Recommended Starting Path
Because Elle Grawl’s novels are written as standalone psychological thrillers rather than interconnected series, you can start with either of her books without worrying about missing key backstories or character arcs. However, the most rewarding path for new readers is to begin with her debut, One of Those Faces (2022). This novel serves as the perfect introduction to Grawl’s signature style—characterized by unreliable narrators, high-tension urban atmospheres, and deep dives into personal trauma. Starting here allows you to experience her evolution as a writer before moving on to her second release, What Still Burns (2023).
Elle Grawl Books in Publication Order
For readers who prefer to follow an author’s career chronologically, here is the list of Elle Grawl's novels in order of publication:
- One of Those Faces (December 2022) – Grawl’s debut psychological thriller introduces readers to Harper Mallen, an insomniac Chicago artist whose life is upended when murder victims bearing a striking resemblance to her begin turning up around the city.
- What Still Burns (December 2023) – Her second novel shifts to a small Northern California town, where Lexi Blake, a magazine writer, returns to confront the trauma of a tragic family fire and her own fragmented memories.
Chronological and Order Caveats
Since Elle Grawl writes standalone thrillers, there is no chronological order or narrative continuity linking her books. A reader could easily pick up What Still Burns first and then read One of Those Faces without encountering any spoilers or chronological confusion. Both novels exist in separate fictional universes, with different characters, settings, and conflicts.
Some readers might encounter mentions of a book titled The Host as an upcoming project or associated work in certain databases. However, there is some confusion in online databases: the psychological thriller titled The Host (released in late 2023) is actually written by author T.C. Westminster, not Elle Grawl, though the two authors have collaborated on promotional panels such as the "Thriller Sisters of Dallas." As of mid-2026, Elle Grawl has not published any interconnected series or co-authored novels.
What to Know Before You Start
Grawl’s novels are heavily shaped by her professional background. As a practicing Chicago attorney with a B.A. in English Literature, she brings a keen understanding of legal structures, investigative procedures, and human behavior to her suspenseful plots. Her lifelong interest in true crime also heavily influences her storytelling, resulting in dark, complex narratives that explore the psychological impact of trauma and memory.
Her writing process is known for being somewhat chaotic and organic, as she prefers to write without a strict outline. Instead, she begins with a central concept and an ending in mind, allowing the characters and subplots to develop naturally. This lack of rigid structure translates to highly unpredictable plots filled with twists that feel organic rather than forced.
Standalone Novel Spotlights
One of Those Faces (2022)
Set in Chicago's trendy Wicker Park neighborhood, Grawl's debut novel captures the claustrophobic anxiety of an insomniac artist. Haunted by past trauma and an abusive relationship, Harper Mallen becomes increasingly paranoid when she learns that recent murder victims look exactly like her. The story is a masterclass in psychological suspense, keeping readers guessing whether the threat is real or a product of Harper's fractured state of mind.
What Still Burns (2023)
Shifting from the urban streets of Chicago to a quiet, atmospheric Northern California town, Grawl's sophomore effort explores dissociative amnesia and family secrets. Lexi Blake returns to her childhood home to settle her family's estate, only to be forced to confront the dark memory of a house fire that killed her family years ago. The novel relies heavily on mood, secrets, and a slow-burning tension that builds to a stunning conclusion.