How to Read Caitlin Mullen’s Books
Caitlin Mullen has established herself as a key voice in contemporary noir and psychological thrillers. Known for her lyrical prose, atmospheric settings, and empathetic focus on marginalized women, her works are deeply rooted in the gritty underbelly of New Jersey. Because her books are standalone novels and individual short pieces rather than a serialized narrative, you have complete flexibility in how you approach her bibliography.
However, to get the absolute best experience of her evolution as a writer, we recommend reading her works in order of release. Below, you will find our recommended starting point and detailed breakdowns of her publications.
The Recommended Starting Point
For most readers, the best place to start is with Mullen's award-winning debut novel, Please See Us (2020). This book serves as the perfect introduction to her style, showcasing her ability to blend complex, multi-perspective mystery with sharp social commentary. It establishes her signature focus on atmospheric settings—in this case, a decaying Atlantic City—and stories centered on women who society has overlooked.
If you prefer a quicker introduction to her writing style before committing to a full novel, you can start with her debut short story, Deep Enough (2017). This piece is set in the New Jersey Pine Barrens and acts as a thematic precursor to her longer works, dealing with grief, isolated landscapes, and emotional depth.
Caitlin Mullen Books in Publication Order
Because Caitlin Mullen’s stories do not share characters or direct plot continuities, the publication order is the most natural way to experience her catalog. Reading them chronologically by release allows you to watch her themes of regional folklore, crime, and female resilience develop over time.
1. Deep Enough (2017)
Originally published in the literary magazine Day One, this short story is Mullen's first official publication. It follows a grieving widow navigating her loss against the haunting backdrop of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. It is a quiet, emotional character study that highlights the author's early talent for merging setting and psyche.
2. Please See Us (2020)
Mullen’s debut full-length novel centers on two women in Atlantic City: Clara, a young psychic who experiences disturbing visions, and Lily, a former art gallery worker searching for a fresh start. When Clara’s visions link to a series of missing women whose bodies are being discovered in the salt marshes, the two team up to investigate. The book was inspired by the real-life, unsolved 2006 murders of four women in West Atlantic City, bringing a gritty sense of reality and urgency to the narrative. The book won the 2021 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
3. "What my mother taught me about sex" in Moms Don't Have Time To (2021)
This is a non-fiction essay contributed to the quarantine anthology Moms Don't Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology, edited by Zibby Owens. While not a thriller, it offers readers a personal glimpse into Mullen's reflective writing style and her relationship with themes of family and womanhood.
4. Heather (2026)
Mullen’s highly anticipated second novel returns to the New Jersey Pine Barrens, weaving a dual-timeline mystery around local cryptid folklore. The plot jumps between 1994, when twin sisters Annabelle and Sabrina disappear after one of them begins an affair with an older man, and the present day, where a newly instated Police Chief, Callie Hauser, uncovers clues that revive the decades-old cold case. The novel uses the local legend of the Jersey Devil as an atmospheric backdrop to explore generational trauma, motherhood, and the difficult choices women make to survive.
What to Know Before You Start
Caitlin Mullen’s thrillers are character-driven and lean heavily into the literary side of the genre. If you are expecting fast-paced, action-heavy detective procedurals, you might be surprised by her deliberate pace. Instead, her strength lies in exploring the psychological aftermath of crime, the dynamics of small-town communities, and the systemic vulnerabilities of her female protagonists.
Her books are set in specific New Jersey regions—from the coastal boardwalks of Atlantic City to the dense bogs of the Pine Barrens. These areas act as central characters themselves, heightening the eerie, isolated atmosphere of the mysteries. While the books touch on dark themes, including violence and exploitation, Mullen handles these topics with empathy and sensitivity, avoiding gratuitous depictions in favor of focusing on the humanity and resilience of the victims.