Where to Start Reading Avery Bishop
Because all of Avery Bishop’s books are standalone psychological thrillers, there is no strict chronological timeline or narrative continuity to follow. You can read them in any order you choose. However, the absolute best place to start is with the debut novel, Girl Gone Mad (2020). It remains the author's most popular book, perfectly showcasing their signature style of tense pacing, deep psychological trauma, and sudden twists.
If you prefer a shorter story or a unique storytelling format, the epistolary novella Dear Seraphina is a fantastic alternative entry point that reads very quickly.
Avery Bishop Books in Publication Order
If you want to experience the progression of the author's style under this pen name, reading in publication order is highly recommended:
- Girl Gone Mad (2020) – Debut Novel
- Dear Seraphina (2021) – Novella (Audible Original; print edition released in 2022)
- One Year Gone (2021) – Novel
- The Chateau (2025) – Novel (Audible Original; print/ebook in 2026)
- The Girls in the Dark (2026) – Novel
Inside the Standalone Thrillers
Girl Gone Mad (2020)
This debut psychological thriller dives into the long-lasting psychological scars of teenage bullying. The story focuses on Emily Bennett, a therapist who was once part of a cruel middle school clique known as "the Harpies." When members of her old group begin dying under mysterious circumstances, Emily is forced to determine if their childhood victim, Grace, has returned for revenge—or if her own mind is playing tricks on her.
Dear Seraphina (2021)
Initially released as an Audible Original, this short and fast-paced psychological suspense novella is told entirely through letters. The story documents the growing, unhealthy obsession of a fan writing to a young, glamorous Hollywood actress, leading to a shocking and unpredictable climax.
One Year Gone (2021)
This emotional mystery focuses on Jessica Moore, a mother desperate to find her missing teenage daughter, Wyn. A year after Wyn's disappearance, Jessica begins receiving cryptic text messages from her daughter's phone number indicating she is still alive. To find the truth, Jessica must navigate a web of secrets in her small town, risking everything to bring her daughter home.
The Chateau (2025)
Released as an Audible Original thriller in late 2025 before transitioning to print, this novel follows newlyweds Nina and Michael Carr. What was supposed to be a romantic getaway at an exclusive Catskill Mountains resort quickly devolves into a terrifying nightmare following a shocking murder.
The Girls in the Dark (2026)
This suspense novel follows a woman haunted by the abduction of her twin sister twenty years ago. When a woman claiming to be her long-lost sister suddenly reappears, the protagonist must unravel the dark truth behind the night they were separated, revealing secrets that threaten to tear her life apart.
What to Know Before You Start: The Author Behind the Pen
Avery Bishop is a pseudonym for the USA Today bestselling and ITW Thriller Award-winning author Robert Swartwood. Swartwood is a highly prolific writer who publishes under both his real name and various pen names. While he writes across multiple genres, he reserves the Avery Bishop name exclusively for psychological suspense and thriller projects.
Readers should also note that some of Bishop's works are released as Audible Originals first. Audio listeners can access titles like Dear Seraphina and The Chateau early, while print and ebook readers typically have to wait a few months to a year for physical releases.