How to Read the Red Riley Series: The Recommended Reading Path
For the best reading experience, the Red Riley series should be read in its strict publication order. Because the books follow a continuous character arc for protagonist Kay Riley—charting her development from a framed beat cop on the run to a confident, sarcastic amateur vigilante—reading them out of order will spoil major plot points and character relationship developments.
The series begins with Chicago Blue, which establishes Kay's backstory, her motivation for going vigilante, and the introduction of her core team. Each subsequent book builds on the status quo of the previous one, making a chronological approach identical to the publication timeline the only logical path for readers.
Red Riley Books in Publication and Chronological Order
Here is the complete list of Red Riley novels in the order they were published and occur chronologically:
1. Chicago Blue (2017)
The series kicks off with a high-stakes bang. Kay Riley is an ordinary Chicago beat cop whose life is turned upside down when she is falsely accused of a devastating terrorist bombing. Forced to go on the run to clear her name, Kay must survive Chicago's gritty streets while dodging both law enforcement and a lethal assassin. Armed with a sarcastic sense of humor and a few questionable allies, she fights to expose the real mastermind behind the plot.
2. Diamond White (2017)
Now a fugitive from her old life, Kay officially transitions into her new role as an amateur vigilante. In this second installment, Kay and her growing crew—including her loyal friends Ruby and Marty—target a high-profile, dangerous arms dealer operating out of Chicago. As she tries to bring down the network, she also has to manage a potential sidekick and keep her ragtag team safe from lethal retaliation.
3. Solid Gold (2018)
The stakes go international in the third book. When a woman is kidnapped, Kay and her crew follow a trail of clues that takes them far beyond the Windy City, leading them on a wild pursuit from Mexico to Canada. This installment expands the scope of Kay's operations and showcases how much her sleuthing and survival skills have evolved since her days as a bumbling officer.
4. Agent Orange (2019)
Kay Riley is pulled back into action when a close friend asks for help finding a missing father. The search quickly spirals out of control, placing Kay directly in the crosshairs of a vengeful madman who has orchestrated a scheme that threatens thousands of lives. Kay must race against the clock to stop the disaster and save her friend's family.
5. Deep Sea Green (2023)
After a four-year publication hiatus, Kay Riley returned in this tropical thriller. Kay travels to the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane relief efforts. However, trouble has a way of finding her, and she is soon entangled with a local drug smuggler, forcing her to utilize her vigilante skillset in an unfamiliar, sun-drenched environment.
6. Ultra Violet (2023)
In the sixth installment, Kay enters an illegal, high-stakes competition described as a criminal version of the "Amazing Race." Racing against ruthless rivals, she must navigate a series of dangerous challenges to recover a piece of highly sensitive, valuable technology before it falls into the wrong hands.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, here are a few key details to keep in mind about Stephanie Andrews' writing style and the world of Red Riley:
- A Flawed, Relatable Heroine: Unlike many thriller protagonists, Kay Riley isn't a trained martial arts expert or a master of lock-picking. She is stubborn, sarcastic, and highly prone to making mistakes. Her victories feel earned because they rely on grit, luck, and the help of her friends.
- Chicago as a Character: The early books are deeply rooted in the city of Chicago. Author Stephanie Andrews, a Chicago native, utilizes real-world restaurants, neighborhoods, and streets to ground the fast-paced action.
- Humor Over Romance: While Kay faces high stakes and encounters dangerous individuals, the series keeps a lighthearted, witty tone. Andrews steers clear of heavy romantic subplots, focusing instead on themes of found family, resilience, and camaraderie. Fans often compare the humor and tone to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, but without the central romantic triangle.
- Inspirations: Andrews created the series to channel her love of classic mystery writers like Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky, aiming to showcase a regular woman finding her strength under extraordinary pressure.
Stephanie Andrews' Other Work: The Levelers Series
If you finish the Red Riley books and want more from Stephanie Andrews, she has also written a companion duology called The Levelers. This series shifts focus to a husband-and-wife team of con artists, John and Abby Adams, who steal from the rich to give to the poor. The series includes:
- The Grafton Heist (2019)
- The Train Job (2022)
- The Levelers books offer the same quick pacing, witty banter, and crime-caper energy as the Red Riley series, making them a perfect next step for readers who enjoy Andrews' style.