How to Read the Waterman & Stark Series
Step into the misty, forested expanse of Kitsap County, Washington, where forensic pathologist Birdy Waterman and Sheriff’s Detective Kendall Stark confront some of the most twisted minds in modern crime fiction. Written by bestselling author and true-crime veteran Gregg Olsen, the Waterman & Stark series is celebrated for its chilling realism, intricate autopsy details, and atmospheric Pacific Northwest setting.
However, when it comes to reading the series, there is a common point of confusion. While publishers and sites like Goodreads officially list the series as a trilogy starting with The Girl in the Woods, the lead characters actually debuted years earlier in two standalone thriller novels. To help you navigate their investigations, we have compiled the two best ways to read the series.
Option 1: The Complete Chronological Path (Recommended)
If you want to experience the full evolution of Birdy Waterman and Kendall Stark’s professional partnership and personal lives, you should start from the absolute beginning. This path includes the two early novels where the characters first met and established their chemistry, followed by the prequel novella and the official trilogy.
- Victim Six (2010) — The first full-length novel introducing Detective Kendall Stark as she hunts a sadistic serial killer known as "The Cutter" in Port Orchard, Washington. Pathologist Birdy Waterman joins the investigation, setting the stage for their future partnership.
- Closer Than Blood (2011) — The second novel, which plunges Stark into a dark investigation involving a high school reunion, small-town secrets, and a pathological set of identical twins.
- The Bone Box (2012) — A prequel novella focusing on Birdy Waterman as she reopens a cold case involving her own cousin, forcing her to confront family secrets and forensic evidence from twenty years prior.
- The Girl in the Woods (2014) — The first novel in the officially branded "Waterman & Stark" series, where a schoolgirl discovers a severed foot in the woods, launching a hunt for a manipulative psychopath.
- Now That She's Gone (2015) — This book introduces the series' most infamous antagonist, the master manipulator and serial killer Brenda Nevins, who escapes from prison to enact a vengeful plan.
- Just Try to Stop Me (2016) — The high-stakes conclusion to the Brenda Nevins duology, where Brenda orchestrates a terrifying series of live-streamed crimes that target Waterman and Stark directly.
Option 2: The Official Waterman & Stark Trilogy
If you prefer to skip the early standalone novels and jump straight into the core, branded series, you can start with the books officially marketed as the "Waterman & Stark" series by the publisher. While you will miss some of the early character development, the novels do a good job of catching readers up on the essentials.
- The Bone Box (2012) — Though published before The Girl in the Woods, this novella serves as a quick, atmospheric introduction to Birdy Waterman's character and forensic methods.
- The Girl in the Woods (2014) — The official Book 1 of the series, establishing the primary dynamic between Detective Stark and Dr. Waterman.
- Now That She's Gone (2015) — Book 2, launching the multi-book Brenda Nevins confrontation.
- Just Try to Stop Me (2016) — Book 3, wrapping up the major character arcs and the Brenda Nevins storyline.
Deep Dive into the Books
The Early Novels: Victim Six & Closer Than Blood
In Victim Six, Gregg Olsen establishes the grim tone of the Puget Sound area. Detective Kendall Stark is a determined lead investigator dealing with a gruesome string of murders, while forensic pathologist Birdy Waterman brings the scientific precision required to dissect the killer's motives. The follow-up, Closer Than Blood, focuses heavily on psychological thriller elements, exploring family pathology and Stark's own history in Kitsap County.
The Prequel Novella: The Bone Box
Published in 2012, The Bone Box is a tighter, more personal story. Instead of a massive active investigation, it focuses on Birdy Waterman re-evaluating the conviction of her cousin, who was locked up twenty years ago. The story highlights Birdy’s dedication to absolute forensic truth, even when it threatens to tear her own family apart.
The Core Trilogy: From Woods to Live Streams
The series reached a new level of popularity with The Girl in the Woods, which officially launched the series under the Waterman & Stark banner. The plot moves from the discovery of a single severed foot to a complex web of deceit involving a highly intelligent killer.
The subsequent books, Now That She's Gone and Just Try to Stop Me, function as a continuous duology focused on Brenda Nevins. Nevins is one of Gregg Olsen's most memorable villains—a highly manipulative, seductive sociopath who manages to control people from behind bars and continues her reign of terror after a daring escape. The final book, Just Try to Stop Me, raises the suspense to a fever pitch as Brenda uses modern technology to broadcast her crimes to the world, forcing Birdy and Kendall into a desperate race against time.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, keep a few practical tips in mind:
- Standalone vs. Serialized: The first three books (Victim Six, Closer Than Blood, and The Girl in the Woods) function relatively well as standalone investigations. However, Now That She's Gone and Just Try to Stop Me are deeply connected by the Brenda Nevins storyline and should absolutely be read in order.
- True Crime Influence: Because Gregg Olsen is a prominent true-crime writer (author of books like If You Tell), the forensic procedures and investigator protocols in the series are exceptionally detailed and realistic. The tone is dark, gritty, and unflinching.
- The Setting is a Character: Kitsap County and the wider Puget Sound region of Washington State provide a moody, rain-soaked backdrop that perfectly mirrors the psychological tension of the crimes.