Read every series in the right order
Will Trent Books in Chronological Order – Complete Guide
Table of Contents
From explosive murder scenes to deep character psychology, Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent series is one of the most gripping modern thriller sagas. Whether you’re binge-reading the books or just watched the ABC adaptation, this complete reading guide will walk you through the Will Trent Books in Chronological Order, along with summaries, formats, TV details, and more.
What started as a Georgia Bureau of Investigation procedural quickly evolved into a deeply emotional, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller series.
The Will Trent series, by bestselling author Karin Slaughter, offers high-octane cases, layered characters, and twisted secrets that often hit uncomfortably close to home. Fans of Tana French, Lisa Gardner, or Michael Connelly will feel right at home.
But here’s the twist: some books intersect with Slaughter’s earlier Grant County series—and many new readers ask whether they should read by publication date or the in-universe timeline.
That’s exactly why we created this complete Will Trent reading order guide.
Quick Facts About the Will Trent Book Series
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | Karin Slaughter |
| Series Length | 12 novels (as of 2024) |
| Total Page Count | ~5,500 pages (varies by edition) |
| Audiobook Length | 150+ hours total |
| Original Publication | 2006 (Triptych) |
| Chronological Span | Covers 2006 to present day with flashbacks into the 1970s |
| Genres | Police Procedural · Psychological Thriller · Domestic Noir |
| Media Adaptations | ABC’s Will Trent TV series (2023–present) |
| Recommended Start | Read in publication order unless bingeing Will + Sara arc |
| Ideal Age Range | 18+ for violence, trauma, and dark psychological themes |
Will Trent Books at a Glance
| Title | Year | Buy Link |
|---|---|---|
| Triptych | 2006 | Buy on Amazon |
| Fractured | 2008 | Buy on Amazon |
| Undone | 2009 | Buy on Amazon |
| Broken | 2010 | Buy on Amazon |
| Fallen | 2011 | Buy on Amazon |
| Criminal | 2012 | Buy on Amazon |
| Unseen | 2013 | Buy on Amazon |
| The Kept Woman | 2016 | Buy on Amazon |
| The Last Widow | 2019 | Buy on Amazon |
| The Silent Wife | 2020 | Buy on Amazon |
| After That Night | 2023 | Buy on Amazon |
| This Is Why We Lied | 2024 | Buy on Amazon |
Will Trent Books in Chronological Order
While the Will Trent books are mostly linear, one book (Criminal) takes readers into the 1970s through a major flashback arc.
- 1. Triptych
- 2. Fractured
- 3. Undone (aka *Genesis*)
- 4. Broken
- 5. Fallen
- 6. Criminal (features flashbacks to Amanda Wagner’s early career)
- 7. Unseen
- 8. The Kept Woman
- 9. The Last Widow
- 10. The Silent Wife
- 11. After That Night
- 12. This Is Why We Lied
Novels Sorted in Order of Publication
The publication order matches the character development arc and suspense pacing that Slaughter intended.
- Triptych (2006)
- Fractured (2008)
- Undone (2009)
- Broken (2010)
- Fallen (2011)
- Criminal (2012)
- Unseen (2013)
- The Kept Woman (2016)
- The Last Widow (2019)
- The Silent Wife (2020)
- After That Night (2023)
- This Is Why We Lied (2024)
Companion Works
- Grant County Series: Includes characters who cross over into the Will Trent books (notably Sara Linton and Lena Adams).
- Short Stories: Some Will Trent stories appear in thriller collections and magazine features.
- Standalone Novels: While not interconnected, titles like Pretty Girls and False Witness echo similar themes and style.
Editions & Formats
| Format | Narrator (Audio) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardcover | Ideal for collectors | |
| Paperback | Widely available | |
| Kindle | Often discounted | |
| Audible | Kathleen Early | Consistent across the series |
Why Read Will Trent Books in Chronological Order?
- 📈 Character progression makes the most sense in publication order.
- 🔍 Mystery reveals are structured across multiple arcs.
- 📺 The TV show adapts events from various books out of sequence.
If you’re watching the show and reading alongside, consult our Publication vs. Chronological Reading Guide to stay aligned.
Author Spotlight: Karin Slaughter
Karin Slaughter is a Georgia-born author with more than 40 million books sold across 120 countries. Known for blending raw emotion with procedural grit, she’s the creator of both the Grant County and Will Trent series.
In addition to her novels, Slaughter is the founder of the “Save the Libraries” project and has seen several of her works adapted for TV—including Pieces of Her (Netflix) and Will Trent (ABC).
Media Adaptations
Will Trent (ABC / Hulu / Disney+)
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Will Trent | Ramón Rodríguez |
| Faith Mitchell | Iantha Richardson |
| Angie Polaski | Erika Christensen |
| Amanda Wagner | Sonja Sohn |
| Jake McLaughlin | Michael Ormewood |
- First Aired: 2023
- Streaming: Hulu (U.S.), Disney+ (Intl.)
- Seasons: 2 confirmed (as of 2024)
- Based on: Triptych, Fractured, Criminal (composite arcs)
🎥 Want to catch up? Stream Will Trent on Hulu or Disney+.
FAQs
Do I need to read the Grant County series first?
Not required, but it adds depth—especially for Sara Linton.
Is there a specific order for reading Will Trent vs Grant County?
You can read Will Trent alone, but if you want full background: Grant County ➝ Will Trent.
Is the TV show faithful to the books?
Mostly. Some characters are re-imagined or combined.
Who narrates the audiobooks?
Kathleen Early narrates most of the Will Trent books.
Are the books graphic or violent?
Yes. Slaughter explores dark crimes and trauma; recommended for mature readers.
Will there be a 13th Will Trent novel?
Karin Slaughter has hinted “This Is Why We Lied” won’t be the last.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got the Will Trent Books in Chronological Order, you’re ready to plunge into Karin Slaughter’s gripping, gut-punching world of corruption, justice, and fragile redemption.
Which book gripped you hardest—or are you discovering Will Trent for the first time?
