Carol Ericson Books in Order

Where to Start with Carol Ericson

With over 50 novels, Carol Ericson is a master of romantic suspense. If you are new to her writing, you have two excellent starting points depending on your favorite tropes:

• For Military Romance: Start with the Brothers in Arms series. Beginning with Navy SEAL Security (2011), this series introduces you to her signature high-adrenaline plotting and close-knit squads of protective heroes.
• For Gritty Police Procedurals: Start with the Brody Law series. Beginning with The Hill (2014), it follows detective Sean Brody and features slightly darker, serial-killer-focused investigation plots.

Most of Ericson's novels can be read as standalones since each book focuses on a different couple. However, reading them in publication order within their respective series is highly recommended to follow the overarching background mysteries and enjoy recurring character cameos.

The Brothers in Arms Universe

This is Ericson's largest military universe, tracking elite operatives who face extreme danger while finding love. It is divided into three distinct chronological arcs:

1. Brothers in Arms (Core Series)

The original four books introduce the team of elite operatives. Note that the book Trap, Secure & Navy SEAL Security is a special omnibus bundle/crossover release containing work from the series.

1. Navy SEAL Security (2011)
2. Mountain Ranger Recon (2011)
3. Top Gun Guardian (2011)
4. Green Beret Bodyguard (2012)

2. Brothers in Arms: Fully Engaged

A direct subseries continuation focusing on intense tactical operations.

1. Conceal, Protect (2013)
2. Run, Hide (2013)
3. Trap, Secure (2013)
4. Catch, Release (2013)

3. Brothers in Arms: Retribution

The third block of the series, wrapping up long-running elements and delivering high-stakes domestic and international threats.

1. Toxic (2014)
2. Under Fire (2015)
3. The Pregnancy Plot (2015)
4. Navy SEAL Spy (2015)
5. Secret Agent Santa (2015)

The Red, White and Built Universe

Another massive military romance franchise, this series shifts the focus toward Navy SEALs and Delta Force operatives. It is organized into three connected segments:

1. Red, White and Built (Main SEALs Series)

Follows active-duty Navy SEALs on dangerous assignments.

1. Locked, Loaded and SEALed (2017)
2. Alpha Bravo SEAL (2017)
3. Bullseye: SEAL (2017)
4. Point Blank SEAL (2017)
5. Secured by the SEAL (2018)
6. Bulletproof SEAL (2018)

2. Red, White and Built: Pumped Up

A spin-off focusing on muscular Delta Force agents operating under pressure.

1. Delta Force Defender (2018)
2. Delta Force Daddy (2018)
3. Delta Force Die Hard (2018)

3. Red, White and Built: Delta Force Deliverance

The final trilogy in this military universe, delivering action-packed rescue missions.

1. Enemy Infiltration (2019)
2. Undercover Accomplice (2019)
3. Code Conspiracy (2019)

Procedural and Mystery Series

If you prefer coastal mysteries and police investigations over military operations, Ericson has written several standalone series that are tightly self-contained:

Brody Law

Set in a atmospheric, rain-slicked Pacific Northwest environment, this series follows the Brody family and their law enforcement battles.

1. The Hill (2014)
2. The Bridge (2014)
3. The District (2014)
4. The Wharf (2014)

Kyra and Jake Investigation

Follows detective Kyra and therapist Jake as they hunt down copycat serial killers.

1. The Setup (2021)
2. The Decoy (2021)
3. The Bait (2021)
4. The Trap (2021)

Discovery Bay

Set in a coastal California town, this series combines local folklore, dark secrets, and murder mysteries.

1. Misty Hollow Massacre (2023)
2. Point of Disappearance (2023)
3. Captured at the Cove (2024)
4. What Lies Below (2024)

The Lost Girls

A series centered on emotional, high-stakes search-and-rescue investigations for missing women.

1. Canyon Crime Scene (2022)
2. Lakeside Mystery (2022)
3. Dockside Danger (2022)
4. Malice at the Marina (2023)

Guardians of Coral Cove

Four suspenseful titles focusing on dangerous obsessions and secrets in a seaside community.

1. Obsession (2012)
2. Eyewitness (2012)
3. Intuition (2012)
4. Deception (2012)

Holding the Line

Border patrols, custody battles, and secret identities collide in this four-part thriller series.

1. Evasive Action (2020)
2. Chain of Custody (2020)
3. Unraveling Jane Doe (2020)
4. Buried Secrets (2020)

Target: Timberline

High-altitude danger in the mountains featuring rangers, sheriffs, and second-chance romance.

1. Single Father Sheriff (2016)
2. Sudden Second Chance (2016)
3. Army Ranger Redemption (2016)
4. In the Arms of the Enemy (2016)

Multi-Author Shared Universes: Reader Caveats

Ericson frequently participates in multi-author continuity series curated by Harlequin. It is important to know that she did not write all the books in these series:

Tough Justice

This 16-part serialized FBI thriller follows Special Agent Lara Grant. Ericson only wrote two of the installments: Burned (Book 3) and Ambushed (Book 6). The other books are written by Carla Cassidy, Tyler Anne Snell, and Gail Barrett. The 'Countdown' subseries (Books 9–16) is similarly a multi-author project.

Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City

A four-book miniseries following the FBI's specialized Tactical Crime Division. Ericson wrote only the first book, Rookie Instincts (2020). The subsequent books (Toxin Alert, Impact Zone, and Hunting a Killer) were written by Tyler Anne Snell, Julie Anne Lindsey, and Nicole Helm respectively.