The Recommended Reading Path
If you are planning to dive into the dark, psychologically intense world of Cody McFadyen, there is only one path to take: publication order. Because McFadyen’s primary work is a highly serialized story following the life, trauma, and recovery of FBI Special Agent Smoky Barrett, reading the books in any other order will spoil major character developments and plot lines. The chronological events in the books match their publication dates exactly, making tracking the series simple.
The Smoky Barrett Series in Order
Special Agent Smoky Barrett heads an elite FBI unit in Los Angeles that tracks down the most twisted serial killers. The series is known for its uncompromising depiction of violence, high-concept killers, and deep focus on psychological trauma and healing. Here is the recommended order to read the series:
1. Shadow Man (2006)
This is where it all begins. Shadow Man introduces us to Smoky Barrett, who is returning to work after a horrific tragedy. A serial killer previously captured her, tortured her, and murdered her husband and daughter. Scarred both physically and emotionally, Smoky is pushed back into the field when a killer targeting her friend claims to be the "Shadow Man." This book sets the dark, visceral tone for the rest of the series.
2. The Face of Death (2007)
In this second installment, Smoky encounters a young girl named Sarah, who claims to have been hunted by a serial killer her entire life—a killer who has systematically murdered everyone she has ever loved. As Smoky tries to protect the girl and find this mysterious predator, she is forced to confront her own lingering demons and the limits of her recovery.
3. The Darker Side (2008)
While on a flight to a colleague's wedding, Smoky is drawn into a bizarre case when a passenger is murdered mid-flight. The killer leaves behind a message exposing the victim’s deepest, darkest secrets. Smoky’s team is forced to investigate not just a murder, but a blackmailer who knows the secret sins of everyone they target, testing the unit's cohesion and sanity.
4. Abandoned (2009)
This installment begins with a wedding celebration for one of Smoky's team members, which is quickly derailed when a woman is found severely traumatized in a nearby woods. The investigation reveals a serial killer who has been operating undetected for decades, abducting women and forcing them into twisted, abusive marriage scenarios before discarding them.
5. The Truth Factory (2016)
Originally released in Germany under the title Die Stille vor dem Tod, this fifth and final book features a heavily changed status quo. Smoky is now pregnant, remarried, and trying to find balance. However, her peace is shattered by a brutal massacre of an entire family, leading her team into their most disturbing and personal case yet. Note that due to publication delays, some readers have found this book harder to track down in physical English editions, but it is officially the conclusion of the series.
The Standalone Thriller: Der Menschenmacher (2011)
In addition to the Smoky Barrett series, Cody McFadyen wrote one standalone novel, Der Menschenmacher (2011). However, there is a catch for English-speaking readers: this book was published exclusively in Germany and has never been translated into English. Although early reports suggested the original English manuscript had the working title The Innocent Bone, it was never officially published in English markets.
The plot follows three children—David, Allison, and Charlie—who are kidnapped and held captive for a decade by a sadistic man they are forced to call "Father." He subjects them to horrific physical and psychological experiments to force them to "evolve" into superior humans. Twenty years after their escape, the grown survivors receive messages containing the word "Evolviere" (Evolve), forcing them to face the terrifying possibility that their captor is still alive.
What to Know Before You Start
Cody McFadyen's novels are not light beach reads. They are exceptionally dark, graphic, and psychologically taxing. If you enjoy the serial killer investigations of Thomas Harris (creator of Hannibal Lecter) or the intense psychological profiles of criminal minds, McFadyen will be right up your alley. However, readers should be prepared for themes involving graphic violence, child abuse, and intense trauma. The heart of the series, however, is Smoky’s resilience and her journey toward healing alongside her tight-knit FBI team.