How to Read the Sydney Fitzpatrick Series
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the series in its chronological story order. The underlying emotional arc of Sydney Fitzpatrick—particularly her ongoing investigation into her father’s unsolved murder and her evolving partnership with covert operative Zachary Griffin—builds sequentially from one book to the next. Skipping around will spoil major character developments and structural plot twists.
Here is the recommended reading path for the series:
- Face of a Killer (2008)
- The Bone Chamber (2009)
- The Dark Hour (2012)
- The Black List (2012)
- The Last Second (Novella, 2013)
- The Kill Order (2013)
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For the novels, the publication order matches the chronological storyline. The only point of divergence is the placement of the novella, The Last Second. It was published in November 2013, just a month before the final novel, The Kill Order, was released in December 2013. However, chronologically, the events of The Last Second take place between the fourth novel, The Black List, and the final novel, The Kill Order. Therefore, most reading order lists designate it as Book 4.5. If you prefer to read strictly in order of publication, you will read the novella right before diving into the final book, which works perfectly fine as both were released in late 2013.
The Sydney Fitzpatrick Books: A Detailed Guide
1. Face of a Killer (2008)
The series begins with Face of a Killer, introducing readers to FBI Special Agent and forensic artist Sydney Fitzpatrick. The plot kicks off two decades after the brutal murder of Sydney’s father. Just as the man convicted of the crime is scheduled for execution, a mysterious photograph and blackmail letter emerge, throwing the official conviction into question. Sydney’s search for the truth leads her into a dangerous web of military cover-ups, deep political corruption, and CIA involvement. This debut sets the emotional foundation for the rest of the series and establishes Sydney's relentless drive to uncover hidden secrets.
2. The Bone Chamber (2009)
In the second book, The Bone Chamber, the stakes shift from personal history to a massive international conspiracy. Sydney is called upon to reconstruct the face of a murder victim whose identifiers have been completely erased. The clues lead her from the United States to a historical dig in Egypt and eventually to the historic catacombs of Rome. Alongside archaeologist Dr. Natasha Gilbert, Sydney finds herself entangled in a conspiracy involving the Knights Templar, the Vatican, and ancient secrets that could trigger a modern geopolitical disaster. The novel blends forensic science with historical mystery, appealing to fans of archaeological thrillers.
3. The Dark Hour (2012)
After a brief hiatus, the series returned with The Dark Hour. Sydney is sent to Amsterdam to work on a high-profile case, while concurrently a United States senator is assassinated back home. The mystery deepens when Sydney's forensic sketch of a potential suspect bears an uncanny resemblance to a CIA operative who was officially declared dead years prior. In this book, Sydney joins forces with Zachary Griffin, a covert agent with a mysterious past. Together, they trace a bioweapons conspiracy that threatens millions of lives, shifting the series into a faster, espionage-focused gear.
4. The Black List (2012)
Published in the same year as its predecessor, The Black List ramps up the pacing and tension. Sydney and Zachary Griffin team up again when financial auditors from a humanitarian relief organization are found dead. The investigation reveals that the charity is actually a front used to funnel money to active terrorist cells. As the threat moves from the Mexican border toward Washington, D.C., Sydney and Zachary must unravel the network of money and influence before a nuclear threat is realized on American soil.
5. The Last Second (Novella, 2013)
This mid-length novella serves as an excellent bridge between the fourth and final books. In The Last Second, Sydney and Zachary are pulled away from their primary assignment to investigate an urgent situation in a small town along the Arizona border. What begins as a localized investigation rapidly escalates into a deadly confrontation involving gunrunners, drug cartels, and corruption within the local police force. It highlights the duo's survival skills and provides a quick, action-packed detour.
6. The Kill Order (2013)
The series reaches a high-octane climax in The Kill Order. After recovering a list of encrypted numbers known as the "Devil's Key"—which is linked to the murder of her father—Sydney finds herself targeted by a government "kill order." Forced on the run, she and Zachary Griffin protect a young girl with an eidetic memory who holds the key to translating the cipher. The data they protect is so sensitive that its release could cripple the nation’s infrastructure and ignite an international conflict, bringing Sydney's personal quest for closure to a global, life-or-death scale.
Related Series and Author Context
Robin Burcell’s background as a real-life law enforcement officer, hostage negotiator, and FBI-trained forensic artist brings an authentic edge to the Sydney Fitzpatrick series. Her career experiences directly inform Sydney’s sketching techniques, procedural investigations, and interactions with law enforcement agencies.
If you enjoy Burcell's style, you can explore her other works:
- The Kate Gillespie Series: Burcell's earlier police procedural series follows Kate Gillespie, an SFPD homicide investigator. This series consists of four books: Every Move She Makes (1999), Fatal Truth (2002), Deadly Legacy (2003), and Cold Case (2004).
- Fargo Adventures (with Clive Cussler): Later in her career, Burcell collaborated with legendary thriller writer Clive Cussler to co-author several books in the popular Fargo Adventures series. Her contributions include Pirate (2016), The Romanov Ransom (2017), The Gray Ghost (2018), The Oracle (2019), and Wrath of Poseidon (2020).