The Maxine Revere Reading Order at a Glance
Allison Brennan’s Max Revere series is a fast-paced, suspenseful ride following an investigative reporter with a passion for solving cold cases. Because the series was published in chronological order, following the publication timeline is the most straightforward way to read these thrillers. Here is the complete order of the books and novellas:
- Maximum Exposure (2014) – Prequel Novella (Book 0.5)
- Notorious (2014) – Novel (Book 1)
- Compulsion (2015) – Novel (Book 2)
- Poisonous (2016) – Novel (Book 3)
- Two to Die For (2017) – Novella Collection (Includes "Retired", Book 3.5)
- Shattered (2017) – Novel (Book 4 / Lucy Kincaid Crossover)
- Abandoned (2018) – Novel (Book 5)
Who is Max Revere?
Maxine "Max" Revere is a fiercely independent, nationally renowned investigative journalist. Unlike traditional law enforcement officers or private eyes, Max uses her popular television show, Maximum Exposure, as a platform to investigate cold cases that the police have long abandoned. She is stubborn, highly analytical, and possesses a sharp tongue, but she is also driven by a deep sense of empathy for the victims left behind. Rather than sticking to standard police procedures, Max uses public records, interviews, and media pressure to extract confessions and force authorities to reopen forgotten cases. Her background is defined by personal tragedy, specifically the unresolved disappearance of her mother when Max was just nine years old, which serves as her ultimate motivation to seek justice for others.
Detailed Breakdown of the Max Revere Series
Maximum Exposure (2014)
This prequel novella is set two years before the events of Notorious. In it, Max travels to Colorado Springs to search for a missing college student. The investigation leads her into a dangerous search-and-rescue mission in the rugged Rocky Mountains. Beyond the mystery, this story provides essential background on how Max originally launched her investigative career and secured her hit television show.
1. Notorious (2014)
The first full-length novel in the series brings Max back to her hometown in California. She is determined to investigate the cold-case murder of her former high school classmate, a crime that the local police quickly swept under the rug. Reopening this investigation stirs up long-buried secrets, pitting Max against powerful local figures and her own estranged family members who want the past to remain buried.
2. Compulsion (2015)
In the second novel, Max heads to New York City to look into a series of murders and the disappearance of an elderly retired couple. She begins to suspect a connection between these recent events and an incarcerated man who is currently standing trial for five other killings. Max must figure out if the killer acted alone or if there is a silent partner still free and operating in the shadows.
3. Poisonous (2016)
This installment finds Max investigating the suspicious death of a teenage girl who fell to her death from a cliff along the California coast. While local authorities quickly ruled the death a suicide, Max believes there is a more sinister explanation. As she digs into the teenager's life, she discovers a web of cyberbullying, family dysfunction, and greed that someone wanted kept secret at all costs.
Retired (Novella in "Two to Die For", 2017)
Frequently designated as Book 3.5, this novella is published in the dual-author bind-up Two to Die For. Max is contacted by her elderly friend, Lois Kershaw, who suspects foul play behind a series of sudden deaths at the Del Sol Retirement Community in Miami. Max goes undercover as Lois's granddaughter, exposing a deadly conspiracy targeting vulnerable seniors.
4. Shattered (2017)
The fourth novel is a landmark entry in the series, serving as the first major crossover with Allison Brennan's FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid. When a friend begs Max to help clear his wife of their son's murder, Max uncovers a serial kidnapper who has been active for twenty years. To solve it, she is forced to team up with Lucy Kincaid, who has her own personal connection to the cold case due to the historical murder of her nephew.
5. Abandoned (2018)
The final novel in the series is Max's most personal investigation. For decades, Max has wondered what happened to her mother, Martha, who walked out on her when Max was nine years old. Following a tip pointing to her mother's abandoned vehicle in a small town on the Chesapeake Bay, Max uncovers con artists, art theft, and the ultimate truth of what happened to Martha, bringing a definitive resolution to the series.
The Kincaid-Revere Crossover Universe
Allison Brennan’s thrillers exist within a shared universe, and characters frequently cross paths. The connection between Max Revere and FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid is the most prominent. While they first team up in the Max Revere novel Shattered, the crossover continues in the Lucy Kincaid series. In the 16th Lucy Kincaid novel, Cut and Run (2020), Max Revere travels to San Antonio to assist Lucy and the local police department on a complex case that threatens them both. Additionally, the collection Two to Die For contains two individual novellas: "Spiral" (a Lucy Kincaid story) and "Retired" (a Max Revere story), making it a great transitional book for fans of both series.
Chronological vs. Publication Order: Where to Start?
Because the chronological order and publication order align perfectly, finding the best starting point is simple. Readers have two excellent options:
- Option A: Start with the Prequel (Maximum Exposure). This gives you the chronological beginning of Max's career and shows how she got her television show before she returns to her hometown in Notorious.
- Option B: Start with the first novel (Notorious). This is how most readers originally experienced the series. You get introduced to the core conflicts and characters at the height of Max's career, and you can read the prequel novella as a flashback at any point.
What to Know Before You Start
The Max Revere series is known for its intense pacing, intricate plot twists, and focus on the psychological impact of cold cases. Because Maxine is a journalist rather than a law enforcement officer, she must rely heavily on her wits, research skills, and public pressure to solve crimes. This creates a unique dynamic where she is frequently in conflict with local police departments who resent her interference. It is also worth noting that the series reaches a clear and satisfying conclusion in the fifth novel, Abandoned, which resolves the overarching mystery of Max's mother. However, Max's story continues to influence the broader Allison Brennan universe, particularly through her guest appearances in the Lucy Kincaid books.