author Reading Order

Diane Saxon Books in Order

22 Books
6 Series & collections
2013 – 2024 Published
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Where to Start Reading Diane Saxon

Diane Saxon is a versatile British author who writes across two very different genres: gritty, atmospheric psychological crime thrillers and steamy, adventure-filled contemporary romances. Because her books fall into distinct categories, your starting point depends entirely on what kind of story you are in the mood for:

  • For Crime and Thriller Fans: Start with Find Her Alive (also published as The Keeper). This novel introduces Detective Sergeant Jenna Morgan and sets up the dark, intense atmosphere of her police procedural series set in Shropshire.
  • For Romance Fans: Start with Gun Shy, the opening installment of the Atlantic Divide series, which blends high-stakes passion with family-centered adventures.
  • For Standalone Thriller Fans: If you want a quick, self-contained psychological mystery with shocking twists, start with her highly acclaimed 2024 release, My Mother's Lies, or her 2025 release, The Quiet Wife.

DS Jenna Morgan Series in Order

This series follows Detective Sergeant Jenna Morgan as she tackles complex, disturbing cases in the historic Ironbridge Gorge area of Shropshire, England. These books feature strong procedural elements, psychological suspense, and recurring character arcs that develop over time. While the mysteries in each book are resolved, we highly recommend reading them in publication order to appreciate Jenna's personal evolution and the changing dynamics of her investigative team.

  1. Find Her Alive (2019) – Also released under the title The Keeper. Jenna investigates the abduction of a young woman held in a dark, claustrophobic bunker.
  2. Some One's There (2020) – Also released under the title Copycat. The team is called to a gruesome crime scene that bears the hallmarks of a serial killer Jenna previously brought to justice.
  3. What She Saw (2020) – A chilling mystery beginning with the discovery of a body in a Shropshire pool, leading Jenna into a web of local secrets.
  4. The Ex (2021) – Jenna Morgan faces a highly personal and dangerous threat when past relationships and deadly grudges collide.

Atlantic Divide Series in Order

If you prefer chemistry-driven romance, family drama, and international adventure, the Atlantic Divide series is where you belong. The series follows a web of interconnected characters—including the Swann and Marsden families—spanning from the UK to the American West. The reading order below follows the established publication sequence:

  1. Gun Shy (2013) – Focuses on Sheriff Jack T. Swann and surgeon Kate Marsden as they clash and connect in a small town.
  2. Loving Lydia (2013) – Follows the emotional journey of Lydia as she tries to overcome a difficult past with the help of a persistent cowboy.
  3. Bad Girl Bill (2013) – Features British Special Forces operative Michael Marsden and his sizzling chemistry with Sheriff Bill Swann.
  4. Finding Zoe (2013) – A story of long-lost connections, centering on Cormack's return to England and the secrets waiting for him.
  5. Flynn's Kiss (2014) – Focuses on scarred ex-Special Forces operative Flynn Swann and a scientist who challenges his defenses.
  6. Barbara's Redemption (2016) – A deeper dive into the family's past and the path to emotional healing.
  7. Along Came Dani (2021) – Reboots the series with a modern, high-intensity romance that continues the family legacy.
  8. Flight of Her Life (2021) – A thrilling romantic adventure that wraps up the later phase of the series.

Diane Saxon's Standalone Psychological Thrillers

In addition to her series, Saxon has built a reputation for standalone psychological thrillers. These novels are not connected to each other or the DS Jenna Morgan series, making them perfect to pick up at any time. They specialize in family secrets, unreliable narrators, and domestic suspense. They are listed below in order of publication:

  • Banshee In The Library With A Dragon (2015) – Also published as Banshee Seduction, this early standalone blends elements of romance and mystery.
  • Under the Full Blooded Moon (2017) – A suspenseful romance novel that highlights Saxon's transition toward darker themes.
  • My Little Brother (2022) – A tense domestic thriller about family loyalty, hidden motives, and a brother's return that upends a household.
  • My Sister's Secret (2023) – A gripping tale of sibling rivalry, dark secrets, and betrayal that threatens to destroy a family.
  • The Stepson (2023) – A psychological thriller focusing on the arrival of a stepson who brings disturbing tension and danger into a home.
  • The Good Twin (2024) – A twisty mystery exploring identity, sibling bonds, and the dark truth behind a twin's sudden disappearance.
  • My Mother's Lies (2024) – A highly popular psychological suspense novel about a daughter uncovering the dark history her mother hid for decades.
  • The Quiet Wife (2025) – A domestic thriller dissecting a seemingly perfect marriage built on a foundation of silence and secrets.
  • My Missing Sister (2025) – A desperate search for a vanished sibling that unearths buried family lies.
  • A Stranger in the Family (2026) – A high-tension release exploring the disruption caused by an unexpected newcomer.
  • The Caretaker (2026) – A dark thriller centering on a sinister presence managing a property with secrets of its own.
  • Baby Come Back (2027) – An upcoming release focusing on parental dread, missing children, and emotional suspense.
  • The Neighbours (2027) – An upcoming release exploring the dark side of suburban life and the dangers of living next door to secrets.

Short Stories, Novellas, and Anthologies

For readers who want a quicker taste of Diane Saxon's style, she has published several shorter works and contributed to collaborative collections:

  • Paranormally Yours (2014) – A collaborative paranormal romance collection featuring stories by Diane Saxon and other authors.
  • For Heaven's Cakes (2015) – A lighthearted romantic novella showing the softer side of Saxon's early writing.
  • Short Circuit Time (2022) – A quick, engaging short story exploring contemporary themes.
  • Written in the Stars (2022) – An anthology edited by Betsy Reavley that includes a short story contribution by Diane Saxon.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving in, keep these helpful details in mind. Diane Saxon lives in the Shropshire countryside with her family, and this local landscape plays a massive role in her thriller writing. The historic, atmospheric setting of the Ironbridge Gorge provides a moody, dark backdrop that acts almost as its own character in the DS Jenna Morgan books. If you enjoy authors who ground their crime scenes in real, evocative geography, you will love this aspect of her writing. Additionally, Saxon was longlisted for the prestigious CWA Dagger in the Library Award in 2024, confirming her status as a premier voice in modern British thriller fiction.

Frequently Asked

QCan the DS Jenna Morgan books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book in the series features a self-contained crime that is fully resolved by the end. However, the overarching character development, Jenna's personal struggles, and team relationships build across the books, so reading them in order (starting with Find Her Alive) offers the best experience.

QWhy do some DS Jenna Morgan books have two different titles?

A few of Diane Saxon's novels were retitled for different markets or editions. Specifically, the first book is known as both Find Her Alive and The Keeper, while the second book is known as Some One's There and Copycat.

QAre Diane Saxon's romance and thriller books connected?

No. The Atlantic Divide romance series and the DS Jenna Morgan crime series are completely separate in story, tone, and character. They do not share characters or plot lines, allowing you to enjoy one series without needing to read the other.

QWhat is Diane Saxon's most popular standalone thriller?

Her standalone novels My Mother's Lies (2024) and The Good Twin (2024) are highly popular among thriller readers, praised for their domestic suspense, emotional depth, and sudden plot twists.

QWhere does Diane Saxon set her crime thrillers?

Her crime novels are set in the picturesque and historic county of Shropshire, England, particularly around the Ironbridge Gorge. Saxon lives in Shropshire herself and uses the real-world geography to add atmospheric depth to her books.