How to Start Reading Ann Reardon
Entering the bibliography of Ann Reardon requires recognizing that her literary contributions are split between two distinct genres: culinary education and young adult historical fiction. Because these categories do not overlap in narrative, your starting point depends entirely on what you are looking to read.
For home bakers, food science enthusiasts, and fans of her popular YouTube channel How to Cook That, the clear starting point is her bestselling cookbook, How to Cook That: Crazy Sweet Creations (2021). This is a standalone volume designed to guide readers through both simple desserts and complex, artistic pastry projects while explaining the chemical and physical science that makes baking work.
For readers of fiction, Ann Reardon's footprint comes in her role as editor, creative partner, and promoter for the historical fiction series written by her husband, Dave Reardon. This young adult adventure series begins with The Deep Enders (2016) and continues with the sequel, The Deep Enders: Deadline (2024). These books must be read in chronological order to follow the development of the characters and the overarching historical plot.
The Culinary Masterpiece: Crazy Sweet Creations
Published in 2021, How to Cook That: Crazy Sweet Creations is structured to serve as both an instructional recipe book and a food science guide. Drawing from Reardon's background as a qualified dietitian and food scientist, the cookbook goes beyond standard ingredient lists to explain the "why" behind successful baking and the common points of failure.
The cookbook is divided into six main chapters, allowing readers to navigate by dessert type:
- Fun Easy Desserts: Accessible entry-level recipes designed to build confidence in the kitchen.
- Perfect Cakes and Cupcakes: A deep dive into sponge structures, batter science, and achieving the ideal crumb.
- Craving Chocolate: A chapter dedicated to the complexities of working with chocolate, including tempering techniques.
- Art on a Plate: Advanced plating concepts, sugar art, and visual styling for high-end presentation.
- Show-Off Pastries: Laminated doughs, choux pastry, and intricate baking projects.
- We All Scream for Ice Cream: Frozen desserts, detailing the science of crystallization and fat distribution.
A notable feature of the book is its Frosting 101 guide, which troubleshoots common frosting issues, such as split mixtures or runny consistencies. In addition, to accommodate an international audience, all recipes are fully converted with measurements provided in both metric grams and imperial units (ounces and cups).
The YA Fiction Connection: The Deep Enders Series
While Dave Reardon is the primary author of The Deep Enders series, Ann Reardon played a major role in its creation and editing. This collaboration represents a unique bridge between digital video platforms and traditional book publishing.
In 2016, during the development of the first novel, Ann and Dave Reardon leveraged the How to Cook That YouTube audience to crowd-source elements of the story. Viewers submitted over 25,000 suggestions for character names, character traits, and specific plot developments, which were curated and integrated into the final manuscript. Ann edited the text to ensure pacing and tone aligned with the adventurous, suspenseful nature of the story.
1. The Deep Enders (2016)
The first book is set in 1942, immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story follows 16-year-old Murph Turner, who escapes to the remote town of Broome in Northwest Australia after losing his family. There, he becomes entangled in a dangerous underworld of pearl divers, spies, and wartime threats. This novel establishes the central cast, the historical setting, and the survival themes that define the series.
2. The Deep Enders: Deadline (2024)
The long-awaited sequel picks up the narrative thread, continuing Murph's journey through the challenges of World War II. Readers must read the first book before starting Deadline, as the sequel builds directly on the relationships, secrets, and historical conflicts established in Broome.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, keep these structural details in mind:
- Standalone Cookbook: Crazy Sweet Creations does not require any prior reading. However, it functions as a physical companion to her YouTube channel, where video tutorials demonstrate the visual techniques described in the text.
- Strict Chronology for Fiction: If you are reading The Deep Enders, do not skip to the second book. The narrative is continuous, tracking Murph's growth and the shifting dangers of wartime Australia.
- Dietary Science vs. Indulgence: Despite Reardon's professional background as a dietitian, her cookbook focuses on decadent, sugary creations. The science included is aimed at baking chemistry rather than dietary restriction, reflecting her philosophy of balanced enjoyment.