Where to Start with Andrea Kane
Andrea Kane's career is split into two distinct eras: her early historical romances and her later contemporary romantic suspense and psychological thrillers. If you are new to her writing, your best starting point depends on your preferred genre:
- For Thriller and Suspense Fans: Start with The Girl Who Disappeared Twice (2011). This novel launches her flagship Forensic Instincts series, which features her most popular team of maverick investigators.
- For the Complete Suspense Experience: If you want to see how her characters grow and cross paths from the very beginning, start with the Pete "Monty" Montgomery series (beginning with Wrong Place, Wrong Time), followed by the Burbank & Parker novels, and then move on to Forensic Instincts.
- For Historical Romance Fans: Start with My Heart's Desire (1991), her debut novel and the first book in the Barrett Books series, or dive into The Last Duke (1995) to explore her Thornton family saga.
The Forensic Instincts Reading Order
The Forensic Instincts series is Andrea Kane's most famous and longest-running contemporary suspense saga. It centers on an eclectic, highly specialized team of maverick investigators including behaviorists, tech geniuses, and former Navy SEALs who handle high-stakes cases using unorthodox methods. While the books are designed to be enjoyed as standalones, they feature ongoing character developments that are best experienced in publication order:
- The Girl Who Disappeared Twice (2011)
- Lockdown (2012) (Novella / Book 1.5)
- The Line Between Here and Gone (2012)
- The Stranger You Know (2013)
- The Silence That Speaks (2015)
- The Murder That Never Was (2016)
- A Face to Die For (2017)
- Dead in a Week (2020)
- No Stone Unturned (2020)
- At Any Cost (2022)
- Struck Dead (2024)
- Life or Death (2026)
The Connected Contemporary Suspense Universe
Before launching Forensic Instincts, Andrea Kane wrote several contemporary romantic suspense novels and two duologies that exist in the exact same universe. Characters from these books frequently cross over, share intelligence, or cooperate under dire circumstances.
Pete "Monty" Montgomery Books
This duology centers on Pete "Monty" Montgomery, a gritty former NYPD detective turned private investigator, and his daughter Devon. Monty and Devon frequently pop up as key allies in Kane's other contemporary suspense books.
- Wrong Place, Wrong Time (2005)
- Dark Room (2007)
Burbank & Parker (FBI) Books
This series follows FBI Special Agents Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker. As a specialist in hostage negotiations, Sloane's skills often intersect with the work of Forensic Instincts. These novels should be read in order, and they lay direct groundwork for the character relationships in Forensic Instincts.
- Twisted (2008)
- Drawn in Blood (2009)
Andrea Kane's Historical Romance Series
Before transitioning to modern-day crime writing, Kane was celebrated for her lush, detailed historical romance novels, primarily set in Regency and Victorian England. These subseries are best read in their individual publication order:
Barrett Books
- My Heart's Desire (1991)
- Samantha (1994)
Kingsley In Love / Kingsley Family Books
- Echoes in the Mist (1994)
- Wishes in the Wind (1996)
Thornton Books & Bromleighs
This series explores the aristocratic Thornton and Bromleigh families. While they function as standalone historicals, the author recommends reading the main novels together, with the holiday novella Yuletide Treasure bridging the gap.
- The Last Duke (1995)
- Yuletide Treasure (1995) (Novella, originally published in the 'A Gift of Love' anthology)
- The Theft (1998)
Black Diamond Books
- Legacy of the Diamond (1997)
- The Black Diamond (1997)
The Colby's Coin Books
- The Gold Coin (1999)
- The Silver Coin (1999)
Standalone Contemporary Suspense Novels
In addition to her series, Kane has written several standalone contemporary thrillers. These can be read at any point in your reading journey without worrying about continuity or spoilers:
- Dream Castle (1992)
- Masque of Betrayal (1993)
- Emerald Garden (1996)
- The Music Box (1998)
- Run for Your Life (2000)
- No Way Out (2001)
- Scent of Danger (2003)
- I'll Be Watching You (2005)
- Stone Cold (2012) (Suspense Novella, also featured in the 'Wait Until Dark' anthology)
What to Know Before You Start
Andrea Kane's thrillers are notable for their blend of high-tech forensics, psychological investigation, and character-driven romance. Some books in the Forensic Instincts series also feature subtle paranormal elements, such as characters with clairvoyant abilities, adding a unique flavor to standard procedural thrillers. Since characters from her FBI and private detective series cross over into the Forensic Instincts series, reading her contemporary thrillers in chronological order of publication provides the most rewarding experience as you spot familiar faces aiding the main cast.