Ally Carter Reading Order

2 books (2014–2018)

Ally Carter edited two complete anthologies of short fiction released between 2014 and 2018. These mystery, thriller, and young adult collections should be read in publication order, beginning with My True Love Gave to Me followed by Hope Nation. Each anthology brings together multiple authors and stories within the action and adventure genres.

Start with My True Love Gave to Me and read in order.

#	Title
1	My True Love Gave to Me 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Hope Nation 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2023–2025)

Ally Carter's Blonde Identity series comprises two mystery thrillers for young adults, with the first installment released in 2023 and the second in 2025. The series is still ongoing, so readers should follow publication order beginning with The Blonde Identity, then continue to The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold. These action-packed entries blend espionage and mystery elements characteristic of Carter's storytelling style.

Start with The Blonde Identity and read in order.

2 books (2005–2006)

The Cheating at Solitaire series is a complete two-book young adult mystery and thriller sequence by Ally Carter. Both novels were published between 2005 and 2006 and should be read in publication order, beginning with Cheating at Solitaire followed by Learning to Play Gin. This compact series combines action and adventure elements within its mystery-driven narrative.

Start with Cheating at Solitaire and read in order.

#	Title
1	Cheating at Solitaire 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Learning to Play Gin 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (2014–2016)

Embassy Row is a five-book young adult mystery series by Ally Carter published between 2014 and 2016. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Before the Fall: Departure and concluding with Take the Key and Lock Her Up. This action-packed thriller follows a protagonist navigating international intrigue and danger across a network of diplomatic locations. The series combines suspenseful mystery elements with adventure as Carter's protagonist works to uncover secrets hidden within the embassy world.

Start with Before the Fall: Departure, the first of 5 books in the Embassy Row series.

#	Title
1	Before the Fall: Departure 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	All Fall Down 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Before the Fall: Arrival 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	See How They Run 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Take the Key and Lock Her Up 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

8 books (2006–2018)

The Gallagher Girls series consists of eight complete books published between 2006 and 2018, following a cast of young characters through their experiences at an elite institution. Written by Ally Carter, this young adult mystery and action series blends espionage and thriller elements throughout its interconnected narrative. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and concluding with The Spies That Bind. The series combines mystery, adventure, and coming-of-age themes across its eight installments.

Start with I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, the first of 8 books in the Gallagher Girls series.

#	Title
1	I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Only the Good Spy Young 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Out of Sight, Out of Time 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	A Gallagher Wedding 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	United We Spy 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Spies That Bind 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (2010–2016)

Ally Carter's Heist Society series comprises five complete books published between 2010 and 2016, following a cast of characters involved in elaborate heists and cons. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Heist Society and continuing through Uncommon Criminals, Double Crossed, Perfect Scoundrels, and concluding with The Grift of the Magi. These young adult mystery and adventure novels blend action, intrigue, and clever plotting throughout their interconnected storylines.

Start with Heist Society, the first of 5 books in the Heist Society series.

#	Title
1	Heist Society 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Uncommon Criminals 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Double Crossed 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Perfect Scoundrels 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Grift of the Magi 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2019–2019)

#	Title
1	Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (2018–2026)

Ally Carter has written four standalone novels in her mystery and thriller series for young adult readers, published between 2018 and 2024. Each book can be enjoyed independently, though reading them in publication order—beginning with Not If I Save You First—provides the best experience. The series remains ongoing, with the most recent installment being It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder.

Start with Not If I Save You First and read in order.

#	Title
1	Not If I Save You First 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2020–2021)

Ally Carter's Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor series consists of two books published between 2020 and 2021, blending mystery, thriller, and young adult action-adventure elements. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor followed by Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery. The series appears to be complete at two books.

Start with Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor and read in order.

#	Title
1	Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible