Edie Baylis Books in Order

Where to Start with Edie Baylis

For readers diving into Edie Baylis’s gritty, high-stakes underworld for the first time, you have a few excellent entry points. Because her books are organized into distinct, self-contained series that follow specific character arcs and regional criminal empires, it is highly recommended to read each series in its individual publication order. Reading books out of order will spoil major character deaths, shifting alliances, and long-term revenge plots.

If you want to read her works in the order they were written to witness her growth as a writer, start with the Downfall Trilogy. Beginning with her debut novel, Until the End of Time, this trilogy introduces her signature style: a blend of raw criminal drama, deep-seated family vendettas, and dark romantic elements. It is the perfect primer for her storytelling style.

If you prefer to start with her most popular and widely acclaimed work, begin with the Allegiance Series starting with Takeover. Set in the mid-1990s Birmingham criminal underbelly, it follows the rise of Samantha Reynold as she fights to claim and protect her position as a gangland boss. This five-book saga represents Baylis at the height of her powers, delivering relentless pacing and complex, morally gray characters.

For readers who enjoy a heavier dose of psychological tension alongside their crime, the Scarred Series (starting with Mirrors Never Lie) is the ideal starting point. Set in London during the early 2000s, this series focuses on Zane Morelli's post-prison life and the betrayals that await him in the London firm.

What to Know Before You Start

Edie Baylis's thrillers are famous for their dark realism, uncompromising grit, and complex British settings. Before you pick up her first book, keep these key points in mind:

• Unified Themes, Separate Stories: While all of her novels inhabit the UK criminal underworld, her series do not feature major crossovers. You do not need to worry about reading the Hunted trilogy before starting the Scarred series, as they operate in separate spheres.
• Regional Flavors: Baylis grounds her stories in authentic UK locations. You will experience the backstreets of mid-90s Birmingham in Allegiance, the moody atmosphere of early-2000s London in Scarred, and the broader Midlands in her other trilogies.
• No Co-Authored Books or Spin-offs: Unlike some prolific crime writers, Baylis writes all of her books solo, and there are currently no companion novellas or spin-off series to track down. Each series has a clear beginning and a definitive ending.
• Gritty and Unflinching Tone: Her books deal with heavy themes, including prison life, domestic betrayal, gang warfare, and toxic relationships. They are highly addictive but lean into the darker side of human nature.

Detailed Edie Baylis Series Breakdown

The Downfall Trilogy (2017–2018)

This is where Edie Baylis's career began. Set in the mid-1990s, the trilogy focuses on the psychological scars of past trauma, family secrets, and the lengths characters will go to for vengeance. The Downfall books must be read sequentially:

The Hunted Trilogy (2019–2020)

Another mid-90s crime drama, the Hunted series revolves around long-held family secrets, debt, and survival in a hostile criminal environment. It features the signature Baylis combination of suspense and high emotional stakes:

1. The Status Debt (2019)
2. The Family Legacy (2019)
3. The Target of Lies (2020)

The Retribution Trilogy (2020–2021)

This trilogy explores the cost of greed, betrayal, and the struggle to settle old scores. It serves as an excellent bridge between her early self-published style and her later mainstream thrillers:

1. An Old Score (2020)
2. Finders Keepers (2021)
3. The Final Take (2021)

The Allegiance Series (2022–2023)

Published by Boldwood Books, this five-book series is one of Baylis's most celebrated works. It charts the brutal rise and turbulent reign of Samantha Reynold in mid-90s Birmingham. The series is best read in this exact order:

1. Takeover (2022)
2. Fallout (2022)
3. Vendetta (2022)
4. Payback (2023)
5. Judgement (2023)

The Scarred Series (2023–2025)

Set in early 2000s London, the Scarred series follows Zane Morelli as he leaves prison and attempts to reclaim his life, only to find himself surrounded by lies and internal betrayals. This series concludes Zane's story across five books:

1. Mirrors Never Lie (2023)
2. The Price of Betrayal (2023)
3. Trusting Blood (2024)
4. The Hard Truth (2024)
5. The Last Promise (2025)

The Elimination Series (2026)

Baylis's newest venture is the Elimination series, which brings her trademark grit and gangland suspense into the mid-2020s. It is best to read them in the order of their release:

1. Vigilante (2026)
2. Deception (2026)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Because Edie Baylis writes distinct series rather than one continuous multi-decade epic, a master chronological reading order of all her books combined is unnecessary. For example, the Downfall, Hunted, and Allegiance series all take place during the mid-1990s, but they follow entirely different sets of characters in different settings. Reading Takeover before or after Until the End of Time has no impact on your understanding of the respective plots. Simply choose a series, follow its specific publication order from Book 1 to the end, and then move on to the next series that catches your eye.