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Stevens & Windermere Books in Order

6 Books
2012 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

Stevens & Windermere Books in Recommended Reading Order

To experience the full progression of Kirk Stevens and Carla Windermere's partnership, readers should follow the series in publication order. This matches the chronological sequence of their investigations and allows character development to unfold naturally.

  1. The Professionals (2012): Kirk Stevens, a veteran agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and Carla Windermere, an ambitious FBI Special Agent, are brought together to investigate a highly organized crew of young college graduates who turn to kidnapping wealthy targets for ransom.
  2. Criminal Enterprise (2013): The duo hunts Carter Tomlin, a suburban family man driven to desperate measures after losing his job. He begins robbing banks, but his taste for money and violence rapidly escalates, forcing Stevens and Windermere into a high-stakes manhunt.
  3. Kill Fee (2014): What begins as the public assassination of a wealthy Minneapolis businessman at a high-end restaurant pulls the partners into the dark web. They must trace a sophisticated, online contract-killing network targeting corporate executives.
  4. The Stolen Ones (2015): Stevens and Windermere confront a harrowing human trafficking ring after an escaped girl leads them onto the trail of a ruthless criminal syndicate run by a shadowy figure known as "The Wolf."
  5. The Watcher in the Wall (2016): This installment dives into the dark corners of the internet. The investigators pursue a malicious cyber predator who targets vulnerable teenagers, manipulation-by-manipulation, goading them into suicide.
  6. The Forgotten Girls (2017): The investigation of a young runaway's death near Minnesota train tracks leads the duo to uncover a serial killer preying on transient women traveling along the Northern US freight rail lines.

Can You Read the Stevens & Windermere Books as Standalones?

Yes, each book in the series features a self-contained case that is resolved by the end of the novel. However, the overarching personal lives of Kirk Stevens and Carla Windermere, their evolving professional chemistry, and the psychological toll of their cases accumulate over time. Starting with The Professionals offers the most satisfying and cohesive reading experience.

Meet the Detectives: Kirk Stevens & Carla Windermere

The series thrives on the sharp contrast and deep mutual respect between its two protagonists:

  • Kirk Stevens: A family man and a seasoned veteran with the Minnesota BCA. Grounded, methodical, and calm under pressure, he brings years of local investigative experience and a protective instinct to his cases.
  • Carla Windermere: A young, athletic, and fiercely ambitious FBI Special Agent. Bold and ready to take risks, she acts as a perfect counterweight to Stevens' seasoned caution.

What to Know Before You Start

Owen Laukkanen's writing is heavily influenced by his background as a poker journalist and commercial fisherman, lending a cinematic, fast-paced, and gritty feel to the series. The stories do not shy away from heavy themes like economic desperation, modern technology, and systemic crime. Note that while Laukkanen has written other thrillers (including the Neah Bay/Winslow & Burke series starting with Deception Cove) and writes YA fiction under the pseudonym Owen Matthews, those works exist in separate universes and do not cross over with the Stevens & Windermere series.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting point for the Stevens & Windermere series?

The recommended starting point is The Professionals (2012), which introduces Kirk Stevens and Carla Windermere during their first joint investigation.

QAre the Stevens & Windermere books written in chronological order?

Yes. The publication order of the books perfectly aligns with the chronological order of the characters' careers and lives.

QHow many books are in the Stevens & Windermere series?

There are six novels in the series, starting with The Professionals in 2012 and ending with The Forgotten Girls in 2017.

QDoes the series have any spin-offs, short stories, or crossovers?

No. The series consists strictly of the six main novels. While the author has written other thriller series like Neah Bay, there are no crossover appearances or shared storylines.

QWhy does Owen Laukkanen write under the name Owen Matthews?

Owen Laukkanen uses the pseudonym Owen Matthews to write young adult (YA) fiction, separating those books from his gritty, adult crime thrillers.

QIs the Stevens & Windermere series finished?

As of 2026, no new books have been published since The Forgotten Girls (2017). The author has focused on other projects, but the series remains a complete six-book arc.