Introduction to The Colony Series
Step into the misty, mysterious world of The Colony, where psychic women, chilling suspense, and a touch of romance collide on Oregon’s wild coast. Also known as the Wicked series, this thrilling blend of paranormal suspense and romance is crafted by bestselling author sisters Nancy Bush and Lisa Jackson. Set in the fictional, atmospheric coastal town of Deception Bay, the series follows a group of women with extraordinary psychic gifts living in the secluded Siren Song lodge. As their unique abilities draw the attention of dangerous killers, these women must fight for survival while finding unexpected love along the way.
The Naming Confusion: The Wicked Series vs. The Colony
For many readers, navigating this series can be confusing due to how the books are marketed and titled. The books that Nancy Bush and Lisa Jackson co-wrote all feature the word "Wicked" in their titles. However, the overall series—collectively known as The Colony—also contains two books written solely by Nancy Bush: Unseen and Blind Spot. Because these two solo novels do not follow the "Wicked" naming convention, they are frequently omitted from simplified fan reading lists. To fully appreciate the overarching plot and the secrets of the Siren Song sanctuary, it is essential to include these two entries in your reading journey.
The Recommended Reading Order
To follow the ongoing narrative threads, character relationships, and the mystery surrounding Siren Song, the books should be read in order of their publication. Here is the recommended sequence for reading The Colony series:
Wicked Game (2009)
Co-authored by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush, this book introduces readers to the dark history of the Oregon coast. The mystery begins with the disappearance of Jessie Brentwood from St. Elizabeth’s high school twenty years ago. When Jessie's childhood friend, Becca Sutcliff, begins experiencing terrifying psychic visions indicating that Jessie's killer has returned, she joins forces with Hudson Blue to uncover the truth and face the dark forces gathering in Deception Bay.
Unseen (2009)
Written solely by Nancy Bush, this second book shifts the focus to Gemma La Porte. Gemma wakes up in a rural Oregon hospital with severe amnesia, remembering nothing of the past three days. When Deputy Will Tanninger informs her that she is the prime suspect in a fatal hit-and-run accident, Gemma is forced to rely on him to help piece together her missing memory. As they dig deeper, they uncover a dangerous web of secrets and a touch of the supernatural.
Blind Spot (2010)
In this solo installment by Nancy Bush, psychologist Claire Norris is assigned to treat a catatonic Jane Doe who survived a brutal assault at an Oregon rest stop. The investigation reveals the victim escaped from a secluded, cult-like group tied to the region's psychic undercurrents. Claire must work alongside Langdon Stone, a former homicide detective who holds a bitter personal grudge against her, to protect the survivor and stop a ruthless killer.
Wicked Lies (2011)
Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush reunite for this fourth installment. The story centers on Laura Adderley, a pregnant member of The Colony who possesses a heightened sense of intuition. When escaped serial killer Justice Turnbull targets Laura, she must trust Harrison Macdonald—a man hired to protect her—as they attempt to survive a deadly game of cat and mouse on the rocky coast.
Something Wicked (2013)
In this co-authored novel, Detective Savannah Dunbar is tasked with investigating a shocking double homicide that points directly to the Siren Song lodge. As Savannah probes the secrets of the psychic women who live there, she must separate fact from illusion while navigating an intense, complicated connection with fellow investigator Ryder Mercer.
Wicked Ways (2014)
This co-authored book follows Elizabeth Gaines Ellis, a woman whose quiet life is shattered by a terrifying pattern: the people who anger or threaten her keep dying in brutal ways. Haunted by guilt and fearing she may be committing these crimes in her sleep, Elizabeth is targeted by a private investigator. As the deaths mount, she realizes the true killer is operating from the shadows much closer than she ever imagined.
Wicked Dreams (2022)
After a long hiatus, the co-authors returned to Siren Song for this sixth collaborative book (and seventh overall). The plot follows Ravinia Rutledge, a private investigator and former resident of The Colony. When a body washes ashore with her phone number, Ravinia must team up with Detective Nev Rhodes to stop "Good Time Charlie," a monster from her past who is systematically targeting the psychic women of The Colony.
What to Know Before You Start
The Colony is a unique collaboration in modern romantic suspense. While Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush are sisters who have each written numerous successful solo thrillers, their joint work on this series combines Jackson’s signature gritty police procedurals with Bush’s atmospheric, slightly paranormal focus. The supernatural elements in the series are handled subtly; the characters' psychic gifts—such as intuition, premonitions, and telepathy—act as tools for survival rather than dominant fantasy elements, keeping the stories grounded in suspense and romance.
Standalone Status and Practical Reading Advice
Although each book in the series features a self-contained romance and resolves its central investigation, there is a strong continuity concerning the town of Deception Bay, the Siren Song lodge, and the recurring threat of the region's serial killers. Reading the books out of order can make the recurring characters' backgrounds and the overarching mystery of the Colony difficult to follow. For the most satisfying reading experience, start at the beginning with Wicked Game and follow the publication order to watch the secrets of the Oregon coast unravel sequentially.