Lisa Gardner Books in Order: From My First Case File to My Last Sleepless Night

Let me be honest, I’m the kind of reader who treasures peeling back the layers of a gripping thriller, one novel at a time, in the order the author intended. So there’s something wonderfully satisfying about following Lisa Gardner’s work in sequence, watching her characters grow, her suspense deepen. From FBI profilers and tenacious detectives to missing-persons specialists, her stories pulse with life and momentum when read chronologically.

I’m excited to trace that arc with you, whether you’re brand-new to her page-turners or diving back in, order matters, and here’s why it all works beautifully that way.

Order to Read: Lisa Gardner’s Series (in Publication Order)

FBI Profiler (Quincy & Rainie) Series

1. The Perfect Husband (1997)
2. The Third Victim (2001)
3. The Next Accident (2001)
4. The Killing Hour (2003)
5. Gone (2006)
6. Say Goodbye (2008)
7. The 4th Man (short story, #6.5 crossover) (2016)
8. Right Behind You (2017)
9. When You See Me (2020, crossover)

Detective D.D. Warren Series

1. Alone (2004)
2. Hide (2007)
3. The Neighbor (2009)
4. Live to Tell (2010)
5. Love You More (2011, crossover)
6. The 7th Month (short story, #5.5) (2012)
7. Catch Me (2012)
8. Fear Nothing (2014)
9. 3 Truths and a Lie (short story, #7.5) (2016)
10. Find Her (2016)
11. The 4th Man (short story, #8.5 crossover) (2016)
12. Look for Me (2018)
13. The Guy Who Died Twice (short story, #9.5) (2019)
14. Never Tell (2019)
15. When You See Me (2020, crossover)

Tessa Leoni Series

1. Love You More (2011, crossover)
2. Touch & Go (2013)
3. Crash & Burn (2015)

Frankie Elkin Series

1. Before She Disappeared (2021)
2. One Step Too Far (2022)
3. Still See You Everywhere (2024)
4. Kiss Her Goodbye (2025)

Standalone Novels

• The Other Daughter (1999)
• The Survivors Club (2002)
• I’d Kill For That (2004)

Behind the Pen: A Peek at Lisa Gardner (and Alias Alicia Scott)

I’m always curious about how an author’s evolution shapes their storytelling, and Lisa Gardner’s journey is a fascinating tapestry. Under her own name, she’s a master of tense, layered suspense, FBI profilers, detectives, private eyes, and missing-persons cases all converge in her universe. Her characters feel real, her stakes high, and her pacing relentless.

But before that, she wrote romance and family-drama novels under the pseudonym Alicia Scott, quickly paced, emotionally driven stories about relationships, identity, and family secrets. It’s almost like two writers in one: the heartfelt romance of Alicia Scott, and the pulse-pounding thrill of Lisa Gardner. I find that duality really enriches how Gardner crafts emotional depth into her thrillers today.

Why Order Makes a Difference (and When You Can Flex a Bit)

• Character arcs and crossovers matter. The Quincy & Rainie duo deepen over the FBI Profiler series, and Detective D.D. Warren’s world intersects in The 4th Man and When You See Me. Reading in order helps those connections land with impact.
• Short stories deepen context. Those little interludes, The 7th Month, 3 Truths and a Lie, The Guy Who Died Twice, may feel side-notes, but they add texture to D.D.’s character. They’re best sprinkled into your D.D. binge when they were published.
• Standalone works are safe to mix in. They’re complete stories on their own and don’t spoil series threads. I sometimes treat them as palate-cleansers between heavier installments.

In short: yes, reading the core series in order gives you the most immersive arc. But feel free to dip into standalone or switch series if you’re craving a change of pace.

FAQ

Q: Are the FBI Profiler and D.D. Warren books connected?
A: Yes, especially through crossovers like The 4th Man and When You See Me. Reading the FBI series and the D.D. Warren series in tandem, in order, brings those links to life, characters migrate, investigations intertwine, and the world just feels richer.

Q: Can I read short stories and novellas out of order?
A: Technically, yes, since each has a self-contained plot. But I’d recommend slotting them where they were published, e.g., read The 7th Month after Love You More, and 3 Truths and a Lie after Fear Nothing, so references and character development sync up naturally.

Q: Does it matter if I start with Frankie Elkin or Tessa Leoni instead of the FBI or D.D. Warren series?
A: Not at all, you can dive into whichever series grabs you. Frankie Elkin is newer and standalone-friendly. Starting there gives you her world without needing to backtrack, but if you enjoy crossover cameos or deeper character histories, eventually working your way through the FBI Profiler or D.D. Warren books is rewarding.

Verdict: Your Reading Roadmap

If you’re up for a thrilling ride, start with the FBI Profiler (Quincy & Rainie), then move to Detective D.D. Warren, following birth-year publication and slotting in the short stories where they fit. Add in Tessa Leoni somewhere mid-stream if you like extra crossover flavor. Frankie Elkin is perfect if you’re drawn to a fresh perspective, start with Before She Disappeared and go from there. And whenever you feel like a tight, complete mystery, drop in a standalone.

This reading path gives you the deep, layered universe Gardner has built, her characters growing and intersecting, world-building unfolding authentically, with enough flexibility to keep you happily turning pages at your own pace.