Where to Start Reading Chris Mooney
For readers new to Chris Mooney, the absolute best starting point is The Missing (2007). This international bestseller introduces Darby McCormick, a forensic investigator for the Boston Police Department who is haunted by a traumatic crime from her childhood. The Missing establishes the gritty tone, fast-paced police procedural elements, and intense psychological stakes that define Mooney's thrillers.
Alternatively, if you prefer following the character arc of renegade former FBI profiler Malcolm Fletcher, you can take a slightly different route. Fletcher is a brilliant, morally complex fugitive who plays a major role across the Darby McCormick series, but he actually debuted in Mooney's very first novel, the standalone thriller Deviant Ways (2000), and was later featured in the 2006 short story Falling before becoming the star of his own spin-off novel, The Killing House (2012).
The Darby McCormick Series in Publication Order
The Darby McCormick series is best read in publication order. This allows you to experience Darby's professional growth, the unfolding of her personal history, and her evolving, high-stakes relationship with Malcolm Fletcher. The series follows this sequence:
- The Missing (2007)
- The Secret Friend (2008)
- The Dead Room (2009)
- The Soul Collectors (2010)
- Fear the Dark (2015)
- Every Three Hours (2016)
- Every Pretty Thing (2017)
- The Snow Girls (2018)
The Malcolm Fletcher Universe and Crossovers
Malcolm Fletcher is one of Mooney's most popular characters. He is a dark, fugitive figure who operates outside the bounds of law enforcement. To read all stories featuring Malcolm Fletcher, you should follow this chronological development of the character:
- Deviant Ways (2000) – Fletcher makes his debut as a secondary character assisting Detective Jack Casey.
- Falling (2006) – A short story originally published in the Thriller anthology, providing early insight into Fletcher's background.
- The Secret Friend (2008) – Fletcher crosses paths with CSI Darby McCormick for the first time. He continues to make significant appearances in subsequent Darby McCormick novels.
- The Killing House (2012) – Fletcher's first and only dedicated solo spin-off novel.
Chris Mooney's Standalone Novels
If you want a break from serial-killer series continuity, Mooney has written several highly acclaimed standalone novels. These can be read in any order:
- Deviant Ways (2000) – His debut psychological thriller featuring Jack Casey and Malcolm Fletcher.
- World Without End (2001) – A tense thriller about a group of friends dealing with a dark secret.
- Remembering Sarah (2004) – A poignant, haunting psychological thriller that earned Mooney an Edgar Award nomination.
- Blood World (2020) – A near-futuristic crime thriller centered around a black market for a rejuvenation enzyme.
Co-Authored Non-Fiction with James Patterson
In recent years, Chris Mooney has collaborated with legendary author James Patterson and retired First Sergeant Matt Eversmann on a series of compelling real-life story collections. These books feature first-person accounts of real heroes:
- Walk in My Combat Boots (2021) – True stories from American military veterans.
- Diana, William, and Harry (2022) – A biography detailing the life of Princess Diana and her relationship with her sons.
- Walk the Blue Line (2023) – Personal, unvarnished narratives from police officers across the United States.