Diane Fanning Books in Order

Where to Start with Diane Fanning

Diane Fanning has built a reputation as a master of both real-world investigations and page-turning crime fiction. Because her bibliography spans multiple genres, the best starting point depends entirely on what type of reader you are:

• For True Crime Devotees: Start with Through the Window: The Terrifying True Story of Cross-Country Killer Tommy Lynn Sells (2003). It is the book that established Fanning's reputation and has a real-world resolution that reads like a thriller.
• For Police Procedural Fans: Start with The Trophy Exchange (2008). This is the first book in the Lucinda Pierce series, introducing readers to a resilient protagonist and complex crime solving.
• For Historical Mystery Readers: Start with Scandal in the Secret City (2014), which kicks off the Libby Clark series set during World War II at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The Lucinda Pierce Mystery Series

This gripping fiction series follows Lucinda Pierce, a homicide investigator in Virginia who survived a brutal assault that left her with a prosthetic eye. Rather than being defined by her trauma, Pierce uses her experiences to fuel her dedication to solving heinous crimes. The series blends police procedural elements with psychological depth. It is highly recommended to read this series in order of publication to follow Lucinda’s personal growth, physical recovery, and relationship developments.

Here is the recommended reading order for the Lucinda Pierce books:

1. The Trophy Exchange (2008) – Introduces Lucinda Pierce as she investigates a murder that leads to a complex web of vanity and deception.
2. Punish the Deed (2009) – Lucinda investigates the death of a young woman connected to a high-society family, digging into hidden family secrets.
3. Mistaken Identity (2010) – The case of a murdered woman whose identity is called into question, leading Lucinda down a path of deep-seated lies.
4. Twisted Reason (2011) – Lucinda is drawn into a murder investigation that forces her to confront her own past.
5. False Front (2012) – A complex investigation involving political aspirations, public images, and murder.
6. Wrong Turn (2013) – Lucinda investigates a deadly incident that appears to be an accident but harbors darker motives.
7. Chain Reaction (2013) – Lucinda Pierce faces a race against time to stop a series of crimes that threaten to devastate her community.

The Libby Clark Mystery Series

The Libby Clark mysteries shift Fanning's fictional focus to World War II. Set in the "Secret City" of Oak Ridge, Tennessee—where the Manhattan Project was feverishly underway—these historical mysteries follow Libby Clark, a young chemist trying to prove herself in a male-dominated scientific community while solving murders that are shrouded in wartime secrecy. This trilogy must be read in chronological order to appreciate the ongoing character dynamics and historical progression.

1. Scandal in the Secret City (2014) – Libby Clark arrives at Oak Ridge and finds herself investigating the suspicious death of a colleague amidst heavy security and government secrets.
2. Treason in the Secret City (2017) – Amidst rising fears of espionage, Libby must investigate a murder that hints at deep-level treason.
3. Sabotage in the Secret City (2018) – Libby tries to root out threats of sabotage that could endanger the entire war effort.

Standalone Novels

In addition to her series, Diane Fanning has written standalone fiction that showcases her range. These can be read in any order:

• The Windwalkers (2000) – Diane Fanning’s first published novel, blending suspense, Navajo cultural themes, and psychological drama.
• Bite the Moon (2007) – A mystery featuring protagonist Molly Mullet, a former high school teacher who joins the police force after a personal tragedy, investigating a murder in the Texas Hill Country.

True Crime and Investigative Non-Fiction

Diane Fanning is widely known for her extensive true crime bibliography. Her books are marked by intense research and deep empathy for the victims. These do not have a continuous plot and can be read in any order, though reading them in publication order shows how Fanning's style evolved.

Here is the chronological publication order of Diane Fanning's true crime and non-fiction books:

1. Red Boots & Attitude (2002) – A collection of stories highlighting Texas women.
2. Through the Window (2003) – A look into serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells. Fanning's interviews for this book famously helped free Julie Rea, a mother wrongfully convicted of murder.
3. Into the Water (2004) – Explores the case of Richard Evonitz.
4. Written in Blood (2005) – The Michael Peterson case, which became a national obsession and was featured in The Staircase. This book was nominated for an Edgar Award.
5. Gone Forever (2006) – The investigation into the murder of Susan Polk.
6. Baby Be Mine (2006) – The story of Bobby Jo Stinnett and Bobbie Jo Farrell.
7. Under the Knife (2007) – The shocking case of Dean Faiello, an unlicensed cosmetic surgeon.
8. Out There (2007) – Details the bizarre love triangle involving astronaut Lisa Nowak.
9. The Pastor's Wife (2008) – Explores the death of Matthew Winkler and the trial of his wife, Mary Winkler.
10. Mommy's Little Girl (2009) – A national bestseller investigating the disappearance and death of Caylee Anthony and the trial of Casey Anthony.
11. A Poisoned Passion (2009) – The case of Wendi Andriano.
12. Her Deadly Web (2012) – The story of Sandra Melgar.
13. Black Widow (2012) – Investigates the crimes of Thomas Randolph.
14. Sleep My Darlings (2013) – The case of Julie Schenecker, who shot her children.
15. Under Cover of the Night (2014) – Investigates the murder of Michelle Mockbee.
16. Bitter Remains (2016) – The murder of Laura Ackerson.
17. Holy Homicide (2016) – The crimes committed within a religious sect.
18. Death on the River (2019) – Explores the death of Vincent Viafore and the trial of Angelika Graswald.

Understanding the St. Martin's True Crime Library

When searching for Diane Fanning's works online, you will often find lists that mix her books with a broader collection called the St. Martin's True Crime Books. It is important to know that the St. Martin's True Crime Library is an ongoing publisher series featuring works by multiple authors, not a series written entirely by Fanning. While many of Fanning's paperbacks (like Through the Window and Mommy's Little Girl) were published as part of this line, other books often listed in her catalog—such as Blood Will Tell (1996), Seeds of Evil (1997), Death in Texas (1999), Death of a Doctor (2002), Love, Daddy (2003), Reckless (2004), The Prom Night Murders (2009), In the Arms of Evil (2010), Cold as Ice (2010), and Dying for Love (2011)—were actually written by true crime author Carlton Smith. To avoid confusion, readers should verify the author's name on the cover when searching this collection.

Reader Advice and Standalone Feasibility

If you are reading Diane Fanning’s non-fiction, you do not need to worry about order; each book is an independent case study. In her fiction, however, the character development of both Lucinda Pierce and Libby Clark spans across their respective series. Reading them out of order will spoil major character milestones, such as Lucinda's career progression and Libby's shifting alliances in wartime Oak Ridge.