Sloane Monroe Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Sloane Monroe

For readers jumping into Cheryl Bradshaw's bestselling mystery thriller series, the best place to start is the very first novel published, Black Diamond Death (2011). This book introduces private investigator Sloane Monroe, her unique personality (including her struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder), her aversion to the cold winters of Park City, and the overarching mystery of her sister's unsolved murder. Starting here allows you to experience the character's growth and the development of her relationships in the order the author originally intended.

However, if you prefer a chronological approach, you can start with the prequel novel, Silent as the Grave, which was published in 2021 but takes place before the events of the first book. In addition, the Deadly Sins subseries of short stories focuses on Sloane's early days and can also be read as prequels.

Sloane Monroe Books in Publication Order

Reading the series in publication order is highly recommended. It keeps the suspense of Sloane's personal life and her search for her sister's killer in perfect sequence. Here is the publication order of the main novels and novellas:

• Black Diamond Death (2011) – Sloane investigates a skier's suspicious death in Park City, Utah.
• Sinnerman / Murder in Mind (2011) – Sloane faces off against the Sinnerman, the serial killer who took her sister's life.
• I Have a Secret (2012) – A high school reunion cruise turns deadly, bringing Sloane back to her California hometown.
• Stranger in Town (2012) – Sloane searches for a missing girl in a high-stakes investigation that was a Shamus Award finalist.
• Bed of Bones (2013) – A body is found in a historic Utah cemetery, pulling Sloane into a historic mystery.
• Hush Now Baby (2014) – Sloane takes on a case involving a baby abandoned at her doorstep and a missing mother.
• Flirting with Danger (2014) – A companion novella following Sloane on a quick, fast-paced case.
• Dead of Night (2015) – A novella that puts Sloane in the middle of a late-night puzzle.
• Gone Daddy Gone (2017) – Sloane is hired to locate a father who disappeared without a trace.
• Smoke and Mirrors (2019) – Sloane uncovers a web of lies surrounding a local magician's disappearance.
• Silent as the Grave (2021) – Published as a prequel novel, revealing the investigation that first launched Sloane's career.

Sloane Monroe Books in Chronological Order

For readers who want to follow Sloane's career from the absolute beginning before she became the established PI in Park City, the chronological reading order shifts the prequels and short stories to the front:

1. Deadly Sins: Sloth (2017)
2. Deadly Sins: Wrath (2017)
3. Deadly Sins: Lust (2019)
4. Deadly Sins: Greed (2020)
5. Deadly Sins: Envy (2020)
6. Deadly Sins: Pride (2024)
7. Deadly Sins: Gluttony (2025)
8. Silent as the Grave (2021) (Prequel Novel)
9. Black Diamond Death (2011)
10. Sinnerman / Murder in Mind (2011)
11. I Have a Secret (2012)
12. Stranger in Town (2012)
13. Bed of Bones (2013)
14. Hush Now Baby (2014)
15. Flirting with Danger (2014)
16. Dead of Night (2015)
17. Gone Daddy Gone (2017)
18. Smoke and Mirrors (2019)

The Sloane Monroe Stories: Deadly Sins Prequels

The Sloane Monroe Stories: Deadly Sins are a subseries of murderous short stories written by Cheryl Bradshaw. These bite-sized mysteries delve into cases Sloane solved before the main series kicks off. They are excellent companion pieces that can be read either before starting the main novels or interspersed between the main books to break up the longer reads.

Sloane & Maddie: Peril Awaits Spin-Off Series

After completing the main Sloane Monroe books, readers can continue the adventures in the spin-off series, Sloane & Maddie: Peril Awaits, co-authored by Cheryl Bradshaw and Janet Fix. This series pairs Sloane with her close friend and business partner, Maddie LaFoe, focusing on collaborative investigations. The books should be read in their publication order:

• The Silent Boy (2021)
• The Shadow Children-->The Shadow Children (2021)
• The Broken Soul (2022)
• The Widow Maker (2022)
• The Familiar Stranger (2025)

What to Know Before You Start

Cheryl Bradshaw's books balance the suspense of a traditional private eye thriller with the warmth of a cozy mystery. Sloane is not a perfect detective; her struggles with relationships and her obsessive-compulsive disorder make her relatable and human. While each main novel features a self-contained mystery that is fully resolved, the overarching narrative of Sloane's personal life—particularly her quest to solve her sister's murder—unfolds across the first few books, making publication order the most satisfying path for new readers.