Melinda Leigh Books in Order: A Complete Guide to Her Suspense Series

If you enjoy crime fiction, romantic suspense, psychological thrillers, female investigators, small-town mysteries, and fast-paced murder investigations, Melinda Leigh is an author worth exploring.

Her books are particularly appealing because Leigh often combines a central mystery with strong character relationships. Her protagonists include attorneys, detectives, sheriffs, private investigators, and women confronting dangerous situations while trying to rebuild their lives.

The tricky part is that Melinda Leigh does not have one single continuous book series. Instead, her bibliography is divided into several interconnected or independent series, including Bree Taggert, Morgan Dane, Scarlet Falls, She Can, Midnight, and Olivia Cruz, plus the Widow’s Island novellas co-written with Kendra Elliot. Her official bibliography is therefore the best starting point when organizing her books.

Melinda Leigh Books in Order by Series

For most readers, series order is more useful than overall publication order because each series has its own recurring characters and story arcs.

Bree Taggert Books in Order

The Bree Taggert series follows former Philadelphia homicide detective Bree Taggert after she returns to the rural New York community where she grew up. It is currently Leigh’s longest-running major series, with 10 published novels as of 2025 and an eleventh book scheduled for 2027.

1. Cross Her Heart (2020)

Bree Taggert returns home after her sister is murdered in circumstances that eerily echo the tragedy of Bree’s childhood. The case forces her to confront painful memories while investigating a killer who may be closer than anyone realizes.

Publication Year: 2020
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #1
Key Themes: Murder investigation, family secrets, trauma, small-town crime

2. See Her Die (2020)

Bree continues her new life in rural New York while another dangerous case demands her attention. The investigation places her and those closest to her in increasing danger.

Publication Year: 2020
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #2
Key Themes: Murder, law enforcement, danger, family

3. Drown Her Sorrows (2021)

A suspicious death leads Bree into another complicated investigation where appearances are misleading and long-hidden secrets begin to surface.

Publication Year: 2021
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #3
Key Themes: Murder, secrets, investigation, community

4. Right Behind Her (2021)

Bree investigates a new case while her own personal history continues to affect the choices she makes as sheriff. The mystery combines violent crime with the complicated relationships of a small community.

Publication Year: 2021
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #4
Key Themes: Sheriff, murder, family, suspense

5. Dead Against Her (2022)

Bree faces another disturbing case that tests her instincts as a law-enforcement officer and puts the people she cares about under pressure.

Publication Year: 2022
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #5
Key Themes: Murder, investigation, danger, relationships

6. Lie to Her (2023)

Bree’s investigation takes her into another web of lies, where discovering who is telling the truth becomes as important as finding the killer.

Publication Year: 2023
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #6
Key Themes: Deception, murder, investigation, trust

7. Catch Her Death (2023)

Bree investigates another violent crime as a dangerous mystery unfolds around the people and places she knows best.

Publication Year: 2023
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #7
Key Themes: Crime, murder, small-town mystery, suspense

8. On Her Watch (2024)

Bree’s responsibilities as sheriff continue to grow as another case threatens the safety of her community and forces her to confront an increasingly dangerous investigation.

Publication Year: 2024
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #8
Key Themes: Law enforcement, murder, community, suspense

9. Track Her Down (2025)

Bree faces another disturbing case when a violent crime exposes secrets that someone is desperate to keep hidden.

Publication Year: 2025
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #9
Key Themes: Murder, investigation, secrets, sheriff

10. Beyond Her Reach (2025)

Bree takes on another dangerous investigation as a shocking crime tests both her investigative abilities and her determination to protect those around her.

Publication Year: 2025
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #10
Key Themes: Crime, murder, investigation, danger

The official Melinda Leigh bibliography confirms Beyond Her Reach as Book 10 and lists its release in September 2025.

11. Kill For Her — Forthcoming

The next Bree Taggert novel is Kill For Her, which is scheduled for publication on January 12, 2027. It should be treated as a forthcoming installment rather than a currently published book.

Publication Year: 2027
Reading Position: Bree Taggert #11
Status: Forthcoming

Morgan Dane Books in Order

The Morgan Dane series follows former prosecutor Morgan Dane after she returns to her hometown of Scarlet Falls. When her babysitter is murdered, Morgan agrees to defend a young man accused of the crime and begins working with private investigator Lance Kruger.

1. Say You’re Sorry (2017)

Morgan Dane returns to Scarlet Falls after losing her husband and starts rebuilding her career. When her babysitter is murdered and the woman’s son is accused, Morgan takes the case and begins searching for the real killer.

Publication Year: 2017
Reading Position: Morgan Dane #1
Key Themes: Murder, criminal defense, family, investigation

2. Her Last Goodbye (2017)

Morgan and Lance investigate a disturbing disappearance while dealing with evidence suggesting that the missing woman may have been deliberately targeted.

Publication Year: 2017
Reading Position: Morgan Dane #2
Key Themes: Missing persons, investigation, family, suspense

3. Bones Don’t Lie (2018)

Shocking evidence brings another dangerous case close to Morgan and Lance. Their investigation uncovers secrets that someone is willing to kill to protect.

Publication Year: 2018
Reading Position: Morgan Dane #3
Key Themes: Murder, forensic evidence, secrets, investigation

4. What I’ve Done (2018)

Morgan takes on a client who appears to have committed a terrible crime but claims she cannot remember what happened. Morgan must determine whether her client is guilty or being framed.

Publication Year: 2018
Reading Position: Morgan Dane #4
Key Themes: Criminal defense, memory, murder, justice

5. Secrets Never Die (2019)

Morgan and Lance face another case in which old secrets refuse to stay buried. Their investigation becomes increasingly dangerous as they get closer to the truth.

Publication Year: 2019
Reading Position: Morgan Dane #5
Key Themes: Secrets, murder, investigation, danger

6. Save Your Breath (2019)

Morgan and Lance investigate another troubling case while the pressure around them continues to increase.

Publication Year: 2019
Reading Position: Morgan Dane #6
Key Themes: Crime, investigation, suspense, relationships

The official author site confirms all six Morgan Dane novels and their publication dates.

Scarlet Falls Books in Order

The Scarlet Falls series is set in the same fictional community that later becomes important to the Morgan Dane books. It follows different characters and can be read independently, but reading it before Morgan Dane gives additional context about Scarlet Falls.

1. Hour of Need (2014)

Major Grant Barrett’s brother and sister-in-law are brutally murdered, leaving Grant desperate to protect his young nephew while finding the person responsible.

Publication Year: 2014
Reading Position: Scarlet Falls #1
Key Themes: Murder, family, investigation, protection

2. Minutes to Kill (2015)

Hannah Barrett witnesses the abduction of a young girl, turning an already complicated situation into a dangerous race to find the missing child.

Publication Year: 2015
Reading Position: Scarlet Falls #2
Key Themes: Abduction, missing children, crime, suspense

3. Seconds to Live (2016)

Mac Barrett returns home and finds himself caught in another dangerous case where a homecoming quickly turns into a fight for survival.

Publication Year: 2016
Reading Position: Scarlet Falls #3
Key Themes: Murder, homecoming, danger, investigation

The official Scarlet Falls page confirms the trilogy and its publication dates.

She Can Books in Order

The She Can series was Melinda Leigh’s debut series and launched her publishing career with She Can Run in 2011.

1. She Can Run (2011)

When young mother Elizabeth Gardner fears that her past has finally caught up with her, she goes on the run with her son and seeks help from a man who may be her only protection.

Publication Year: 2011
Reading Position: She Can #1
Key Themes: Escape, danger, protection, romantic suspense

2. She Can Tell (2012)

A dangerous secret and a troubled witness draw the characters into another suspenseful investigation where telling the truth could have deadly consequences.

Publication Year: 2012
Reading Position: She Can #2
Key Themes: Secrets, witnesses, danger, romance

3. She Can Scream (2013)

A woman finds herself trapped in a frightening situation where survival depends on uncovering the truth before her attacker reaches her.

Publication Year: 2013
Reading Position: She Can #3
Key Themes: Survival, murder, suspense, danger

4. She Can Hide (2014)

A woman attempting to escape her past discovers that hiding is not enough when someone determined to find her closes in.

Publication Year: 2014
Reading Position: She Can #4
Key Themes: Secrets, escape, danger, romantic suspense

5. He Can Fall (2014)

This short story provides an additional adventure connected to the She Can world.

Publication Year: 2014
Reading Position: Short Story
Key Themes: Suspense, danger, romance

6. She Can Kill (2015)

The series returns with another dangerous woman at the center of a mystery involving violence, secrets, and survival.

Publication Year: 2015
Reading Position: She Can #5
Key Themes: Murder, survival, danger, suspense

The author’s official printable list identifies He Can Fall as a short story between She Can Hide and She Can Kill.

Midnight Books in Order

The Midnight series is another romantic suspense sequence from Leigh, centered on dangerous situations, secrets, and relationships.

1. Midnight Exposure (2012)

A woman becomes caught in a dangerous situation where exposing the truth could put her life at risk.

Publication Year: 2012
Reading Position: Midnight #1
Key Themes: Secrets, danger, romance, suspense

2. Midnight Sacrifice (2013)

A new mystery brings danger and emotional stakes together as the characters struggle to uncover the truth.

Publication Year: 2013
Reading Position: Midnight #2
Key Themes: Crime, danger, sacrifice, romance

3. Midnight Betrayal (2014)

Trust becomes dangerous when betrayal threatens both the investigation and the people involved.

Publication Year: 2014
Reading Position: Midnight #3
Key Themes: Betrayal, crime, suspense, romance

4. Midnight Obsession (2017)

An obsession becomes increasingly dangerous as secrets and attraction collide in another romantic suspense mystery.

Publication Year: 2017
Reading Position: Midnight #4
Key Themes: Obsession, danger, secrets, romance

The four-book sequence and publication years are confirmed by Leigh’s official bibliography.

Olivia Cruz Books in Order

The Olivia Cruz series is Leigh’s newest series. The first book, You Can Tell Me, was released in May 2026, while the second installment, I Know Your Secret, is scheduled for September 2027.

1. You Can Tell Me (2026)

The first Olivia Cruz mystery introduces a new protagonist and another suspenseful investigation in Leigh’s expanding crime-fiction universe.

Publication Year: 2026
Reading Position: Olivia Cruz #1
Key Themes: Crime, secrets, investigation, suspense

2. I Know Your Secret — Forthcoming

The second Olivia Cruz book is scheduled for publication on September 14, 2027.

Publication Year: 2027
Reading Position: Olivia Cruz #2
Status: Forthcoming

The author’s official site currently identifies You Can Tell Me as Book One and I Know Your Secret as Book Two.

Widow’s Island Books in Order

The Widow’s Island series is a collaborative novella series created with Kendra Elliot. The authors alternate titles, so these books should be treated as a shared-world sequence rather than a conventional Melinda Leigh-only series. Leigh’s official bibliography lists 10 novellas.

1. Close to the Bone (2018)

Author: Kendra Elliot
Publication Year: 2018
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #1

2. A Bone to Pick (2018)

Author: Melinda Leigh
Publication Year: 2018
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #2

3. Whisper of Bones (2019)

Author: Melinda Leigh
Publication Year: 2019
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #3

4. Bred in the Bone (2019)

Author: Kendra Elliot
Publication Year: 2019
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #4

5. Below the Bones (2020)

Author: Kendra Elliot
Publication Year: 2020
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #5

6. A Broken Bone (2020)

Author: Melinda Leigh
Publication Year: 2020
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #6

7. Buried Bones (2021)

Author: Melinda Leigh
Publication Year: 2021
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #7

8. The Lost Bones (2021)

Author: Kendra Elliot
Publication Year: 2021
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #8

9. Bone Deep (2022)

Author: Kendra Elliot
Publication Year: 2022
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #9

10. The Wrong Bones (2022)

Author: Melinda Leigh
Publication Year: 2022
Reading Position: Widow’s Island #10

Leigh’s official bibliography confirms the 10-title sequence and distinguishes which books were written by Leigh and which by Elliot.

Rogue Justice Novellas

Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot also collaborated on the Rogue Justice novella sequence.

1. Twisted Truth (2017)

Author: Melinda Leigh
Publication Year: 2017
Reading Position: Rogue Justice #1

2. Truth Be Told (2017)

Author: Kendra Elliot
Publication Year: 2017
Reading Position: Rogue Justice #2

These two novellas form a shared sequence rather than a traditional Leigh-only series.

Echo Road (2024)

Echo Road

Echo Road is a standalone collaboration between Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. The story brings together Leigh’s Bree Taggert and Elliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick as the two investigators join forces to pursue a serial killer after suspicious suitcases are discovered.

Publication Year: 2024
Reading Position: Standalone crossover
Authors: Melinda Leigh & Kendra Elliot
Key Themes: Serial killer, investigation, crossover, suspense

Her Second Death (2021)

Her Second Death

Her Second Death is a short story connected to the Bree Taggert universe rather than a full-length Bree Taggert novel.

Publication Year: 2021
Reading Position: Bree Taggert companion short story
Key Themes: Crime, mystery, suspense

Leigh’s official bibliography places it within the Bree Taggert book list while identifying it specifically as a short story.

What Is the Best Order to Read Melinda Leigh Books?

There is no need to read every Melinda Leigh book chronologically.

For the best reading experience, choose the series that matches your interests:

Do You Need to Read Melinda Leigh Books in Order?

You should read each individual series in order, but you do not need to read all of Leigh’s books chronologically.

The recurring characters, relationships, and personal histories make series order preferable. For example, reading Morgan Dane in sequence lets you follow Morgan and Lance’s relationship and professional development from Say You’re Sorry through Save Your Breath.

The same principle applies to Bree Taggert, where the character’s history and relationships continue across the series.

How Many Melinda Leigh Books Are There?

The exact number depends on what you count because Leigh’s bibliography includes full-length novels, short stories, collaborative novellas, and books written with Kendra Elliot.

Her official printable bibliography currently includes:

• 10 published Bree Taggert novels
• 6 Morgan Dane novels
• 3 Scarlet Falls novels
• 5 full She Can novels + 1 short story
• 4 Midnight novels
• 1 published Olivia Cruz novel
• 10 Widow’s Island novellas
• 2 Rogue Justice novellas
• 1 standalone short story
• 1 standalone novel, Echo Road

There are also forthcoming books including Bree Taggert #11, Kill For Her and Olivia Cruz #2, I Know Your Secret.

Which Melinda Leigh Series Should You Start With?

Start with Bree Taggert if you love police procedurals

Bree’s transition from Philadelphia homicide detective to rural New York sheriff gives the series a strong law-enforcement perspective, while the continuing character relationships give the books a larger story arc.

Start with Morgan Dane if you prefer legal suspense

Morgan is a former prosecutor turned defense attorney, and her cases combine courtroom strategy with private investigation. Her partnership with Lance Kruger is an important part of the series.

Start with Scarlet Falls if you want a shorter commitment

With only three books, Scarlet Falls is a good option if you want a complete trilogy rather than a long-running series.

Start with She Can if you want Leigh’s earliest work

She Can Run was Leigh’s debut novel and the beginning of her published career.

Start with Olivia Cruz if you want her newest series

You Can Tell Me launched the Olivia Cruz series in May 2026, making it the most current place to begin if you want Leigh’s newest characters and story world.

About Melinda Leigh

Melinda Leigh is a bestselling American author known primarily for romantic suspense and crime thrillers.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Leigh worked as a banker. Her official biography describes her as a “fully recovered banker” who began writing while raising her children and eventually turned writing into her career.

Her bibliography has since expanded into several crime-fiction series featuring attorneys, detectives, sheriffs, investigators, and ordinary people caught in extraordinary danger.

Leigh has also collaborated extensively with fellow bestselling suspense author Kendra Elliot, particularly through the Widow’s Island novellas and crossover projects such as Echo Road.

Frequently Asked Questions About Melinda Leigh Books

What is the correct order to read Melinda Leigh books?

There is no single required order for Melinda Leigh’s entire bibliography because she writes several separate series. The best approach is to choose a series and read its books sequentially, such as Cross Her Heart through Beyond Her Reach for Bree Taggert or Say You’re Sorry through Save Your Breath for Morgan Dane.

How many Bree Taggert books are there?

There are currently 10 published Bree Taggert novels, beginning with Cross Her Heart in 2020 and continuing through Beyond Her Reach in 2025. The eleventh book, Kill For Her, is scheduled for January 12, 2027.

What is the first Melinda Leigh book?

Melinda Leigh’s first published novel was She Can Run, released in 2011. It launched the She Can series and marked the beginning of Leigh’s career as a published novelist.

What is the best Melinda Leigh series to start with?

For readers who want her most substantial modern crime series, Bree Taggert is a strong starting point. If you prefer legal suspense, start with Morgan Dane; if you want a shorter trilogy, Scarlet Falls offers three books with a more compact reading commitment.

Are Morgan Dane and Bree Taggert connected?

Yes. They share the broader Scarlet Falls fictional setting, although the two series have different central protagonists and cases. Morgan Dane begins in Scarlet Falls, while Bree Taggert later becomes sheriff in the same fictional community. This makes the series particularly interesting for readers who enjoy interconnected fictional worlds.

Should I read Scarlet Falls before Morgan Dane?

You don’t have to, but reading Scarlet Falls first can add context because the Morgan Dane books are also set in Scarlet Falls. If you mainly want Morgan’s story, however, starting directly with Say You’re Sorry works perfectly well.

Is the Widow’s Island series written entirely by Melinda Leigh?

No. Widow’s Island is a collaborative series written by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. The authors alternate installments, with Leigh responsible for titles including A Bone to Pick, Whisper of Bones, A Broken Bone, Buried Bones, and The Wrong Bones.

What is Melinda Leigh’s newest book?

As of August 2026, the newest published Melinda Leigh book is You Can Tell Me, the first Olivia Cruz novel, released May 12, 2026. The next announced books are Kill For Her, scheduled for January 2027, and I Know Your Secret, scheduled for September 2027.

Is Melinda Leigh still writing the Bree Taggert series?

Yes. Beyond Her Reach is Bree Taggert #10, and Leigh’s official site lists Kill For Her as Book 11 with a January 12, 2027 release date.

Are Melinda Leigh books romantic suspense or mystery?

They are primarily romantic suspense and crime thrillers, although the balance varies by series. Her books commonly combine murder investigations and psychological suspense with relationships, family dynamics, and romantic elements.

Who writes books with Melinda Leigh?

Kendra Elliot is Leigh’s most notable recurring collaborator. Together they have created the Widow’s Island novella series and worked on crossover stories including Echo Road.

Final Verdict

If you’re searching for Melinda Leigh books in order, don’t try to force her entire bibliography into one chronological reading list. Her books work much better when organized by series.

For a modern police-procedural experience, start with Bree Taggert; for legal and investigative suspense, choose Morgan Dane; for a shorter trilogy, try Scarlet Falls; and if you want Leigh’s earliest romantic suspense, begin with She Can Run.

And if you want to start with her newest work, You Can Tell Me introduces the Olivia Cruz series in 2026. With more Bree Taggert and Olivia Cruz books already announced for 2027, Leigh’s fictional universe is still expanding.

Best modern starting point: Cross Her Heart
Best legal-suspense starting point: Say You’re Sorry
Best short series: Scarlet Falls
Debut novel: She Can Run
Newest published book: You Can Tell Me
Next Bree Taggert book: Kill For Her — January 2027

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.