The Recommended Reading Path
If you are ready to plunge into the suspenseful world of August Norman, the path is straightforward but highly rewarding. The best place to start is with his debut novel, Come and Get Me, before moving on to the sequel, Sins of the Mother. Because the protagonist's personal history, psychological trauma, and family secrets evolve significantly from one book to the next, reading them in order is highly recommended for the best experience.
Caitlin Bergman Mystery Series in Order
August Norman's primary focus is his character-driven thriller series featuring Caitlin Bergman, an award-winning investigative journalist. Below is the detailed publication and chronological order of the books:
1. Come and Get Me (2019)
In this debut thriller, readers are introduced to Caitlin Bergman, a fierce and relentless journalist who has built a career on exposing corruption and seeking justice. The story begins when Caitlin returns to her alma mater, Indiana University in Bloomington, to accept an honorary degree. However, this trip is far from a simple celebration. She is forced to confront the unresolved trauma of her own undergraduate years, specifically a sexual assault that was poorly handled by local authorities.
While on campus, a desperate student begs Caitlin to investigate the disappearance of Angela Chapman, a young woman who vanished after a Friday night out. Compelled by her own past and her investigative instincts, Caitlin starts digging. She uncovers a terrifying pattern of a predator who has been systematically studying and abducting female students. As Caitlin draws closer to the truth, she realizes she has become the stalked target herself, leading to a tense race against time.
2. Sins of the Mother (2020)
The second installment shifts the setting to the atmospheric and stormy coast of Oregon. For forty years, Caitlin has told everyone that her birth mother, Maya, is dead. In reality, Maya abandoned Caitlin as an infant. That lie is shattered when a local sheriff contacts Caitlin to identify her mother's remains, which were discovered on land owned by a reclusive, doomsday cult known as the Daughters of God.
Upon arriving in Oregon, Caitlin finds herself caught in a lethal three-way conflict. On one side is the reclusive cult preparing for the end of the world, and on the other is the Larsens, a violent white-supremacist family who believes the cult kidnapped one of their teenagers. Armed with her mother's secret diary, Caitlin must navigate these dangerous factions to uncover the truth about her parentage and decide where her loyalties lie.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
For the Caitlin Bergman series, the chronological order is identical to the publication order. The timeline of Caitlin's life moves forward from the events at Indiana University to the dark discoveries in Oregon. Reading the books out of order is not advised because Sins of the Mother contains major spoilers regarding Caitlin's survival, her personal relationships, and the resolution of details first established in Come and Get Me.
What to Know Before You Start
August Norman brings a unique perspective to crime fiction. Having grown up in Central Indiana and spent over two decades in Los Angeles working as a writer, actor, and performing in long-running improv comedy, his books feature a cinematic quality. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is fast, and the scene transitions feel tailored for the screen.
Despite the fast pace, the books deal with heavy real-world issues including trauma, cult manipulation, systemic failure, and family abandonment. The author has received praise for his nuanced portrayal of a strong female lead, a process he aided by working closely with beta readers to ensure Caitlin's voice remained authentic and respectful.
Practical Reading Guidance
- Can they be read as standalones? While each book resolves its main central mystery (the missing student case in the first book, and the immediate conflict in Oregon in the second), the emotional core and family history of Caitlin Bergman run continuously across both novels. You will get much more out of the second book if you have read the first.
- Who will enjoy these books? Fans of gritty, character-driven investigative thrillers, psychological suspense, and complex female protagonists (such as those created by Tess Gerritsen, Julia Keller, or Karin Slaughter) will find Norman's work highly engaging.