Books in Order
Lisa Gardner Books in Order
About Lisa Gardner
Lisa Gardner (born 1972, Oregon) is a prolific crime thriller author whose novels focus on detective work, family violence, and the psychology of perpetrators and survivors. She is best known for her D.D. Warren series — following Boston homicide detective D.D. Warren — and the Quincy & Rainie series featuring an FBI profiler and a former cop turned PI. Gardner does extensive research with law enforcement, forensic psychologists, and survivors of violence, and she is known for the procedural authenticity and emotional depth of her thrillers. She publishes approximately one novel per year.
New to Lisa Gardner? Start with Love You More (D.D. Warren #5) — it is her most acclaimed D.D. Warren novel and works well as a standalone. Alternatively, start the D.D. Warren series from Alone (Book 1) for full character development.
D.D. Warren Series
Boston homicide detective D.D. Warren investigates violent crimes — often involving families, children, and survivors of domestic violence.
Book 1![Alone]()
Alone
2005
Series startDetective D.D. Warren's debut. A hostage situation with a sniper.
Get this book →Book 5![Love You More]()
Love You More
2011
Best entry pointA state trooper reports her husband missing — then her daughter. Gardner's most acclaimed novel.
Get this book →(Books 8–14+)![...series continues through Look For Me, When You See Me, Before She Disappeared, and others]()
...series continues through Look For Me, When You See Me, Before She Disappeared, and others
2015–2024
Get this book →Quincy & Rainie Series
FBI profiler Pierce Quincy and Rainie Conner investigate missing persons and criminal psychology cases.
(Books 4–8)![...series continues through The Survivors Club, The Killing Hour, Alone (crossover), and others]()
...series continues through The Survivors Club, The Killing Hour, Alone (crossover), and others
2002–2017
Get this book →Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read Lisa Gardner books?
The D.D. Warren series is her most popular — start at Book 1 (Alone) or jump in at Love You More (Book 5), which is her best-reviewed D.D. Warren novel and works as a standalone. The Quincy & Rainie series can be read independently. D.D. Warren and Quincy & Rainie characters cross over in later books.
Are Lisa Gardner's books standalone or do they need to be read in order?
Most D.D. Warren novels work as standalones, though reading in order gives fuller character development. Love You More is frequently recommended as the ideal entry point for new readers. The Quincy & Rainie series benefits more from order.
How does Lisa Gardner compare to other crime thriller authors?
Gardner is generally compared to Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen, and Harlan Coben. Her books tend toward psychologically complex domestic crime — missing children, family violence, survivor perspectives — with less emphasis on serial killer hunting than some peers.