Brandilyn Collins Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Brandilyn Collins

Brandilyn Collins is famous for her trademark "Seatbelt Suspense"—heart-stopping, fast-paced Christian thrillers that feature forensic science, psychological depth, and strong faith elements without being overly preachy. Because she has written multiple series in different subgenres, as well as standalones, your starting point depends on what style you prefer:

• For Flagship Suspense: Start with Brink of Death (2004). This is the first book in the Hidden Faces series, which centers on forensic artist Annie Kingston and represents her most popular work.
• For Cozy Town Suspense: Start with Violet Dawn (2006), the opener to the Kanner Lake series. It features a recurring cast of quirky townspeople in Idaho who keep getting caught in dangerous mysteries.
• For Supernatural Vibe: Start with her debut suspense novel, Eyes of Elisha (2001), featuring Chelsea Adams, a woman who receives crime-solving visions from God.
• For a Standalone Thrill: Grab Dark Pursuit (2008). It is a highly acclaimed, fast-paced standalone about a woman desperately trying to find her kidnapped daughter while protecting a secret.
• For Emotional Drama: If you want to skip the suspense and read heartfelt women's fiction, start with Cast a Road Before Me (2001), the beginning of her warm, Kentucky-based Bradleyville trilogy.

The Chelsea Adams & Hidden Faces Crossover Connection

One of the most common questions readers ask is whether Collins's series overlap. For the most part, her series are completely independent. However, there is one major exception that connects her first suspense duology with her flagship forensic series.

Chelsea Adams is the protagonist of Collins's earliest suspense novels. She is a woman who experiences physical and visual signs—referred to as "visions"—that lead her to assist in murder investigations. This duology consists of:

1. Eyes of Elisha (2001)
2. Dread Champion (2002)

While the Hidden Faces series follows forensic artist Annie Kingston, Collins brought Chelsea Adams back for a surprise crossover in the fourth and final book of the Hidden Faces series, Web of Lies (2006). If you want the full story of Chelsea Adams and how her path crosses with Annie Kingston, you should read the Chelsea Adams duology before diving into the final book of the Hidden Faces series. The complete narrative order for this specific crossover experience is:

1. Eyes of Elisha (Chelsea Adams #1)
2. Dread Champion (Chelsea Adams #2)
3. Brink of Death (Hidden Faces #1)
4. Stain of Guilt (Hidden Faces #2)
5. Dead of Night (Hidden Faces #3)
6. Web of Lies (Hidden Faces #4) - Featuring Chelsea Adams

The Kanner Lake Series

Set in the fictional town of Kanner Lake, Idaho, this series combines small-town atmosphere with high-stakes crime. Unlike the forensic-focused Hidden Faces, Kanner Lake focuses heavily on community, secrets, and how local characters react to unexpected violence. These books must be read in publication order, as the overarching town narrative and character relationships progress from book to book:

1. Violet Dawn (2006)
2. Coral Moon (2007)
3. Crimson Eve (2007)
4. Amber Morn (2008)

The Rayne Tour Series (YA Suspense)

Co-authored with her daughter, Amberly Collins, this trilogy is aimed at young adults but has been widely enjoyed by adult suspense fans. The story follows Shaley O'Connor, the teenage daughter of a massive rock star, who gets pulled into dangerous mysteries and family secrets while on tour. Read them in this strict chronological order:

1. Always Watching (2009)
2. Last Breath (2009)
3. Final Touch (2010)

The Women's Fiction Series

Before and during her suspense career, Collins wrote character-driven contemporary women's fiction. These books trade forensic science and serial killers for family relationships, emotional struggles, and small-town charm.

The Bradleyville Books

Set in Kentucky, this trilogy focuses on family drama, multi-generational relationships, and emotional faith journeys. They should be read in order:

1. Cast a Road Before Me (2001)
2. Color the Sidewalk for Me (2002)
3. Capture the Wind for Me (2003)

The Dearing Family Books

This duology is set in Mississippi and centers on the tight-knit, boisterous Dearing family. It mixes emotional drama with lighter comedy-drama elements, following Ben Dearing and his fiancée, Christina, as they navigate family reunions and traumatic pasts:

1. That Dog Won't Hunt (2013)
2. Pitchin' a Fit (2014)

Standalone Novels

Collins has written a variety of standalone psychological thrillers. These can be read in any order, at any time, as they do not share characters or settings. They are perfect for readers looking for quick, high-intensity resolutions:

• Dark Pursuit (2008)
• Exposure (2009)
• Deceit (2010)
• Over the Edge (2011)
• Gone to Ground (2012)
• Double Blind (2012)
• Dark Justice (2013)
• Sidetracked (2014)
• Vain Empires (2016)
• Plummet (2017)

What to Know Before You Start

Brandilyn Collins announced a hiatus from novel writing in 2020 to dedicate her time to prayer and intercession, meaning her last published novel remains 2017's Plummet. However, her extensive catalog remains highly popular among suspense readers. Because of the heavy emphasis on forensics, psychology, and faith, fans of authors like Terri Blackstock, Irene Hannon, and Dee Henderson will find her books to be a perfect match. While the stories deal with dark themes like murder, abduction, and psychological abuse, they maintain a clean presentation suitable for the Christian fiction market.