Where to Start Reading Allison Brennan
Allison Brennan is a master of romantic suspense and crime procedurals, having written over 50 novels and novellas. Because many of her series share character crossovers, family trees, and evolving timelines, finding the right starting point can seem daunting. Here are the three best paths to begin your reading journey:
- The Full Kincaid-Rogan Experience (Highly Recommended): Start with the No Evil Trilogy (beginning with Speak No Evil). This trilogy introduces the Kincaid family and details the traumatic kidnapping of Lucy Kincaid, which serves as the emotional foundation for her subsequent 18-book series.
- The Lucy Kincaid Series Directly: If you want to jump straight into the forensic action, start with Love Me to Death. While it references past trauma from the No Evil Trilogy, Brennan provides enough recap to make it an accessible entry point.
- The Procedural Route (Quinn & Costa): If you prefer dark, high-stakes FBI procedural thrillers with less emphasis on romance, start with the Quinn & Costa Thrillers, beginning with The Third to Die.
The Kincaid-Rogan Connected Universe
The core of Brennan's bibliography is a vast network of interconnected romantic suspense trilogies that eventually culminated in the long-running Lucy Kincaid series. Reading these early trilogies first will give you the full context of the relationships and recurring characters:
The Predator Trilogy
This is Brennan's debut trilogy. While it stands on its own, it takes place in the same universe and establishes her signature blend of grittiness and romantic tension.
- The Prey (2005)
- The Hunt (2006)
- The Kill (2006)
The Evil Trilogy
This trilogy is crucial for Lucy Kincaid fans. The first two books introduce her family, while the third, Fear No Evil, depicts the traumatic event that shapes Lucy's career and personal life.
- Speak No Evil (2007)
- See No Evil (2007)
- Fear No Evil (2007)
The Prison Break & FBI Trilogies
These two trilogies continue to develop characters who later become staples of the Lucy Kincaid series. For example, Jack Kincaid is a lead in Sudden Death, and characters associated with the Rogan family are introduced here.
- Prison Break Trilogy: Killing Fear (2008), Tempting Evil (2008), Playing Dead (2008)
- FBI Trilogy: Sudden Death (2009), Fatal Secrets (2009), Cutting Edge (2009)
Lucy Kincaid & Max Revere: Crucial Crossovers
The Lucy Kincaid series follows Lucy's evolution from an FBI trainee to a seasoned agent, alongside her partner and husband, Sean Rogan. Parallel to this, the Max Revere series follows an investigative reporter who tackles cold cases. The two series intersect in major ways:
- Two to Die For (2017): A unique collection featuring two separate novellas: a Lucy Kincaid story (Spiral) and a Max Revere story (Retired).
- Shattered (2017): This is the official crossover novel where Lucy Kincaid and Max Revere team up to solve a cold case involving the murder of Lucy's cousin.
The Quinn & Costa Thrillers
Marking a shift toward more traditional, dark procedural mysteries, this series follows detective Kara Quinn and FBI agent Mathias Costa. It features intricate plotting and forensic detail, making it perfect for fans of modern police procedurals.
- The Third to Die (2020)
- Tell No Lies (2021)
- The Wrong Victim (2022)
- Seven Girls Gone (2023)
- The Missing Witness (2024)
- See How They Hide (2025)
Other Series and Collaborations
Moreno & Hart Mysteries
Co-authored with fellow bestselling author Laura Griffin, this series follows private investigators Scarlet Moreno and Kristina Hart in a lighter, fast-paced mystery style.
- Crash and Burn (2013)
- Hit and Run (2014)
- Frosted (2015)
- Lost and Found (2016)
Angelhart Investigations
One of Brennan's newer ventures, this series features private investigator Margo Angelhart solving cases in the desert landscape of Arizona, starting with the prequel novella Into the Fire and the novel You'll Never Find Me.
Regan Merritt
Focusing on a former U.S. Marshal who steps in to help solve cold cases, this duology includes The Sorority Murder (2021) and Don't Open the Door (2023).
Seven Deadly Sins
A paranormal thriller series that represents a supernatural detour for Brennan, following a battle against dark forces and demons.
- Original Sin (2010 / local database lists 2000)
- Carnal Sin (2010)
- Ghostly Justice (2010 / 2014)
- Mortal Sin (2014)