Introduction
If you’re a fan of heart-pounding thrillers, psychological suspense, or gritty crime fiction, J.T. Ellison is an author you need on your radar. As a New York Times bestselling author, Ellison has crafted a gripping catalog of novels, from her iconic Taylor Jackson series to her standalone domestic noir masterpieces like No One Knows. Whether you’re diving into her Nashville-based homicide investigations or exploring her co-authored Brit in the FBI series with Catherine Coulter, reading J.T. Ellison’s books in order enhances the experience, deepening your connection to her richly developed characters and interconnected plots. In this guide, we’ll break down the complete list of J.T. Ellison books in order, covering both publication and chronological sequences, and help you decide where to start. Let’s unravel the suspense!
About J.T. Ellison
J.T. Ellison is a Nashville-based author renowned for her psychological thrillers, domestic noir, and crime fiction. A former White House appointee and marketing director, Ellison found her true calling in storytelling after rediscovering her passion for forensics and crime. She’s also an Emmy Award-winning co-host of A Word on Words on Nashville Public Television and the founder of Two Tales Press. Her work, which includes the Taylor Jackson, Samantha Owens, and Brit in the FBI series, has been published in 28 countries and earned accolades like the ITW Thriller Award for The Cold Room. For more on her career, visit her official website.
Why Read J.T. Ellison Books in Order?
Reading J.T. Ellison’s books in order is key for fans of her series, as her stories build on character arcs and intricate plotlines. The Taylor Jackson series follows Nashville Homicide Lieutenant Taylor Jackson as she tackles twisted killers, with each book deepening her personal and professional struggles. Similarly, the Samantha Owens series traces the forensic pathologist’s journey through grief and complex cases, rewarding readers who follow her arc. The Brit in the FBI series, co-authored with Catherine Coulter, blends international intrigue with fast-paced action, making order essential for tracking Nicholas Drummond’s adventures. Even her standalone novels, like Lie to Me, share thematic connections that make a structured reading approach rewarding. Whether you’re chasing Taylor Jackson series order or exploring Samantha Owens books, this guide ensures you won’t miss a beat.
J.T. Ellison Books in Publication Order
Below is a comprehensive list of J.T. Ellison’s books in publication order, including series, standalones, novellas, and anthologies, with brief plot summaries.
- All the Pretty Girls (2007, Taylor Jackson #1): Nashville detective Taylor Jackson hunts a sadistic serial killer targeting young women, uncovering a chilling pattern of violence.
- 14 (2008, Taylor Jackson #2): Taylor faces a resurrected case when a killer from the past resumes his gruesome murders, pushing her skills to the limit.
- Judas Kiss (2008, Taylor Jackson #3): A pregnant woman’s murder leads Taylor into a web of betrayal and dark secrets in Nashville’s elite circles.
- The Cold Room (2010, Taylor Jackson #4): Taylor teams up with FBI profiler John Baldwin to stop a killer recreating famous paintings with his victims’ bodies.
- The Immortals (2010, Taylor Jackson #5): A Halloween massacre draws Taylor into a world of occult rituals and a deadly conspiracy.
- So Close the Hand of Death (2011, Taylor Jackson #6): A copycat killer targets Taylor personally, forcing her to confront her darkest fears.
- Where All the Dead Lie (2011, Taylor Jackson #7): Recovering from trauma, Taylor travels to Scotland, where a new threat emerges in a haunted castle.
- A Deeper Darkness (2012, Samantha Owens #1): Forensic pathologist Samantha Owens investigates a suspicious death in Washington, D.C., uncovering a conspiracy.
- Edge of Black (2012, Samantha Owens #2): Sam investigates a bioterrorism attack in D.C., racing against time to stop a deadly outbreak.
- When Shadows Fall (2014, Samantha Owens #3): Sam is drawn into a cult-related murder case that tests her forensic expertise and personal resolve.
- What Lies Behind (2015, Samantha Owens #4): Sam consults for the FBI on a double murder, uncovering a web of international intrigue.
- The Final Cut (2013, Brit in the FBI #1): Co-authored with Catherine Coulter, this introduces Nicholas Drummond, a British FBI agent investigating a diamond theft.
- Slices of Night (2014, Novella): A collaborative novella with Erica Spindler and Alex Kava, featuring three detectives tackling a serial killer.
- Storm Season (2014, Anthology): Another collaboration with Spindler and Kava, this anthology includes three interconnected crime stories.
- Blood Sugar Baby (2015, Taylor Jackson #6.5): A novella where Taylor investigates a bizarre murder tied to a music festival.
- The Lost Key (2014, Brit in the FBI #2): Nicholas Drummond chases a secret society linked to a deadly bombing in New York.
- The End Game (2015, Brit in the FBI #3): Nicholas and Michaela Caine tackle a terrorist plot threatening the U.S. government.
- No One Knows (2016, Standalone): Aubrey Hamilton grapples with her husband’s mysterious disappearance, questioning her reality.
- The First Decade (2016, Anthology): A collection of Ellison’s early short stories, showcasing her range in suspense.
- The Devil’s Triangle (2017, Brit in the FBI #4): Nicholas and Mike hunt for a stolen artifact tied to a global conspiracy.
- Lie to Me (2017, Standalone): A crumbling marriage unravels into betrayal and murder in this domestic noir thriller. Check our Abby Jimenez Books in Order.
- The Sixth Day (2018, Brit in the FBI #5): A cyberattack and a royal assassination pull Nicholas into a high-stakes mission.
- Tear Me Apart (2018, Standalone): A teenage skier’s accident reveals dark family secrets and a shocking cover-up.
- Stories of the Night (2018, Anthology): A collection of Ellison’s chilling short stories, perfect for suspense fans.
- Good Girls Lie (2019, Standalone): At an elite boarding school, a student’s death exposes lies and deadly secrets.
- Her Dark Lies (2021, Standalone): A wedding on a remote island turns deadly as secrets unravel among the guests.
- The Wolves Come at Night (2023, Taylor Jackson #9): Taylor returns to tackle a new case involving a missing girl and a dangerous predator.
- It’s One of Us (2023, Standalone): Olivia Bender’s dream of motherhood is tested when her husband’s past links him to a murder investigation.
- A Very Bad Thing (2024, Standalone): A bestselling author’s murder draws a detective into a maze of literary secrets.
- Last Seen (2025, Standalone): Set for release in August 2025, this psychological thriller explores family bonds and hidden truths.
Note: This list includes key novels and novellas. For a full list of short stories, check FictionDB.
J.T. Ellison Books in Chronological Order
For series fans, chronological order may differ from publication order due to prequels or novellas. Below are the main series in chronological order:
Taylor Jackson Series
- Crossed (2015, #0.5): A prequel novella introducing Taylor’s early career.
- All the Pretty Girls (2007, #1)
- 14 (2008, #2)
- Judas Kiss (2008, #3)
- The Cold Room (2010, #4)
- The Immortals (2010, #5)
- So Close the Hand of Death (2011, #6)
- Blood Sugar Baby (2015, #6.5)
- Where All the Dead Lie (2011, #7)
- The Wolves Come at Night (2023, #9)
Samantha Owens Series
- A Deeper Darkness (2012, #1)
- Edge of Black (2012, #2)
- When Shadows Fall (2014, #3)
- What Lies Behind (2015, #4)
Brit in the FBI Series (with Catherine Coulter)
- The Final Cut (2013, #1)
- The Lost Key (2014, #2)
- The End Game (2015, #3)
- The Devil’s Triangle (2017, #4)
- The Sixth Day (2018, #5)
- The Last Second (2019, #6)
Note: Chronological and publication orders align for Samantha Owens and Brit in the FBI series, but the Taylor Jackson series includes a prequel (Crossed) and a novella (Blood Sugar Baby) that fit between main novels.
Standalone Novels and Anthologies
J.T. Ellison’s standalone novels are perfect for readers who prefer self-contained stories. Her anthologies and short stories also offer quick, thrilling reads:
- No One Knows (2016): Aubrey’s life unravels when her husband vanishes, leading to questions of murder or betrayal.
- Lie to Me (2017): A seemingly perfect marriage hides dark secrets as a couple’s life spirals into chaos.
- Tear Me Apart (2018): A skier’s injury uncovers a web of lies about her family’s past.
- Good Girls Lie (2019): A prestigious boarding school hides deadly secrets behind its perfect facade.
- Her Dark Lies (2021): A dream wedding becomes a nightmare when secrets surface on an isolated island.
- It’s One of Us (2023): A couple’s fertility struggles lead to a shocking murder investigation tied to a sperm donor’s past.
- A Very Bad Thing (2024): A famous author’s death sparks a complex investigation into her literary world.
- Last Seen (2025): Coming August 2025, this standalone explores memory, truth, and family bonds.
- Anthologies and Short Stories:
- Slices of Night (2014): A novella with Spindler and Kava, featuring three detectives.
- Storm Season (2014): Three interconnected crime stories with Spindler and Kava.
- The First Decade (2016): Early short stories showcasing Ellison’s suspense mastery.
- Stories of the Night (2018): Creepy tales for fans of short-form suspense.
- Short stories like Chimera (2012) and Gray Lady, Lady Gray (2012) offer eerie, standalone thrills.
These standalones and anthologies are great entry points for new readers, offering intense, self-contained stories.
Where to Start with J.T. Ellison’s Books
New to J.T. Ellison? Here’s how to dive in based on your preferences:
- Love gritty police procedurals? Start with All the Pretty Girls (Taylor Jackson #1) to follow Nashville’s fearless homicide detective.
- Prefer forensic thrillers? Begin with A Deeper Darkness (Samantha Owens #1) for Sam’s gripping investigations.
- Crave international intrigue? Try The Final Cut (Brit in the FBI #1) for fast-paced FBI action.
- Want a standalone thriller? No One Knows or Lie to Me are perfect for domestic noir fans, with no series commitment.
- Short on time? Check out Slices of Night or The First Decade for quick, suspenseful reads.
Upcoming Releases and Latest Books
J.T. Ellison’s latest release, It’s One of Us (2023), dives into a couple’s fertility struggles, unraveling a murder mystery tied to a sperm donor’s past. Her next book, Last Seen, is set for release on August 1, 2025. This standalone psychological thriller promises a twisted exploration of family bonds and hidden truths, perfect for fans of No One Knows. Stay updated on new releases at Newbooksinorder.com.
Conclusion
J.T. Ellison’s novels deliver pulse-pounding suspense, unforgettable characters, and intricate plots that keep thriller fans hooked. Whether you’re drawn to Taylor Jackson’s Nashville investigations, Samantha Owens’ forensic expertise, or the high-stakes Brit in the FBI series, reading her books in order maximizes the experience. New readers can jump in with standalones like Lie to Me or dive into her series for a deeper journey. Start reading J.T. Ellison’s books today! Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below, and share this post with fellow thriller fans on Twitter or Facebook using #JTEllison #ThrillerBooks!
