How to Start Reading Candice Fox
If you are new to Candice Fox's dark, gritty, and often wickedly funny world of crime fiction, you have two primary entry routes depending on what kind of thrill you are seeking. For readers who want pure, unfiltered Australian noir with complex characters and psychological depth, the absolute best place to start is with her solo work. Specifically, you should begin with either Hades (the debut of the Archer & Bennett trilogy) or Crimson Lake (the start of the Ted Conkaffey and Amanda Pharrell series).
On the other hand, if you prefer fast-paced, high-octane blockbusters, you might want to start with her collaborations with thriller titan James Patterson. Their partnership began with the Detective Harriet Blue series, starting with the prequel novella Black & Blue or the first full-length novel Never Never. These co-authored books combine Fox's raw, atmospheric style with Patterson's trademark short chapters and relentless pacing.
The Archer & Bennett Series
This is where Candice Fox's career began. Set in the dark underbelly of Sydney, the series follows detectives Frank Bennett and Eden Archer. Eden is a highly unusual protagonist—a detective who is also a vigilante killer, raised by a criminal named Hades who keeps a private dump for bodies. The trilogy has a tight, overarching narrative, meaning you absolutely must read them in order. The series includes:
- Hades (2014) – Introduces detectives Frank Bennett and Eden Archer as they investigate a bizarre double homicide that leads back to Hades' junkyard.
- Eden (2014) – Focuses on Eden Archer as she goes undercover to find a killer targeting young women, while Frank tries to uncover Eden's dark secrets.
- Fall (2015) – The thrilling conclusion where Frank and Eden investigate a series of murders in Sydney's high-society apartment blocks, culminating in a final confrontation between the partners.
The Crimson Lake Series (Ted Conkaffey & Amanda Pharrell)
Set in the humid, crocodile-infested wetlands of Far North Queensland, the Crimson Lake series is widely considered Fox's masterpiece. The story follows Ted Conkaffey, a disgraced former police detective falsely accused of a horrific crime, and Amanda Pharrell, a brilliant but eccentric private investigator who served time for murder. Together, they form an unlikely and volatile partnership to solve cases while dealing with hostile locals. This series was adapted into the popular Australian television series Troppo. Like the Archer & Bennett series, these books should be read in chronological order to follow the development of the characters' complex personal lives:
- Crimson Lake (2017) – Ted and Amanda team up to investigate the disappearance of a local author in the tropical north.
- Redemption Point (2018) – Ted tries to clear his name once and for all while investigating a brutal double murder at a local highway oasis.
- Gone by Midnight (2019) – The duo is hired to find a boy who vanished from a hotel room, leading them into the dark world of online criminal networks.
The Detective Harriet Blue Series (with James Patterson)
Co-authored with James Patterson, this high-energy series features Harriet Blue, a brilliant but short-tempered detective in Sydney who finds herself pushed to the absolute limit. This series should be read in publication order to track Harriet's descent from a dedicated cop to a fugitive fighting for survival. The order is as follows:
- Black & Blue (2016) – A short prequel novella published under Patterson's "BookShots" imprint, introducing Harriet and her partner Tate "Tox" Barnes.
- Never Never (2016) – The first full-length novel. Harriet is sent to a remote mining town in the Australian outback to investigate a series of disappearances, while trying to process devastating news about her own brother.
- Fifty Fifty (2017) – Harriet teams up with detective Lish Redlands to track down a killer in the Australian bush, while her brother's case reaches a boiling point.
- Liar Liar (2018) – Harriet goes on the run as a fugitive, hunted by her own colleagues while trying to stop a mass murderer.
- Hush (2019) (also published as Hush Hush) – The series finale finds a jailed Harriet offered a chance at freedom if she can locate the kidnapped daughter and grandchild of the police commissioner.
The Jessica Sanchez Series
Following her success with Australian-based thrillers, Fox expanded into American settings. Her novel Gathering Dark introduces Jessica Sanchez, a disillusioned LAPD detective, and Blair Harbour, a disgraced former doctor convicted of murder. While some classify it as a standalone, it is designed as the beginning of a new character arc for Detective Sanchez:
- Gathering Dark (2020) – Detective Sanchez and the recently paroled Blair Harbour form an uneasy alliance to locate a missing teenager in Los Angeles.
Standalone Novels and Audio Originals
For readers looking for self-contained thrillers that can be enjoyed in any order, Fox has written several standalone books, many of which are set in the United States and feature high-stakes, action-packed premises:
- The Inn (2019) (with James Patterson) – A standalone thriller set in a coastal town in Massachusetts, where a group of outcasts must defend their local sanctuary from a ruthless crime boss.
- The Chase (2021) – A high-concept prison breakout thriller set in the Nevada desert, where over 600 dangerous inmates escape, sparking a massive manhunt.
- 2 Sisters Detective Agency (2021) (with James Patterson) – A fast-paced standalone about two half-sisters who inherit their father's private detective agency and immediately stumble into a dangerous conspiracy.
- Hunting Game (2023) – A fast-paced Audible Original audio drama featuring a full voice cast, following an NYPD detective tracking a serial killer.
- Fire with Fire (2023) – A tense hostage thriller set in Los Angeles, where two desperate parents take an LAPD forensics lab hostage to force the police to find their missing daughter.
- Devil's Kitchen (2024) – An undercover thriller following an agent who penetrates a tight-knit crew of corrupt, asset-stealing firefighters in New York.
- The Murder Inn (2024) (with James Patterson) – A standalone mystery involving a remote coastal retreat where secrets lead to deadly consequences.
- High Wire (2024) – A white-knuckle thriller about a driver who finds himself trapped in a high-stakes cross-country game of survival.
- Redbelly Crossing (2026) – A gritty work of Australian outback noir following two estranged brothers investigating a murder in an isolated town.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone & Reading Advice
Before diving in, keep in mind that Candice Fox’s books do not shy away from darkness. Her solo series, particularly Hades, deal with highly sensitive and graphic subjects. However, she balances the grim themes with a sharp sense of black humor and extremely vivid settings. While the Crimson Lake trilogy and the Harriet Blue books are best read in order, you can pick up any of her standalone thrillers like The Chase or Fire with Fire without any prior context. Furthermore, note that while her solo works are deeply atmospheric and character-driven, the books she co-writes with James Patterson lean heavily into plot-driven, fast-paced action. Knowing this distinction will help you choose the right book for your current mood.