B.R. Spangler Books in Order

Where to Start with B.R. Spangler

If you are new to B.R. Spangler's books, the absolute best place to start is with his bestselling Detective Casey White series. Set against the atmospheric, windswept backdrop of the Outer Banks in North Carolina, this gripping crime thriller series showcases Spangler's ability to blend intense police procedurals with deeply emotional personal stakes. The first book in the series, Where Lost Girls Go (also published under the title Taken from Home), introduces Casey White as she searches for a missing teenager while grappling with the haunting, unresolved disappearance of her own daughter. To fully appreciate the character development, recurring relationships, and overarching subplots, this series should be read in publication order.

For readers who prefer science fiction or post-apocalyptic settings, Spangler's Dark Skies Apocalypse series or his early work under the pen name Brian Spangler (like the Gray series) offer excellent alternative entry points. Spangler's background as an engineer shines through in his speculative fiction, offering a unique contrast to the raw, character-driven emotion of his crime thrillers.

Detective Casey White Series in Order

The Detective Casey White series is B.R. Spangler's signature work. Because Casey's personal journey—specifically her quest to find her missing daughter and her evolving relationships with her colleagues—develops chronologically across the books, you should read them in order of publication:

• Where Lost Girls Go (2020) - Also published as Taken from Home. This is the crucial first book that sets up Casey's move to the Outer Banks and her drive to solve missing persons cases.
• The Innocent Girls (2020)
• Saltwater Graves (2020)
• The Crying House (2021)
• The Memory Bones (2021)
• The Lighthouse Girls (2022)
• Taken Before Dawn (2022)
• Their Resting Place (2023)
• Two Little Souls (2023)
• Our Sister's Grave (2023)
• Her Last Hour (2024)
• Gone in the Storm (2025)
• Shadow on Her Grave (2025)

Agent Nichelle Wilkinson Series (New for 2026)

In 2026, Spangler expanded his crime thriller universe with the introduction of Agent Nichelle Wilkinson. This series follows a forensic specialist and former crime scene investigator who returns to her childhood home in Philadelphia to track down serial killers. Like the Casey White books, these are intense, fast-paced, and highly emotional, drawing on Nichelle's past in the foster care system. Start this series in order:

1. Stolen Grace (2026)
2. Losing Alice (2026)

Affair With Murder Series in Order

Before creating Casey White, Spangler published this fast-paced mystery trilogy in 2018. It focuses on dark secrets, domestic suspense, and twisty crime investigations. Read them in the following order:

1. Killing Katie (2018)
2. Painful Truths (2018)
3. Grave Mistakes (2018)

Sci-Fi and Speculative Fiction Series

Spangler has a deep passion for science fiction and speculative fiction, frequently writing under his pen name, Brian Spangler. These books offer a distinct change of pace from his police procedurals.

The Caustic Series

A dark, speculative thriller series written under the name Brian Spangler. All four entries were released in rapid succession during 2017:

1. Fallen (2017)
2. Endure (2017)
3. Deceit (2017)
4. Reveal (2017)

The Dark Skies Apocalypse Series

This apocalyptic survival series was released in 2024. It follows survivors navigating a world plunged into darkness and chaos:

1. When the Sky Falls (2024)
2. When the Dawn Breaks (2024)

The Gray Series

This sci-fi thriller series was written under the name Brian Spangler. Note that sources differ slightly on the exact publication order, but the general order is:

• Gray Skies (2013) / End of Gray Skies (2013/2016)
• Into the Dark (2016)

Standalone Novels, Novellas, and Companion Works

If you want to sample Spangler's writing outside of a major series, he has written several standalone works across different genres:

• Superman's Cape (originally 2012, re-released in 2023) - Spangler's debut novel, exploring emotional themes of grief and resilience.
• An Order of Coffee and Tears (2012) - Also published as Coffee and Tears (2013), this contemporary novel focuses on redemption and finding solace.
• Deadly Tide (2017) - A standalone thriller featuring Sheriff Jericho Flynn, perfect for fans of his coastal mysteries.
• Lottery (2019) - A novella written as part of the shared Silo Saga Universe, originally created by Hugh Howey.
• Naked Moon (2014) and Portals (2018/2021) - Short stories and novellas representing his early speculative and paranormal writing.

What to Know Before You Start

When diving into B.R. Spangler's books, keep the following tips in mind to get the most out of your reading experience:

• Pen Names: Spangler has published works under the names Brian Spangler, B.A. Spangler, and Darren Cole. If you are searching for his science fiction or older thrillers, you may need to look for these names.
• Double Titles: The first Detective Casey White novel was originally released as Taken from Home before being re-titled and widely distributed by Bookouture as Where Lost Girls Go. They are the exact same book, so you do not need to buy both!
• Settings: Spangler uses real coastal locations in North Carolina for the Casey White series, which adds an authentic, atmospheric layer to the stories.