Books On Board

Will Trent Books in Order

  • 15 Books
  • 2006 – 2024 Published

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Reading order
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Where to Start with the Will Trent Books

For readers looking to enter the gritty, atmospheric world of Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Special Agent Will Trent, there are two distinct starting points. The most direct path is to begin with Triptych, the 2006 novel that introduces Will Trent, his partner Faith Mitchell, and his complicated childhood sweetheart Angie Polaski. However, because the series eventually merges with Karin Slaughter's earlier Grant County series, many dedicated fans and the author herself recommend starting from the very beginning with the Grant County debut, Blindsighted (2001). This introduces pediatrician and medical examiner Dr. Sara Linton, who becomes a foundational character in the Will Trent series starting with the third book, Undone.

If you choose to skip the Grant County prequel series, you can still easily follow the mysteries, but you will miss the deep emotional history and trauma that Sara Linton carries with her when she joins Will in Atlanta. Either way, reading the books in publication order is highly recommended to fully appreciate the complex, slow-burning character development and the shifting relationships that define the series.

The Will Trent Reading Order (Publication Order)

Below is the complete list of Will Trent novels and novellas in the order they were published and should be read to maintain character continuity:

  1. Triptych (2006) – Introduces Will Trent as a dyslexic, physically scarred GBI agent investigating a brutal serial killer in Atlanta alongside detective Angie Polaski.
  2. Fractured (2008) – Will is paired with partner Faith Mitchell to investigate a home invasion and kidnapping in an upscale Atlanta neighborhood.
  3. Undone (also published as Genesis) (2009) – The crucial crossover book where Dr. Sara Linton enters the series, helping Will and Faith track a sadistic killer.
  4. Broken (2010) – Sara Linton returns to her hometown of Heartsdale, bringing Will Trent along to investigate a suspicious death in police custody.
  5. Fallen (2011) – GBI agent Faith Mitchell is held hostage, forcing Will and Sara to dig into Faith's mother's past in the police department.
  6. Snatched (2012) – An optional novella (Book 5.5) in which Will witnesses a kidnapping at an airport.
  7. Criminal (2012) – A dual-timeline thriller that delves into the 1970s origins of Will's boss Amanda Wagner, tying into Will's own traumatic childhood.
  8. Busted (2013) – An optional novella (Book 6.5) focusing on a traffic stop that leads Will to a larger smuggling ring.
  9. Unseen (2013) – Will goes deep undercover as a biker to investigate a drug ring, which puts him in direct opposition to Sara Linton's work.
  10. The Kept Woman (2016) – A high-stakes investigation in a warehouse reveals a body, Angie Polaski's blood, and dark secrets from Will's marriage.
  11. Cleaning the Gold (2019) – A crossover novella (Book 8.5) co-authored with Lee Child, where Will Trent crosses paths with Jack Reacher at Fort Knox.
  12. The Last Widow (2019) – A mysterious kidnapping leads Will and Sara into the path of a dangerous far-right extremist group.
  13. The Silent Wife (2020) – Will investigates a prison riot and uncovers a cold case that connects back to a crime in Grant County years ago.
  14. After That Night (2023) – A brutal assault case forces Sara Linton to confront a traumatic event from her own past.
  15. This Is Why We Lied (2024) – Will and Sara's honeymoon at a remote Georgia lodge is interrupted by a gruesome murder among a family full of secrets.

The Grant County Connection: The Complete Prequel Order

If you decide to take the comprehensive route and read the Grant County series before starting the Will Trent books, follow this chronological order of Sara Linton's early life in Heartsdale:

  • Blindsighted (2001)
  • Kisscut (2002)
  • A Faint Cold Fear (2003)
  • Indelible (2004)
  • Faithless (2005)
  • Beyond Reach (also published as Skin Privilege) (2007)

After finishing Beyond Reach, you should transition immediately to the Will Trent series, starting with Triptych and Fractured, before the two storylines officially merge in Undone.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Karin Slaughter's universe, readers should be prepared for its intense, dark tone. Slaughter does not shy away from graphic descriptions of physical violence, sexual assault, and systemic corruption. The series is celebrated for its authenticity and raw emotion, but it can be challenging for sensitive readers.

Unlike many procedural crime novels where the detective remains static, Will Trent's life undergoes massive changes. The scars of his childhood in the Atlanta foster care system, his struggles with severe dyslexia, and his toxic relationship with Angie Polaski are central to the overall narrative arc. Additionally, the series has been adapted into a popular ABC television show starring Ramón Rodríguez. While the television series captures the heart of the characters, it changes major plotlines, streamlines relationships, and features a lighter tone than the source novels. Reading the books offers a much deeper, darker, and more detailed look into Will's psychological journey.

Frequently Asked

Can the Will Trent books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book contains a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the end. However, the overall character development, relationship growth, and personal backstories carry over directly from one book to the next. It is highly recommended to read them in order to understand the ongoing personal dynamics between Will Trent, Sara Linton, and Angie Polaski.

Do I need to read the Grant County series first?

You do not need to, but it is highly recommended. The character of Dr. Sara Linton joins the Will Trent books starting in Undone. Reading the six Grant County novels first, beginning with Blindsighted, provides critical context regarding her past trauma and relationships before she meets Will.

Which Will Trent books are novellas?

The series includes three short novellas: Snatched (Book 5.5), Busted (Book 6.5), and Cleaning the Gold (Book 8.5). While they offer fun side investigations, they are not necessary to follow the main character arcs and can be skipped without missing major plot developments.

What is the connection between Will Trent and Jack Reacher?

Will Trent crosses paths with Lee Child's famous drifter in the crossover novella Cleaning the Gold (2019). In this story, Will goes undercover at Fort Knox to investigate a cold case and runs into Jack Reacher, who has his own mission. It is a fun crossover but does not impact the main Will Trent storyline.

How does the Will Trent TV show compare to the books?

The ABC adaptation captures Will's core traits, but the books are significantly darker, grittier, and more graphic. The TV series also makes major changes to character backgrounds, timeline events, and the roles of supporting characters like Angie Polaski and Amanda Wagner.

When is the next Will Trent book coming out?

Following the release of This Is Why We Lied in 2024, author Karin Slaughter has indicated that the 13th novel in the Will Trent series is expected to be published in 2026.