How to Read C.L. Taylor's Books
The most important thing to know before starting C.L. Taylor's library is that all of her books are completely standalone novels. Because none of her thrillers or romantic comedies share characters, settings, or continuing plots, you can read them in absolutely any order you choose.
However, the author writes under two distinct names to separate her two very different writing styles:
- C.L. Taylor is the name she uses for her dark, twisty psychological thrillers and Young Adult (YA) suspense novels.
- Cally Taylor is the name she used for her early romantic comedies and women's fiction.
Recommended Starting Points
Since you don't need to follow a chronological narrative, picking the right book depends on the genre and tone you are in the mood for. Here are the best entry points:
For the Ultimate Psychological Thriller: The Lie (2015)
If you want to experience C.L. Taylor at the height of her suspenseful powers, start with The Lie. This Sunday Times bestseller explores toxic female friendships, cult-like environments, and survival. It is one of her most famous and chilling stories, making it the perfect introduction to her adult thrillers.
For a Claustrophobic Mystery: Sleep (2019)
If you love isolated, locked-room mysteries, Sleep is your best bet. Set at a remote hotel on a storm-lashed Scottish island, this Richard and Judy Book Club pick follows a woman trying to escape her past, only to find herself trapped with seven strangers—one of whom is a killer.
For Young Adult Suspense: The Island (2021)
For younger readers (or fans of fast-paced YA survival thrillers like Lost), The Island is a fantastic place to start. It follows a group of teenagers whose luxury retreat on a remote island turns into a desperate struggle for survival.
For Warm Romantic Comedy: Heaven Can Wait (2009)
If you prefer humor and romance over mystery and murder, go back to the author's roots under the name Cally Taylor. Her award-winning debut Heaven Can Wait is a funny and heartwarming story about a woman who dies just before her wedding and must act as a ghost helper to earn her way into heaven.
Publication Order of Psychological Thrillers (as C.L. Taylor)
If you prefer to see how C.L. Taylor developed her thriller style over time, you can read her adult psychological suspense novels in the order they were published:
- The Accident (2014) – Published as Before I Wake in the United States.
- The Lie (2015)
- The Missing (2016)
- The Escape (2017)
- The Fear (2018)
- Sleep (2019)
- Strangers (2020)
- Her Last Holiday (2021)
- The Guilty Couple (2022)
- Every Move You Make (2024)
- It's Always the Husband (2025)
Publication Order of Young Adult (YA) Thrillers
Taylor has written two standalone thrillers aimed at YA readers, though they are equally enjoyed by adults who love fast-paced suspense:
- The Treatment (2017)
- The Island (2021)
Publication Order of Romantic Comedies (as Cally Taylor)
Before transitioning to dark thrillers, the author wrote romantic comedies under her original pen name:
- Heaven Can Wait (2009)
- Home for Christmas (2011) – This cozy festive novel was adapted into a film.
- Secrets and Rain (2013) – A self-published collection of twelve short stories originally featured in various women's fiction magazines.
Anthologies and Short Story Contributions
In addition to her full-length novels, C.L. Taylor has contributed shorter fiction to several collaborative collections:
- Dead Simple (Quick Reads, 2017) – Contributed the short story "Bird in a Cage" to this multi-author collection.
- CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour (2017) – Contributed the travel-themed thriller short story "You'll be dead by dawn."
- Everyday Kindness (2021) – Contributed the short story "Imagination Avenue" to this charity anthology raising money for the housing charity Shelter.
What to Know Before You Start
Here are a few quick tips and interesting facts to keep in mind as you explore C.L. Taylor's works:
- The Psychology Connection: Taylor graduated with a degree in psychology from Northumbria University, specializing in abnormal and criminal psychology. This background is the foundation of her writing, allowing her to create highly realistic trauma, anxiety, and manipulative behavior.
- Real-Life Inspiration: Her 2024 thriller, Every Move You Make, follows stalking victims who decide to take matters into their own hands. The novel was heavily inspired by the author's own terrifying personal experience with a stalker.
- Title Changes: Depending on where you buy your books, you might see her debut thriller The Accident listed under its US title, Before I Wake. They are the exact same book.