How to Read the Rogue River Universe
Co-authored by romantic suspense powerhouses Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh, the Rogue River universe is set in the atmospheric fictional town of Solitude, Oregon. The series follows two sisters—former LAPD officer Stevie Taylor and dedicated social worker Carly Taylor—as they navigate local secrets, family trauma, and high-stakes criminal investigations. Because the authors alternate writing the books and the plotlines build upon each other chronologically, the only recommended path is to read the series in strict publication order.
The collaborative project spans four distinct subseries released between 2014 and 2017: Rogue River, Rogue Winter, Rogue Vows, and Rogue Justice. Reading these novellas out of order will spoil the unfolding romantic arcs, family secrets, and the resolution of the overarching mystery plots.
The Complete Reading Order of Solitude, Oregon
1. The Rogue River Novellas (2014)
This is where the story begins, introducing Solitude's dark underbelly and the core cast of characters. The four novellas in this initial arc focus on the immediate aftermath of the death of the Taylor sisters' father, who was the town's police chief, and the emergence of a deadly drug crisis.
- On Her Father's Grave by Kendra Elliot (2014) – Focuses on Stevie Taylor returning to Solitude and investigating a teenager's suspicious death alongside the new police chief, Zane Duncan.
- Gone to Her Grave by Melinda Leigh (2014) – Shifts focus to social worker Carly Taylor, who risks her safety and her marriage to investigator Seth Harding to clear a young client's name.
- Her Grave Secrets by Kendra Elliot (2014) – Stevie and Zane uncover a buried skull with bullet holes, opening a cold case that hits dangerously close to home.
- Walking on Her Grave by Melinda Leigh (2014) – The thrilling conclusion to the initial arc, where Carly and Seth race against time to rescue a missing witness and bring down a local drug ring.
2. The Rogue Winter Novellas (2015)
The suspense continues in Solitude as the seasons change. The town is covered in snow, but the criminal activity doesn't slow down.
- Tracks of Her Tears by Melinda Leigh (2015) – Carly and Seth find themselves targeted when an old case comes back to haunt them during a winter storm.
- Dead in Her Tracks by Kendra Elliot (2015) – Stevie and Zane investigate a murder in the freezing Oregon wilderness, where the killer is tracking them in turn.
3. The Rogue Vows Novellas (2016)
This duology explores the deepening romantic relationships and vows of the main characters, set against new criminal threats.
- Death and Her Devotion by Kendra Elliot (2016) – Stevie and Zane's relationship is put to the test when a body is discovered at a local wedding venue.
- Burned by Her Devotion by Melinda Leigh (2016) – Carly and Seth must confront a deadly arsonist who threatens their family and their future together.
4. The Rogue Justice Novellas (2017)
This final set of novellas concludes the main storylines for the Taylor sisters in Solitude, bringing their personal and professional arcs to a satisfying resolution.
- Twisted Truth by Melinda Leigh (2017) – Carly Taylor works to protect a vulnerable child while a dangerous conspiracy threatens to tear the town apart.
- Truth Be Told by Kendra Elliot (2017) – Zane and Stevie Taylor-Duncan face their final, most personal investigation to secure the safety of Solitude once and for all.
What to Know Before You Start
The collaboration between Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh is highly unique. Instead of co-writing every line, they divided the storytelling duties: Kendra Elliot primarily writes the chapters and books focusing on Stevie Taylor and police chief Zane Duncan, while Melinda Leigh focuses on Carly Taylor and investigator Seth Harding. Despite this division, the books are tightly plotted and share a seamless timeline, meaning they function as a single, continuous series rather than separate spin-offs.
Because these books were originally published as novellas, they are quick, fast-paced reads. For the best experience, readers should treat each subseries (like Rogue River) as a single serialized novel broken into parts. If you enjoy the small-town setting of Solitude and the authors' combined styles, you may also want to check out their Widow's Island novella series, which follows a similar collaborative format set on a fictional island in Washington state, or their 2024 full-length crossover novel Echo Road, which unites Kendra's Mercy Kilpatrick and Melinda's Bree Taggert.