced Special Agent Kate O'Hare to work with him in an off-the-books partnership to bring down untouchable, wealthy criminals.
However, if you want to see their chemistry spark from the very beginning, you should start with the prequel e-novella, Pros and Cons (2013). Published just a month before the first novel, this quick read shows Kate chasing Nick through a high-profile wedding heist in Chicago, perfectly capturing the cat-and-mouse dynamic that defines their relationship before they are forced to team up.
Fox & O’Hare Reading Order (Chronological & Publication)
Fortunately for readers, the chronological story order of the Fox & O'Hare series almost perfectly aligns with its publication order. The main difference lies in inserting the digital short stories and novellas into the correct slots to ensure you do not miss any character development or side adventures.
- Pros and Cons (May 2013) – Prequel E-Short. Kate O’Hare attempts to intercept Nicolas Fox during an audacious penthouse heist in Chicago. This is their chronologically first major encounter.
- The Caper (June 2013) – Prequel Short Story. Originally published as an exclusive bonus in Barnes & Noble editions of The Heist, this story follows another early encounter in Seattle before they become partners.
- The Heist (June 2013) – Novel #1. The series kick-off. FBI Agent Kate O’Hare is finally close to capturing Nick Fox, only for him to pull off a stunning maneuver: getting himself hired by the FBI as a special consultant under her custody. Together, they target a corrupt investment banker hiding out in Indonesia.
- The Chase (February 2014) – Novel #2. Kate and Nick embark on a global search for a bronze rooster relic stolen from the Summer Palace in Beijing. The trail leads them from the sanctuary of the Smithsonian to the high-roller tables of Macau.
- The Shell Game (October 2014) – E-Short. Positioned between the second and third novels, this short story details a frantic operation involving ancient Peruvian relics, a double-cross, and a high-speed escape.
- The Job (November 2014) – Novel #3. Kate and Nick target a brutal international drug lord. To get close to him, they must pull off a complex scam involving a fake luxury resort and a fictitious film production.
- The Scam (September 2015) – Novel #4. The duo travels to Las Vegas and the private islands of Hawaii to take down a brilliant, ruthless casino mogul who is laundering money for dictators and terrorists.
- The Pursuit (June 2016) – Novel #5. The stakes become personal when a Belgian con man kidnaps Nick Fox. Kate must cross Europe to rescue her partner, leading to a race against time involving stolen art and a global conspiracy.
- The Big Kahuna (June 2019) – Novel #6. The team travels to Hawaii to locate a mysterious billionaire who went missing while paddleboarding. This book marks a major shift in the series' co-authorship.
- The Bounty (March 2021) – Novel #7. Kate and Nick join forces with Kate’s father and a crew of international operatives to track down a legendary treasure stolen by the Nazis, leading to secrets dating back to World War II.
Understanding the Co-Authorship Transitions
One of the most notable aspects of the Fox & O'Hare series is how the creative team changed over time. The series was originally conceived and launched by Janet Evanovich alongside screenwriting veteran Lee Goldberg, known for his work on television crime shows like Monk and Diagnosis Murder. Goldberg’s influence is highly visible in the first five novels and the three short stories, which boast highly intricate, logic-driven caper plots reminiscent of classic heist films like Ocean's Eleven and the TV series White Collar.
Following the release of The Pursuit in 2016, Goldberg and Evanovich parted ways on the series. Goldberg explained that they had written the characters into a creative corner and were also working through negotiations with the publisher. The parting was amicable, allowing Goldberg to focus on his own bestselling Eve Ronin and Ian Ludlow thriller series.
After a three-year hiatus, the series returned with The Big Kahuna in 2019, co-authored by Janet's son, Peter Evanovich. Peter had previously worked behind the scenes as a consultant and editor on his mother's books. Under this new partnership, the series shifted slightly toward a lighter, more character-driven tone with an emphasis on Evanovich’s signature comedic style. For the seventh novel, The Bounty (2021), Janet partnered with Edgar Award-winning thriller author Steve Hamilton, introducing a faster pace and a slightly more suspenseful plot structure.
What to Know Before You Start
To get the most out of Fox & O'Hare, there are a few key elements to keep in mind:
The Dynamic Duo: The core of the series is the chemistry between Kate and Nick. Kate is a former military police officer who does everything by the book, while Nick is a flamboyant thief who treats the entire world as his playground. Their romantic tension is a classic "will-they-won't-they" subplot that keeps readers turning the pages.
The Supporting Cast: One of the breakout stars of the series is Kate's father, Jake O'Hare. A retired Special Forces operative, Jake is always ready with illegal heavy weaponry, tactical advice, and a relaxed attitude toward collateral damage. He often acts as the muscle for Nick's elaborate schemes.
Standalones vs. Continuity: While each book features a self-contained heist that is fully resolved by the final chapter, the relationship between Kate and Nick develops continuously. Reading the books out of order will spoil whether they have crossed the line from professional partners to something more, so following the chronological order is highly recommended.