The Recommended Reading Order for A.M. Strong
For readers looking to dive into the high-stakes world of A.M. Strong (the thriller pen name of British-born author Anthony M. Strong), the primary focus is the gripping Patterson Blake FBI Mystery series. Written in collaboration with his wife, Sonya Sargent, this series blends gritty procedural investigations with a deeply emotional, long-running story arc centering on the disappearance of Patterson's sister, Julie.
There are two primary ways to approach the series: the Chronological Order (starting with the prequel novel) or the Publication Order (starting with the book that launched the series into the bestseller lists). We highly recommend reading in Chronological Order to experience Patterson's personal and professional evolution from the very beginning.
Chronological Reading Order
- Seven Minutes (Novella) - A mailing-list exclusive prequel that pits FBI Special Agent Patterson Blake against a ticking clock to save a serial killer's victim.
- Never Lie to Me (2021) - The prequel novel, set in Montauk, which serves as the perfect entry point to Patterson's early cases.
- Sister Where Are You (2022) - Book 1 of the main series, launching Patterson's hunt for her missing sister.
- Is She Really Gone (2022) - Book 2 of the main series.
- All the Dead Girls (2022) - Book 3 of the main series.
- Never Let Her Go (2023) - Book 4 of the main series.
- Dark Road From Sunrise (2023) - Book 5 of the main series.
- I Will Find Her (2024) - Book 6 of the main series (the initial planned conclusion to the primary search arc).
- What Once Was Lost (2024) - Book 7 of the main series.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
While the publication order is slightly different, starting with the prequel Never Lie to Me is highly recommended. Though written before the main series was fully established, it provides vital context to Patterson's character and her investigative style before the search for her sister Julie becomes her primary obsession in Sister Where Are You.
If you prefer to start exactly where the sister mystery begins, you can start with Sister Where Are You and read the prequel later as a companion piece. However, because the overall series maintains a continuous storyline regarding the fate of Julie Blake, reading the books out of order is not recommended, as major plot points and character fates carry over from one novel to the next.
The Patterson Blake FBI Mystery Series: Book by Book
Never Lie to Me (Prequel Novel)
Set in the coastal town of Montauk, this prequel introduces a younger Patterson Blake before she is fully consumed by the investigation into her sister's disappearance. When a brutal murder shocks the quiet seaside community, Patterson must navigate local secrets and a budding romance to catch a ruthless killer. It establishes her sharp intuition and stubborn determination.
Sister Where Are You (Book 1)
The book that officially launched the series. Patterson is sidelined from her regular duties following a high-risk bust that went sideways. However, when new evidence emerges regarding her sister Julie, who vanished sixteen years ago during a cross-country road trip, Patterson heads to Oklahoma City. There, she must face a sadistic predator while chasing cold leads.
Is She Really Gone (Book 2)
Patterson's investigation takes her to Dallas, where she is paired with a cocky rookie partner. As she tries to balance a demanding new case involving a string of murders, she continues to pull at the threads of Julie's disappearance, realizing that the conspiracy behind her sister's kidnapping is far larger than she ever imagined.
All the Dead Girls (Book 3)
The stakes increase as Patterson follows a trail of victims that points to a highly organized serial killer. Each clue she uncovers seems to mock her personal tragedy, forcing her to confront her own past traumas while trying to prevent another young woman from meeting a grim fate.
Never Let Her Go (Book 4)
Set in Amarillo, Texas, this installment pushes Patterson to her absolute limits. When a key witness in her sister's case is targeted, Patterson must go off-grid to protect them, untangling a web of corruption that reaches into the upper echelons of law enforcement.
Dark Road From Sunrise (Book 5)
Spanning from Dallas and Amarillo to Santa Fe, this book marks a turning point in the series. The psychological toll of the investigation begins to wear on Patterson as the gap between her and Julie's captors narrows, leading to a high-suspense pursuit across the American Southwest.
I Will Find Her (Book 6)
A new clue leads Patterson to San Diego, bringing her face-to-face with an old enemy and a dangerous new predator. This installment is widely regarded as the explosive initial conclusion to the mystery of Julie's disappearance, wrapping up major plot threads while leaving room for Patterson's continued career.
What Once Was Lost (Book 7)
Released later in 2024, this book continues Patterson Blake's FBI career. With the central mystery of her sister resolved or changed, Patterson takes on new complex criminal profiles, proving that her journey as an FBI Special Agent is far from over.
A.M. Strong Standalone Thrillers
Outside of the Patterson Blake series, A.M. Strong and Sonya Sargent write standalone psychological thrillers that offer self-contained mysteries filled with twists, perfect for readers looking for a quick, thrilling read without a long-term commitment.
- The Last Girl Left (2024) - Focuses on Tessa Chamberlain, the sole survivor of a horrific beach house massacre. Five years after the tragedy, she returns to the scene of the crime, only to discover that the killer's work might not be finished.
- Gravewater Lake (2025) - A psychological thriller about a woman who wakes up on the frozen shore of a remote lake with total amnesia. Seeking refuge with a mysterious stranger in a cabin, she slowly realizes her rescuer may be hiding a deadly secret.
- A Place to Die For (2026) - A tense thriller about a young couple who move into an exclusive, historic co-op building in Boston, only to uncover the building's historic and deadly secrets.
What to Know Before You Start
A.M. Strong is a pen name used by Anthony M. Strong specifically for his collaborative crime and mystery thrillers written alongside his wife, Sonya Sargent. Under his full name, Anthony M. Strong, he writes supernatural adventure and horror novels, most notably the long-running John Decker series. If you enjoy supernatural elements, check out his Anthony M. Strong catalog; if you prefer realistic FBI procedurals and psychological suspense, stick to the A.M. Strong pen name.
The collaboration between Strong and Sargent is a true partnership: Strong handles the primary writing, while Sargent manages the critical tasks of proofreading, promotional coordination, and cover design, ensuring each book delivers a polished, fast-paced reading experience.