Reading Order
Crime Filesseries.seoTitleShort
Start with A Rose for Her Grave and Other True Cases and continue through all 17 books in the listed reading order.
Start Here
Start with A Rose for Her Grave and Other True Cases
Book 1 by Ann Rule • Published 1993
The first volume in the Crime Files series features the case of Randy Roth, a mechanic whose wives had a habit of dying in tragic accidents. It also includes other accounts of killers who hid behind a mask of normalcy.
Complete List
Crime Files reading order
Ends with Lying in Wait and Other True Cases
- 1
Book 1:A Rose for Her Grave and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 1993
The first volume in the Crime Files series features the case of Randy Roth, a mechanic whose wives had a habit of dying in tragic accidents. It also includes other accounts of killers who hid behind a mask of normalcy.
- 2
Book 2:You Belong to Me and Other True Crime Cases
Ann Rule • 1994
This collection leads with the case of Tim Harris, a Florida highway patrolman who swore to protect but became a predator. Other cases explore the dark side of obsession and the fatal consequences of possessive love.
- 3
Book 3:A Fever in the Heart and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 1996
A collection focusing on crimes of passion, jealousy, and fatal attractions. The headline case involves a love triangle that turned deadly, showcasing how intense emotions can drive otherwise ordinary people to violence.
- 4
Book 4:In the Name of Love and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 1998
Features the case of Jerry Harris, a wealthy businessman who vanished, leaving his wife to hunt for the truth. Rule uncovers a plot of betrayal by a trusted friend who coveted Harris's life and fortune.
- 5
Book 5:The End of the Dream
Ann Rule • 1998
The saga of Scott Scurlock, known as the "Hollywood Bandit," who lived a double life as a charismatic ecologist and a prolific bank robber. His spree ended in a violent shootout that shattered the lives of his friends.
- 6
Book 6:A Rage to Kill and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 1999
A Crime Files anthology exploring the minds of killers who snap. The collection delves into the psychology of sudden violence, including the story of a bus driver whose secret life led to the abduction of a child.
- 7
Book 7:Empty Promises and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2001
A collection of cases where trust was met with betrayal. The stories focus on victims who believed the lies of those closest to them, leading to devastating and often fatal consequences.
- 8
Book 8:Last Dance, Last Chance
Ann Rule • 2001
This volume features the bizarre case of a doctor who poisoned his wife, among other stories. Rule explores how desperate individuals try to dance around the truth to escape justice.
- 9
Book 9:Kiss Me, Kill Me and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2004
Stories of romance turned lethal. This anthology looks at relationships that began with passion and ended in violence, highlighting the warning signs that were missed until it was too late.
- 10
Book 10:Worth More Dead and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2005
A collection focusing on greed as a motive for murder. The central cases involve spouses and family members who decided that an insurance payout was more valuable than a human life.
- 11
Book 11:No Regrets and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2006
This volume spotlights killers who refused to admit guilt or show sorrow. Rule examines the chilling mindset of criminals who justify their actions regardless of the evidence against them.
- 12
Book 12:Smoke, Mirrors, and Murder and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2007
Accounts of con artists and manipulators who created false realities to entrap their victims. The stories reveal how easily intelligence and kindness can be exploited by those without a conscience.
- 13
Book 13:Mortal Danger and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2008
A collection about high-stakes risks and fatal outcomes. These files cover cases where victims found themselves in perilous situations, often unaware of the mortal danger lurking in their everyday lives.
- 14
Book 14:But I Trusted You and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2009
Stories of ultimate betrayal by friends, lovers, and colleagues. Rule focuses on the shock and devastation that follows when a trusted companion turns out to be a killer.
- 15
Book 15:Don't Look Behind You
Ann Rule • 2011
A collection of hidden dangers and secret lives. The stories illustrate how the past can come back to haunt the present, and how predators often hide in plain sight.
- 16
Book 16:Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2012
This anthology examines the danger next door. The cases focus on community tragedies where the killer was a familiar face—a neighbor, a coworker, or a friend.
- 17
Book 17:Lying in Wait and Other True Cases
Ann Rule • 2014
A collection focused on premeditated crimes and ambushes. Rule details cases where killers patiently stalked their victims or laid traps, highlighting the calculated nature of their malice.
Quick Answers
Crime Files FAQ
What is the best order to read the Crime Files series?
The recommended reading order is the numbered order shown on this page, starting with A Rose for Her Grave and Other True Cases.
How many books are in the Crime Files series?
There are 17 books currently listed in the Crime Files series on GurusReads.
Where should I start with the Crime Files series?
New readers should start with A Rose for Her Grave and Other True Cases, the first book in the reading order.
Is the Crime Files series complete?
Based on the publication years we have, the series appears likely complete and spans releases from 1993 to 2014.