Where Should You Start Reading Charlie Donlea?
Charlie Donlea has carved out a unique space in the psychological thriller genre by combining relentless pacing, forensic science, and shocking, jaw-dropping twists. While he has written one formally designated series—the Rory Moore and Lane Phillips books—almost all of his novels exist in a shared, interconnected universe. This means that while each book works perfectly as a standalone, reading them in order lets you enjoy recurring characters, subtle references, and evolving storylines.
For the absolute best reading experience, we highly recommend starting with his debut novel, Summit Lake. It introduces you to Donlea's signature pacing and atmospheric writing. Alternatively, if you want to understand the loose web of connections that runs through his later books, starting with The Girl Who Was Taken is a fantastic entry point because it introduces key recurring characters like forensic pathologist Dr. Livia Cutty.
The Rory Moore & Lane Phillips Series in Order
The only official subseries in Charlie Donlea's library centers on the fascinating partnership between Rory Moore, a brilliant forensic reconstructionist who specializes in cold cases, and Lane Phillips, a renowned FBI profiler. Rory's obsessive attention to detail and unique perspective, combined with Lane's psychological expertise, make them a formidable duo. While they can be read as standalones, their personal relationship and professional dynamics develop significantly between the books.
- Some Choose Darkness (2019) – This first book introduces Rory Moore as she uncovers a series of cold cases from 1979 Chicago, drawing the attention of Lane Phillips. (Note: In some international markets, this book is published under the title The Woman in the Darkness).
- The Suicide House (2020) – Set at a prestigious prep school where a series of mysterious deaths occurred, Rory and Lane are called in to reconstruct the crime scene and figure out what really happened.
The Interconnected Universe: Key Character Crossovers
One of the most satisfying elements of reading Charlie Donlea's thrillers is realizing that his standalone books are not completely isolated. Characters frequently cross paths across different novels, creating a rewarding experience for long-time fans. Here are the key characters to keep an eye out for:
Dr. Livia Cutty
Dr. Livia Cutty is arguably the most important thread connecting Donlea's fictional world. She is introduced in The Girl Who Was Taken (2017) as a forensic pathologist driven to understand her sister's disappearance. She subsequently makes cameo appearances in Don't Believe It (2018) and Twenty Years Later (2021). Her presence culminates in Long Time Gone (2024), where she acts as an influential mentor to the main protagonist, Sloan Hastings.
Gus Morelli
Gus Morelli is a crotchety, wise, retired detective with a titanium leg prosthesis who made his debut in Don't Believe It (2018). Originally intended as a minor figure, he proved so popular that Donlea brought him back as a major character in The Suicide House (2020), where he assists Rory and Lane with their investigation.
Lane Phillips
Even when Rory Moore is not around, Lane Phillips remains active in this universe. The FBI profiler makes a notable crossover appearance in the standalone novel Those Empty Eyes (2023), helping to tie the events of that book back to the core series.
Charlie Donlea Books in Publication Order
If you want to catch every single cameo, character crossover, and nod to previous cases, reading in publication order is the definitive way to experience Charlie Donlea's work. Here is the complete list of his novels in order of release:
- Summit Lake (2016) – Donlea's debut thriller follows investigative reporter Kelsey Castle as she travels to a picturesque mountain town to research the brutal murder of a law student.
- The Girl Who Was Taken (2017) – A dark mystery focusing on the aftermath of an abduction where one girl escaped, another disappeared, and a forensic pathologist searches for the truth years later.
- Don't Believe It (2018) – Set on a tropical island, this novel features a true-crime documentary filmmaker investigating a ten-year-old murder case, introducing retired detective Gus Morelli.
- Some Choose Darkness (2019) – The first official Rory Moore and Lane Phillips thriller, focusing on a serial killer case from Chicago's past.
- The Suicide House (2020) – The second Rory Moore and Lane Phillips novel, which picks up after the events of the previous book and features Gus Morelli in a prominent role.
- Twenty Years Later (2021) – A high-stakes mystery that weaves together the tragedy of September 11 and a cold case murder, featuring a brief crossover appearance by Dr. Livia Cutty.
- Those Empty Eyes (2023) – A thriller centered on Alex Mercer, a woman who survived a family massacre as a teenager and is determined to clear her name, featuring an appearance by FBI profiler Lane Phillips.
- Long Time Gone (2024) – Sloan Hastings, an aspiring forensic pathologist, uses a DNA database for a project and discovers she was abducted as a child, under the mentorship of Dr. Livia Cutty.
- Guess Again (2025) – This thriller introduces Ethan Hall, a former detective turned ER doctor, who is dragged into solving the decade-old disappearance of a high school student while playing a dangerous game with the inmate who killed his father.
- Behind Every Face (Projected 2027) – An upcoming novel following Andi Vonn, a woman in the Witness Protection Program in the Pacific Northwest who is trying to recover incriminating evidence left by her deceased fiancé.
Chronological vs. Publication Order Caveats
Because the main narrative of each book is self-contained, there are no timeline issues or prequel novels that disrupt the reading flow. Chronological order and publication order are essentially identical. However, the progression of recurring characters makes reading in publication order highly recommended. For example, if you read The Suicide House before Don't Believe It, you will see Gus Morelli's later life and medical circumstances before you learn how he was introduced to the wider circle of characters. Similarly, reading Long Time Gone before The Girl Who Was Taken would spoil the development and career trajectory of Dr. Livia Cutty.
What to Know Before You Start
Charlie Donlea’s thrillers are famous for their medical and scientific accuracy. He regularly consults with forensic pathologists, genetic genealogists, and law enforcement professionals to ensure that the methods used by characters like Rory Moore, Livia Cutty, and Sloan Hastings reflect real-world science. When reading his books, you can expect complex, multi-layered mysteries that often alternate between the past and the present. Donlea operates under a strict rule: he never cheats the reader. The clues to the final twist are always hidden in plain sight, rewarding attentive readers who pay close attention to the details.