The Recommended Reading Order for Tracy Whitney
The Tracy Whitney series follows a straightforward chronological path, which is identical to its publication order. Because the narrative relies heavily on character development, trauma, and long-standing rivalries, you should read these books in the exact order they were released. Skipping the first book will leave you completely lost regarding Tracy's motivations, her training, and her complicated relationship with her partner-in-crime.
Here is the recommended reading path:
- If Tomorrow Comes (1985) – Written by Sidney Sheldon
- Sidney Sheldon's Chasing Tomorrow (2014) – Written by Tilly Bagshawe
- Sidney Sheldon's Reckless (2015) – Written by Tilly Bagshawe
A Closer Look at the Tracy Whitney Books
1. If Tomorrow Comes (1985)
This is the classic thriller that started it all. Written by master storyteller Sidney Sheldon, the novel introduces Tracy Whitney as a naive, trusting bank clerk in Philadelphia who is engaged to a wealthy heir. Her life is shattered when her mother is driven to suicide by a ruthless mafia ring. Attempting to seek justice, Tracy is framed, betrayed by her fiancé, and sentenced to fifteen years in a brutal maximum-security penitentiary.
The first half of the book details her harrowing struggle to survive prison, while the second half follows her spectacular transformation. Upon her release, blacklisted and unable to find honest work, Tracy uses her sharp intellect to exact brilliant revenge on the people who framed her. She is soon recruited by the legendary Gunther Hartog and becomes a world-class con artist, orchestrating complex, victimless jewel thefts across Europe. Along the way, she meets her match in Jeff Stevens, a charming rival con man, while evading Daniel Cooper, a socially awkward and obsessive insurance investigator.
2. Sidney Sheldon's Chasing Tomorrow (2014)
Nearly three decades after the original novel, author Tilly Bagshawe was commissioned by the Sheldon estate to continue Tracy's story. Bagshawe successfully captures the glamorous, fast-paced essence of Sheldon's writing style while updating the setting for the modern era.
In this sequel, Tracy Whitney has finally achieved what she thought she always wanted: a quiet, safe life with Jeff Stevens. However, the peace is short-lived. Tracy finds herself deeply restless, haunted by the demons of her past and missing the adrenaline rush of her old life. When a mysterious, dark entity from her past resurfaces, Tracy is forced back into the game. The story takes readers on a roller-coaster ride from London and Sweden to the glitzy streets of Southern Italy, proving that Tracy hasn't lost her touch, even as the stakes get deadlier.
3. Sidney Sheldon's Reckless (2015)
The third installment, also penned by Tilly Bagshawe, pushes Tracy Whitney to her absolute limits. Following a devastating personal tragedy, Tracy withdraws into complete anonymity, living a quiet life in the Swedish countryside. But her retirement is shattered when she is targeted by a ruthless global terrorist group.
Unlike the playful, romantic heist vibe of the previous books, Reckless leans heavily into high-concept international espionage and counter-terrorism. Tracy must team up with intelligence agencies and utilize her unique skills to track down a group responsible for series of murders and cyber-attacks. It is a darker, faster-paced entry that tests Tracy's resilience, intelligence, and survival instincts in a world dominated by modern technology and global threats.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
There are no prequels, short stories, or parallel timelines in the Tracy Whitney series. The chronological order matches the publication order perfectly. While the gap between the first and second book is twenty-nine years in our world, the narrative continuity flows directly from the end of the first book into the start of the second, adjusting the technology and timeline to make it feel seamless for modern readers.
Key Players in the Tracy Whitney Universe
- Tracy Whitney: The brilliant, resilient protagonist. She goes from an innocent victim of a frame-up to a cunning master thief who only targets those who deserve to be conned.
- Jeff Stevens: Tracy's equal in intelligence and charm. A fellow con artist, Jeff is both Tracy's chief rival and the love of her life. Their chemistry drives much of the series' romantic tension.
- Gunther Hartog: The refined, aristocratic mastermind who mentors Tracy in the art of the con and introduces her to high-society heists.
- Daniel Cooper: The main antagonist of the first book. An incredibly brilliant but psychologically disturbed insurance investigator who becomes obsessed with catching Tracy.
Adaptations: The 1986 TV Miniseries
Following the massive success of the 1985 novel, CBS adapted If Tomorrow Comes into a highly popular three-part television miniseries in 1986. Directed by Jerry London, the miniseries stars Madolyn Smith Osborne as a fiercely determined Tracy Whitney and Tom Berenger as the charming Jeff Stevens. David Keith delivers a memorable performance as the unstable investigator Daniel Cooper, and a young Liam Neeson appears as Inspector André Trignant. The adaptation was praised for staying faithful to the source material's suspense and glamorous locations, and it remains a cult classic among fans of 1980s television dramas.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Tracy's world, it is helpful to keep a few things in mind:
- The Author Transition: There is a distinct stylistic shift between the first book and the sequels. Sidney Sheldon's original work has the classic, slower-burn feel of a mid-80s thriller, while Tilly Bagshawe's continuation novels are faster, louder, and deal with modern technology like hacking and global terrorism.
- Standalone vs. Serialized: If Tomorrow Comes can easily be read as a complete, satisfying standalone novel with a definitive ending. However, if you choose to continue with Chasing Tomorrow and Reckless, you must read them in order, as they function as a continuous duology that directly resolves Tracy's ultimate fate.
- Tone: The series deals with some dark themes, especially during Tracy's time in prison in the first book. However, the overall tone remains an escapist, glamorous adventure filled with clever schemes, disguise, and satisfying victories over corrupt antagonists.