Books On Board

Caz Finlay Books in Order

  • 8 Books
  • 2019 – 2023 Published

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How to Read Caz Finlay's Bad Blood Books

For readers who love gritty, fast-paced British gangland crime fiction in the vein of Martina Cole or Kimberley Chambers, Caz Finlay is a must-read author. Her flagship series is the Bad Blood saga, which centers on the Carter crime family in Liverpool and is led by the fierce matriarch Grace Sumner. To fully appreciate the intense character development, evolving loyalties, and complex crime webs, the series must be read in publication order. Because the narrative is highly continuous, starting midway through will spoil major plot points and character deaths.

Caz Finlay Books in Publication and Chronological Order

Since the chronological events follow the publication timeline, there is no need to jump around. Here is the order in which to read Caz Finlay's novels:

  1. The Boss (2019) – The debut novel that introduces Grace Sumner. Grace is forced to transition from a survivor of domestic abuse into a powerful, commanding figure in Liverpool's criminal underworld when her ex-husband, Nathan Conlon, is released from prison and threatens to reclaim the family business.
  2. Back in the Game (2020) – Having attempted to retire to a quiet life to raise her young daughter, Grace is dragged back into the criminal syndicate when her son, Jake Conlon, gets caught in a dangerous web of gang warfare and rival retaliation.
  3. Head of the Firm (2020) – Grace takes a step back to let her sons, Jake and the Carter twins, manage the day-to-day operations. However, her sharp intuition warns her of a brewing storm as rivals attempt to exploit the young men's lack of experience.
  4. Liverpool Loyalty (2020/2021) – Tensions boil over when Grace's boys are arrested for murder. To save them, Grace is forced into a series of uneasy negotiations with Detective Inspector Leigh Moss, initiating a complex cat-and-mouse relationship between the two women.
  5. Traitor in the House (2021) – A series of brutal murders draws DI Leigh Moss back into the Carter family's path. Suspecting a mole within her own organization, Grace must form an uncomfortable alliance with the detective to stop a traitor before the family business is destroyed from within.
  6. Part of the Family (2022) – The Carters face their greatest threat yet as a powerful new crime family moves into Liverpool. Grace and her sons must launch a high-stakes investigation to determine who is funding their new rivals and protect their empire.
  7. Payback Time (2022) – Connor Carter and Jake Conlon struggle against a rival gang that has underestimated them. When Jake's right-hand man, Danny Alexander, is arrested for a murder he did not commit, the family must rely on their tenuous connection with DI Leigh Moss to uncover the real killer and root out another mole.
  8. A Score to Settle (2023) – The stakes become intensely personal when Grace's granddaughter is abducted. With no ransom demands and a message indicating the kidnapping is a personal attack, Jake Conlon is pushed to his absolute limits to rescue his daughter.
  9. A Small Price to Pay (Upcoming - Expected Late 2026) – The next planned entry in the Bad Blood series, which will continue the dark saga of the Carter syndicate.

What to Know Before You Start

Caz Finlay's writing stands out for its authenticity. Before becoming a full-time author, she spent 17 years working as a Senior Probation Officer in the UK. This professional background in criminal justice and behavioral psychology allows her to craft multi-dimensional criminals, realistic police procedures, and nuanced characters who exist in moral gray areas. The setting of Liverpool acts as a character itself, with its distinct local culture, slang, and geography heavily influencing the series tone.

Readers should expect intense themes, including domestic violence, organized crime, betrayal, and violence. However, at its heart, the series is about family loyalty, survival, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her children.

The Sadie Kincaid Connection

If you finish the Bad Blood series and want more from this author, you can explore her work under her popular romance pen name, Sadie Kincaid. Under this pseudonym, Finlay writes highly successful dark, spicy mafia and billionaire romance novels, including the New York Ruthless (beginning with Ryan Rule) and Chicago Ruthless (beginning with Dante) series. While these books contain romantic elements and explicit content, they share the same gritty underworld setting and intense family dynamics found in her crime novels.

Frequently Asked

Can Caz Finlay's books be read as standalones?

No, it is highly recommended to read them in order. The Bad Blood series relies on a continuous storyline with major character arcs, shifts in power, and ongoing rivalries that build from one book to the next.

Where should I start reading Caz Finlay?

You should start with her debut novel, The Boss, which introduces Grace Sumner and establishes the foundation of the Carter family's criminal empire in Liverpool.

What is the relationship between Caz Finlay and Sadie Kincaid?

Sadie Kincaid is the pen name of Caz Finlay. She uses this pseudonym to write dark, spicy romance and mafia romance novels, such as the New York Ruthless series.

Does Caz Finlay have a background in criminal justice?

Yes, she worked for 17 years as a Senior Probation Officer. This experience heavily influences the realistic psychology and police procedures in her books.

Is the Bad Blood series finished?

No, the series is ongoing. While A Score to Settle (Book 8) was released in 2023, her next book, A Small Price to Pay, is slated for release in late 2026.