Where to Start with Regan Reilly
For readers diving into the sun-soaked and suspense-filled world of Los Angeles private investigator Regan Reilly, there are two primary ways to approach the series. Created by Carol Higgins Clark, the books successfully blend lighthearted humor, eccentric characters, and breezy detective work. While each mystery is self-contained and can technically be enjoyed as a standalone, reading the books in order is highly recommended. Doing so allows you to follow Regan's personal development, her growing relationship with her husband Jack Reilly, and her ongoing family dynamics.
The best starting point is the debut novel, Decked (1992). This book establishes Regan's professional background, her close relationship with her parents, and the lighthearted, fast-paced tone that defines the series. From there, you can choose to follow either the strict publication order of the solo books or the fully integrated timeline that weaves in the holiday-themed crossover novels.
The Integrated Chronological Timeline (Main Series & Crossovers)
To experience the full progression of Regan's life, readers should integrate the collaborative Christmas novels written by Carol Higgins Clark and her mother, Mary Higgins Clark. These collaborations are crucial to character continuity. Most notably, Regan meets her future husband, NYPD Major Case Squad head Jack Reilly, in the holiday crossover novel Deck the Halls (2000). Reading only the solo novels will leave a noticeable gap in her romantic timeline.
The complete integrated reading order is as follows:
- Decked (1992) – Regan attends a class reunion in England and investigates the cold case of her missing former roommate.
- Snagged (1993) – While attending a pantyhose convention in Miami, Regan must protect the inventor of runless pantyhose from a murderer.
- Iced (1995) – Regan travels to Aspen, Colorado, to search for a missing actress and stolen paintings.
- Twanged (1998) – In the Hamptons, Regan is hired to protect a rising country music star who is receiving threatening gifts.
- Deck the Halls (2000) – (Holiday Collaboration) Regan teams up with Alvirah Meehan to find her kidnapped father, Luke Reilly, and meets NYPD officer Jack Reilly.
- Fleeced (2001) – Regan helps a family friend clear his name when precious diamonds go missing from a historic New York social club.
- Jinxed (2002) – A trip to a California vineyard leads Regan to investigate the disappearance of a wedding planner's business partner.
- Popped (2003) – Regan travels to Napa Valley for a hot-air balloon festival and must solve a series of sabotage attempts.
- The Christmas Thief (2004) – (Holiday Collaboration) Regan and Alvirah head to Vermont to track down a stolen evergreen tree and a cache of hidden diamonds.
- Burned (2005) – A vacation at a luxury Maui resort turns into a case involving a missing woman and a mysterious scam.
- Hitched (2006) – The week of Regan and Jack's wedding arrives, but chaos ensues when her custom wedding dress is stolen.
- Santa Cruise (2006) – (Holiday Collaboration) Regan and Jack join Alvirah on the maiden voyage of a festive cruise ship where passengers start disappearing.
- Laced (2007) – Newlyweds Regan and Jack spend their honeymoon in an Irish castle, only to find themselves investigating a historic ghost mystery.
- Zapped (2008) – A massive blackout in New York City leaves Regan and Jack searching for a missing person and tracing a gallery heist.
- Dashing Through the Snow (2008) – (Holiday Collaboration) In New Hampshire, a group of lottery winners is thrown into panic when a coworker goes missing, prompting Alvirah and Regan to investigate.
- Cursed (2009) – Regan travels to Beverly Hills to find a missing hair colorist who holds the key to a buried treasure.
- Wrecked (2010) – A massive storm on Cape Cod leads Regan to a historic shipwreck mystery and a body washed up on the beach.
- Mobbed (2011) – Helping a friend prepare for a Jersey Shore garage sale, Regan uncovers a dangerous stalker.
- Gypped (2012) – (Also published as Scammed) Regan's final published case takes place in Los Angeles, exposing a fraudulent scheme targeting a group of women.
The Crossover Connection: Alvirah Meehan & Mary Higgins Clark
A unique aspect of the Regan Reilly universe is its crossover connection with Carol Higgins Clark's mother, Mary Higgins Clark. The four collaborative Christmas novels bring together Regan with Alvirah Meehan, the famous lottery-winner-turned-amateur-sleuth from Mary's books. These crossover titles maintain the cozy tone of the Regan Reilly solo series, focusing on light suspense, festive settings, and humorous family interactions rather than the darker, more intense thriller elements of Mary's solo work.
Note that while He Sees You When You're Sleeping (2002) is frequently packaged as part of the Higgins Clark holiday collaborations, it does not feature Regan Reilly or Alvirah Meehan, and therefore should be excluded from a Regan-specific reading list.
Character Continuity & Milestones
Because the series spans twenty years, Regan undergoes significant life changes that make chronological reading rewarding. She begins the series as a single investigator based in Los Angeles, frequently traveling for cases. Her personal life shifts dramatically after meeting Jack Reilly in Deck the Halls. Subsequent novels, such as Fleeced, portray their long-distance relationship. Their engagement and wedding culminate in Hitched, after which Jack becomes a recurring partner in her investigations. Their subsequent adventures in Laced and Zapped showcase their life as newlyweds navigating high-stakes New York cases together.
Series Status and the Unreleased Novel
Carol Higgins Clark passed away in 2023, bringing a formal end to the Regan Reilly series. Her final published book was Gypped (2012). While database listings and retail sites sometimes feature a title named Knocked (with speculative release dates stretching into the future), this book was never completed or published. The 17 core novels and 4 holiday crossovers stand as the complete, finalized canon for Regan Reilly.