The Recommended Reading Path
If you are new to Claire Kells, your starting point depends on what style of thriller you prefer. Kells has written both a highly successful standalone survival novel and an ongoing, location-hopping mystery series. Here is how you should begin:
- For Series Lovers: Start with Vanishing Edge (2021). This is the book that introduces ex-FBI agent Felicity Harland and begins the National Parks Mystery series. The series builds character relationships and overarching backstories that are best experienced from the very beginning.
- For Survival Thriller Fans: Start with Girl Underwater (2015). This standalone thriller focuses on a college athlete's survival after a devastating plane crash in the Rocky Mountains and the psychological aftermath of the trauma.
National Parks Mystery Series in Publication and Chronological Order
For the National Parks Mystery series, the publication order and chronological order are identical. The books trace the career of Felicity Harland as she joins the Investigative Services Branch (ISB) of the National Park Service. Reading them in order allows you to follow the slow-burn partnership and personal growth of the characters as they travel from park to park.
- Vanishing Edge (2021) – Set in California's Sequoia National Park. Felicity Harland partners with park ranger Ferdinand "Hux" Huxleigh to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a group of campers.
- An Unforgiving Place (2022) – Set in Alaska's remote Gates of the Arctic National Park. Felicity is dispatched to investigate the suspicious death of a researcher in one of the most isolated places in North America.
- Forgotten Trail (2023) – Set in California's Pinnacles National Park. Felicity and Hux investigate a skeleton found along a rugged trail, exposing a cold case that hits close to home.
- Deadly Shore (Expected 2027) – The highly anticipated fourth installment, set to follow Felicity and Hux on a new investigation along a wild coastline.
Claire Kells Standalone Novels
If you prefer self-contained stories with no continuing story arcs, Kells has one major standalone novel:
- Girl Underwater (2015) – Avery Delacorte is a champion college swimmer who survives a plane crash in the wilderness, only to face a brutal battle against the elements and her own rising trauma. The story alternates between her survival in the wilderness and her recovery back home.
What to Know Before You Start
Claire Kells brings a unique background to her thrillers. As a practicing physician, she infuses her novels with incredibly realistic medical details. When characters suffer from hypothermia, fractures, or psychological trauma, their treatment and recovery are depicted with clinical accuracy that enhances the tension rather than slowing it down.
Additionally, Kells's background as an open-water swimmer deeply informs the survival elements in Girl Underwater. Her love of America's rugged wilderness drives the vivid, atmospheric settings of the National Parks Mystery series. Each book acts as a love letter to the national parks, capturing both their majestic beauty and their inherent danger.
Practical Reader Advice
Can these books be read as standalones? While Girl Underwater is completely self-contained, the National Parks Mystery series is best enjoyed in order. Although each mystery is fully resolved by the end of the book, the evolving relationship between Felicity, Hux, and their trusty companion dog Ollie is a major draw for regular readers. Skipping books will result in missing significant milestones in their personal and professional partnership.