How to Read Anne Heltzel’s Books
Anne Heltzel’s novels are all standalone psychological thrillers and horror stories, meaning there is no overarching continuity, shared universe, or chronological order to worry about. You can read them in any order you choose without missing any plot connections or character arcs.
Because there is no narrative connection between the books, the most practical approach is to decide whether you want to start with her dark, atmospheric young adult fiction or her breakout adult gothic horror novel, and then read in order of publication or personal interest.
The Recommended Starting Point
If you are new to Anne Heltzel, we highly recommend starting with her adult horror debut, Just Like Mother (2022). Published by Tor Nightfire, this book represents the peak of Heltzel's psychological storytelling and feminist commentary. It is an intense, modern gothic horror novel that pays homage to classics like Rosemary’s Baby while tackling modern societal pressures surrounding fertility, motherhood, and female autonomy.
For readers who prefer young adult mystery and suspense, Charlie, Presumed Dead (2015) is the best entry point. It is a fast-paced, globetrotting thriller that keeps you guessing about the true fate of a young man who supposedly died in a plane crash, told through the perspectives of the two girls he was secretly dating at the same time.
Anne Heltzel Books in Publication Order
If you want to watch Heltzel's style evolve from surreal teen drama to complex, visceral adult horror, reading her works in order of release is a great option. Note that her second novel was originally published under a pen name.
- Circle Nine (2011) — Heltzel's debut young adult novel, published by Candlewick Press. It is a surreal, dreamlike story of a girl named Abby who wakes up in a smoke-filled cave with no memory of her past, accompanied by a mysterious boy named Sam.
- The Ruining (2013) — A young adult thriller published by HarperCollins under the pseudonym Anna Collomore. The story follows a teen named Annie who escapes her difficult home life to work as a nanny for a wealthy family on Belvedere Island, only to find herself trapped in a toxic web of manipulation and psychological warfare with the family's mother.
- Charlie, Presumed Dead (2015) — A YA mystery published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Set against the backdrops of Paris and India, it follows two teenagers, Sasha and Maeve, who meet at the memorial of their boyfriend Charlie and team up to discover if he is actually still alive.
- Just Like Mother (2022) — Heltzel's adult debut, published by Tor Nightfire. A chilling gothic novel about Maeve, a survivor of a motherhood cult, who reconnects with her cousin Andrea, only to realize that the dark influences of her childhood are closer and more dangerous than ever.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Heltzel’s bibliography, it helps to understand the recurring themes that make her novels unique:
The Pseudonym: Don't overlook The Ruining just because it was published under the name Anna Collomore. It features the same intense psychological manipulation and claustrophobic tension that Heltzel later perfected in Just Like Mother.
Feminist Commentary and Psychological Dread: Heltzel's books frequently focus on toxic relationships, gaslighting, and the societal expectations placed on young women. She specializes in unreliable narrators and characters who are forced to question their own memories and sanity.
Unresolved and Open Endings: Readers should be prepared for endings that do not always tie up every mystery in a neat bow. Both The Ruining and Circle Nine are known for ambiguous, atmospheric conclusions that leave room for reader interpretation, focusing more on the psychological fallout of the characters' trauma than on neat resolutions.