What to Know Before You Start the Mindhunters Series
Before you dive into Kylie Brant's gripping series, it is helpful to understand the setup. The series revolves around Raiker Forensics, a elite private agency of top-tier criminologists and forensic specialists led by the legendary former FBI profiler Adam Raiker. Unlike standard police procedurals, the "Mindhunters" team includes an array of highly specialized experts—ranging from forensic linguists and anthropologists to psychic profilers and parapsychologists. They are called in by local and federal law enforcement agencies across North America when cases become too complex or bizarre for standard methods.
A common point of confusion is the name: Kylie Brant's Mindhunters series is entirely unrelated to the non-fiction book Mindhunter by John E. Douglas or the popular Netflix television adaptation. Brant's books are fictional romantic suspense thrillers, blending detailed, gritty forensic science with high-stakes mystery and intense emotional and romantic relationships between the lead characters. While each novel focuses on a different couple solving a self-contained case, there is a loose overarching continuity regarding the agency, its founder Adam Raiker, and recurring side characters. Therefore, reading the series in order is highly recommended to fully appreciate the character development and changing team dynamics.
Mindhunters Books in Recommended Reading Order
Since the timeline of the cases and the evolution of the Raiker Forensics team progress chronologically with their release, the publication order is the absolute best way to read the series. Below is the complete list of the Mindhunters books in order, including the latest additions:
- Waking Nightmare (2009)
- Waking Evil (2009)
- Waking the Dead (2009)
- Deadly Intent (2010)
- Deadly Dreams (2011)
- Deadly Sins (2011)
- Secrets of the Dead (2015)
- What the Dead Know (2015)
- Deep as the Dead (2017)
- Guilty as Sin (2025)
A Closer Look at the Mindhunters Cases
1. Waking Nightmare (2009)
The series kicks off in Savannah, Georgia. Brilliant forensic profiler Abbie Phillips is called in to help Savannah detective Ryne Robel track down a sadistic serial rapist. The perpetrator is uniquely cruel: he researches his victims to exploit their deepest, most intimate psychological fears. Ryne is initially highly skeptical of Abbie's behavioral science methods, but as they are drawn into the killer's crosshairs, they must work together and confront their building attraction to survive.
2. Waking Evil (2009)
Set in the small town of Buffalo Springs, Tennessee, this installment focuses on forensic investigator Ramsey Clark. When a young woman is found murdered, local legends of a "red mist" that brings death once every generation resurface. Ramsey, who relies strictly on physical evidence, finds herself forced to work with Devlin Stryker, a parapsychologist who is studying the local phenomenon. Together, they must separate superstitious myth from a very real, flesh-and-blood killer.
3. Waking the Dead (2009)
Forensic anthropologist Caitlin Fleming is summoned to the deep forests of Oregon after seven sets of skeletal remains are discovered. The remains are missing their skulls and bear strange, ritualistic markings. To traverse the wilderness and find the gravesites, Caitlin relies on rugged outdoor guide Zach Sharper. The two must work quickly as the killer realizes they are closing in and decides to make Caitlin his next target.
4. Deadly Intent (2010)
This fast-paced thriller shifts the action to Denver. Macy Reid is a forensic linguist for Raiker Forensics who uses language analysis to track kidnappers—a career path driven by her own childhood abduction. When eleven-year-old Ellie Mulder is kidnapped for the second time, Macy is assigned to the case. She is forced to partner with Kellan Burke, a rebellious investigator with whom she shares a complicated, brief romantic past. Macy must face her own past trauma to save the young girl.
5. Deadly Dreams (2011)
Risa Chandler is a profiler blessed—and cursed—with prophetic nightmares that show her active crime scenes. Traumatized by a previous failure, she retreats to Philadelphia. However, her nightmares return, showing the fiery executions of former police officers. Detective Nate McGuire is sent to bring Risa into the investigation. As they hunt the killer, Risa becomes the murderer's next targeted sacrifice.
6. Deadly Sins (2011)
Set in Washington, D.C., this book features a killer targeting high-profile figures and leaving notes referencing the seven deadly sins. FBI Agent Jaid Marlowe is put on the case and must collaborate with her former lover, Adam Raiker himself. When Adam becomes a prime suspect in the murders, Jaid must risk her career and her life to clear his name and find the true assassin.
7. Secrets of the Dead (2015)
This high-stakes novel involves the attempted kidnapping of Royce Raiker, the stepson of Adam Raiker. To uncover the conspiracy behind the attempt, a forensic investigator must go deep undercover, posing as the wife of Declan Gallagher. The assignment forces the characters to navigate dangerous criminal circles while maintaining their cover under immense pressure.
8. What the Dead Know (2015)
Keira Saxon, a Chicago homicide detective, returns to her hometown in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to care for her ailing father, Danny. Shortly after, Danny dies in what is officially ruled a tragic bear attack. Skeptical of the ruling, Keira is pressured to run for sheriff in her father's place while quietly investigating the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, uncovering deep-seated local secrets.
9. Deep as the Dead (2017)
A serial killer known as "The Tailor" resurfaces in Canada after a three-year silence, leaving victims near water with their mouths sewn shut and containing a blue dragonfly. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Ethan Manning is joined by forensic consultant Alexa Hayden, a specialist from the U.S. with whom Ethan has a complicated history. Together, they must solve the case before Alexa becomes the next victim.
10. Guilty as Sin (2025)
The series returns after a long hiatus with investigative reporter Reese Decody, who has a unique ability to feel the guilt of others. This talent helped put away the "Trifecta Killer," Stephen Thorne, but now Thorne has escaped and is seeking revenge. Reese must team up with forensic profiler Hayes Moreland to survive, all while dealing with family drama and being framed for a murder herself.
Practical Reader Advice and Starting Points
If you are looking to get into the Mindhunters series, the best starting point is undoubtedly Waking Nightmare. Starting here introduces you to Adam Raiker, the profiling team, and the general tone of the series. While the books are largely standalone mysteries, reading them out of order can spoil previous romantic pairings and the development of Adam Raiker's personal life, which reaches a major climax in Deadly Sins. There are no official spin-off series, crossover books, or co-authored editions, making this a straightforward ten-book run to collect and enjoy.