Iris Johansen Books in Order: Eve Duncan & More

By Anna Marie CarrollThriller

Johansen began her career as an author churning out romance novels at an impressive pace, before transitioning into the crime fiction genre. So, between her shift in genres and the steady pace at which she has written books during the past nearly 40 years, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin with the Iris Johansen books in order.

In this guide we’re going to break her bibliography into two sections: Her romance novels and then her crime fiction books. In these two genres Johansen has written more than 110 titles and some of those books fall between those two genres in the genre of romantic suspense. There are multiple series in addition to her popular Eve Duncan books, as well as many standalones.

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Iris Johansen Crime Books in Order

Wind Dancer Books

However, in terms of Iris Johansen’s genre shift, The Wind Dancer is largely seen as the book that defines that movement from romance to suspenseful historical romance which led into crime fiction. It begins in Renaissance Italy, travels through eighteenth-century France and into the modern day following the search for the exquisite Wind Dancer statue through the years and across the world.

  1. The Wind Dancer (1991)
  2. Storm Winds (1991)
  3. Reap the Wind (1997)
  4. Final Target (2001)

Eve Duncan Books

This series is by far Johansen’s most well-known series, and it is also her longest. These Iris Johansen books in order follow Eve Duncan, a forensic sculptor who finds her motivation from the darkest period of her life. That’s because years ago, her seven-year-old child, Bonnie, was kidnapped and murdered. So, now Eve tries through her work to bring closure to other parents who have lost their children.

  1. The Face of Deception (1998)
  2. The Killing Game (1999)
  3. The Search (2000)
  4. Body of Lies (2002)
  5. Blind Alley (2004)
  6. Countdown (2005)
  7. Stalemate (2006)
  8. Quicksand (2008)
  9. Blood Game (2009)
  10. Eight Days to Live (2010)
  11. Chasing the Night (2010)
  12. Eve (2011)
  13. Quinn (2011)
  14. Bonnie (2011)
  15. Sleep No More (2012)
  16. Taking Eve (2013)
  17. Hunting Eve (2013)
  18. Silencing Eve (2013)
  19. Shadow Play (2015)
  20. Hide Away (2016)
  21. Night and Day (2016)
  22. Mind Game (2017)
  23. Shattered Mirror (2018)
  24. Dark Tribute (2019)
  25. Smokescreen (2019)
  26. The Persuasion (2020)
  27. The Bullet (2021)
  28. A Face to Die For (2022)
  29. Captive (2022)
  30. The Survivor (2023)
  31. The Death Mask (2025)

Eve Duncan Subseries

Within the overarching Eve Duncan series, there are also multiple subseries. While the main series follows a chronological timeline and character development, each book usually follows a new case and investigation. However in these subseries, the plot and progression within each of the books are much more inextricably linked.

2011 Eve Duncan Trilogy
  1. Eve (2011)
  2. Quinn (2011)
  3. Bonnie (2011)
2013 Eve Duncan Trilogy
  1. Taking Eve (2013)
  2. Hunting Eve (2013)
  3. Silencing Eve (2013)
2015 Eve Duncan Trilogy
  1. Shadow Play (2015)
  2. Hide Away (2016)
  3. Night and Day (2016)

Does the Eve Duncan series need to be read in order?

The best way to read these Iris Johansen books in order would be to follow the publication order. This is especially true for the trilogies that make up subseries within the world.

Each book within the main series follows a chronological timeline, so each book inherently builds upon the previous. The books tend to follow a new investigation, but there is more that is revealed about Eve Duncan with each book. For that reason, following the order of publication will allow you to experience the suspense and growth of the character the way that Johansen intended.

Then the trilogies are much more entwined and follow a larger story arc through the three books. You should absolutely read these Iris Johansen books in order.

Hannah Bryson Books

As previously mentioned, Iris Johansen works closely with her children, and this was the first book to be co-written with her son, Roy Johansen. This series follows the titular Hannah Bryson, who is a marine architect, on the assignment of a lifetime working on a decommissioned Soviet submarine to give it the all-clear for a tourist destination. However, events then turn lethal and Hannah will stop at nothing to reveal its secrets.

  1. Silent Thunder (2008)
  2. Shadow Zone (2010)

Catherine Ling Books

This next series is another spin-off series from Iris Johansen’s Eve Duncan series, with Chasing the Night being a crossover novel for both series. Catherine Ling has been a CIA operative since she was fourteen and grew up on the streets of Hong Kong.

The first book features Catherine partnering with Eve when, eight years after her toddler was kidnapped, she is still haunted by that nightmare. Catherine seeks Eve out to leverage her forensic skills to use age progression and see what her child would look like today.

  1. Chasing the Night (2010)
  2. What Doesn’t Kill You (2012)
  3. Live to See Tomorrow (2014)
  4. Your Next Breath (2015)
  5. Vendetta (2018)

Kendra Michaels Books

This is another series that Iris Johansen has written with her son, Roy Johansen. The exception to their co-authorship is with Killer View, because that book is written exclusively by Roy Johansen. The Kendra Michaels books also take place within the same universe as the Eve Duncan series, and the third title on this list, Sleep No More, is a crossover book between the two series.

Kendra Michaels is a secret weapon for the FBI with an uncanny capability for acute observation and analysis. In the first book Kendra is brought into a serial murder investigation. However, she must make a choice when the next name on the killer’s hit list is her ex-lover, an FBI agent who disappeared without a trace.

  1. Close Your Eyes (2012)
  2. With Open Eyes (2012) (Short Story)
  3. Sleep No More (2012)
  4. Sight Unseen (2014)
  5. The Naked Eye (2015)
  6. Night Watch (2016)
  7. Look Behind You (2017)
  8. Double Blind (2018)
  9. Hindsight (2020)
  10. Blink of an Eye (2021)
  11. Killer View by Roy Johansen (2022)
  12. More Than Meets the Eye (2023)
  13. Flashback (2024)
  14. Wait and See (2026)

Alisa Flynn Books

This next series in our list of the Iris Johansen books in order follows a CIA agent, Alisa Flynn, as she goes rogue. Alisa is willing to do whatever it takes to catch the most heartless band of criminals she’s ever encountered. But the line between right and wrong wavers as she tries to save a group of kidnapped schoolgirls in Africa with the help of a billionaire and a horse whisperer.

  1. Chaos (2020)

Logan Tanner Books

This new series from Iris Johansen combines her crime fiction writing with the high stakes world of gambling. The titular character, Logan Tanner, is a professional gambler used to taking risks with nerves of steel.

But behind the glitz and glamor of his live lies a dark and violent past. Then that world comes back knocking with the arrival of the beautiful and innocent Lara Balkon. Soon, Logan is caught between two Russian mafia bosses in an effort to save Lara’s life.

  1. High Stakes (2021)

Kira Drake Books

The Kira Drake series follows a former search-and-rescue worker pulled into a high-stakes international manhunt after a deadly attack in Paris, alongside her trained search dog, Mack. As Bookreporter notes, it blends fast-moving global suspense with deeply personal stakes, making it an easy and gripping entry point for new readers.

  1. On the Hunt (2024)

Standalones

Finally, Iris Johansen has also published more than a dozen crime fiction standalones throughout her career as an author. If you aren’t sure where to begin with her bibliography, or if you’ve read the Eve Duncan books and are looking for something else by Johansen to read next, these are great options without committing to a lengthy series.

  1. The Ugly Duckling (1996)
  2. Long After Midnight (1997)
  3. And Then You Die (1998)
  4. No One to Trust (2002)
  5. Dead Aim (2002)
  6. Fatal Tide (2003)
  7. Firestorm (2004)
  8. On the Run (2005)
  9. Killer Dreams (2006)
  10. Pandora’s Daughter (2007)
  11. Dark Summer (2008)
  12. Deadlock (2009)
  13. Storm Cycle (2009) (With Roy Johansen)
  14. The Perfect Witness (2014)
  15. No Easy Target (2017)

Iris Johansen Romance Books in Order

Donovan Enterprises Books

Iris Johansen’s debut novel was Stormy Vows, with another book taking place within the same world being published just one month later. Stormy Vows involves a sudden marriage and a heartbreaking misunderstanding between our characters Michael and Brenna. Then, Tempest at Sea follows Jane and Jake’s month-long cruise of the Caribbean after Jake found Jane sneaking aboard his yacht.

  1. Stormy Vows (1983)
  2. Tempest at Sea (1983)

Reluctant Lark Books

Next, again in quick succession, came two more romance novels. The Reluctant Lark came out in November, with The Bronzed Hawk being published one month later in December. Both feature wild free spirits unexpectedly finding love and needing to make a choice to let their love blossom.

  1. The Reluctant Lark (1983)
  2. The Bronzed Hawk (1983)

Sedikhan Books

The next romance series in the Iris Johansen books in order has hints of magical realism and otherworldliness while taking place in a fictional desert land. This series contains both historical and contemporary romances.

As well, the last title on the below list, The Golden Barbarian, is a prequel. However, reading the books in original publication order would be the recommendation for first time readers.

  1. The Golden Valkyrie (1984)
  2. The Trustworthy Redhead (1984)
  3. Capture the Rainbow (1984)
  4. Touch the Horizon (1984)
  5. A Summer Smile (1985)
  6. And the Desert Blooms (1986)
  7. Always (1986)
  8. Everlasting (1986)
  9. Til the End of Time (1986)
  10. Last Bridge Home (1987)
  11. Across the River of Yesterday (1987)
  12. Star Light, Star Bright (1987)
  13. Man from Half Moon Bay (1988)
  14. Blue Skies and Shining Promises (1988)
  15. Magnificent Folly (1989)
  16. Notorious (1990)
  17. A Tough Man to Tame (1991)
  18. The Golden Barbarian (1991) (Prequel)

Clanad Books

The Clanad series is largely a subseries within the larger Sedikhan series. However, The Lady and the Unicorn was written first, and therefore belongs exclusively within the Clanad series.

These are paranormal romances with magic throughout the books. Each one follows new protagonists, but still takes place within the same world.

  1. The Lady and the Unicorn (1983)
  2. The Last Bridge Home (1987)
  3. Across the River of Yesterday (1987)
  4. Magnificent Folly (1989)
  5. A Tough Man to Tame (1991)

Louis Benoit Books

This is another subseries from the Sedikhan series, taking place within the same world and timeline. The first book follows the love story between a man who is used to getting everything he wants and an independent woman who rebels at his arrogance.

  1. The Trustworthy Redhead (1984)
  2. The Spellbinder (1987)

Santa Flores Books

When Return to Santa Flores was published, Iris Johansen hadn’t yet been a published author for a full year and had already written eight books, keeping up her impressive streak of publishing one book a month.

The first book within this duology follows Steve, a jaded Las Vegas casino owner and Jenny, the girl he once adopted but who is now a woman in love with him. No Red Roses is about the love between a celebrity musician and a small-town girl, and whether they can overcome their different lifestyles for the love they feel for one another.

  1. Return to Santa Flores (1984)
  2. No Red Roses (1984)

Beau Landry/White Satin Books

Many of Iris Johansen’s books feature an interesting power dynamic between her love interests. These books then follow the pair as they work together to find harmony, and this series from our list of the Iris Johansen books in order is no exception.

The first book follows the fiery attraction and passion Joel, a director, feels after mistaking Kendra for a starlet. The next book features a wild, free spirit in the form of Kate Gilbert, and a lovestruck male lead, Beau Landry, who is willing to risk everything for her.

Finally, And the Desert Blooms brings readers back to Sedikhan after Pandora ran off to tour the world with her rock group Nemesis. Now she is returning to the desert state, and the man she once loved, Sheik Philip El Kabbar.

  1. White Satin (1985)
  2. Blue Velvet (1985)
  3. And the Desert Blooms (1986)

The Delaneys Books

This next series within the list of Iris Johansen books in order is a collaborative trilogy from multiple Loveswept authors. It is an overarching series with multiple subseries within it, but each book follows a new member of the Delaney family.

  1. Rafe, The Maverick by Kay Hooper (1986)
  2. York, The Renegade by Iris Johansen (1986)
  3. Burke, The Kingpin by Fayrene Preston (1986)
  4. Adelaide, The Enchantress by Kay Hooper (1987)
  5. Matilda, The Adventuress by Iris Johansen (1987)
  6. Sydney, The Temptress by Fayrene Preston (1987)
  7. This Fierce Splendor by Iris Johansen (1988)
  8. Golden Flames by Kay Hooper (1988)
  9. Wild Silver by Iris Johansen (1988)
  10. Copper Fire by Fayrene Preston (1988)
  11. Velvet Lightning by Kay Hooper (1988)
  12. Satin Ice by Iris Johansen (1988)
  13. Silken Thunder by Fayrene Preston (1988)
  14. The Delaney Christmas Carol by Kay Hooper (1992)

The Shamrock Trinity Books

In The Shamrock Trinity series the first book was written by Kay Hooper and the third book was written by Fayrene Preston. Meanwhile, Johansen wrote York, The Renegade. Each book follows a different Delaney brother as they find love.

  1. Rafe, The Maverick (1986)
  2. York, The Renegade (1986)
  3. Burke, The Kingpin (1986)

Delaneys of Killaroo Books

Then, there is another subseries trilogy, but this time following three women in the Delaney family. Again, Kay Hooper wrote the first book with Fayrene Preston writing the third, and Johansen wrote Matilda, The Adventuress.

  1. Adelaide, The Enchantress (1987)
  2. Matilda, The Adventuress (1987)
  3. Sydney, The Temptress (1987)

Lion’s Bride Books

This duology is a historical romance taking place within a medieval setting from Damascus to the Scottish Highlands. The first book follows one sister, Thea, while the second book follows the other sister Selene on her journey from being a harem slave, to escaping to her native Scotland, and then embarking on a perilous quest with a former assassin to win her freedom.

  1. Lion’s Bride (1996)
  2. The Treasure (2008)

Standalones

Finally, at least for the romance section of the Iris Johansen books in order, she also wrote more than a dozen standalone romances before her genre shift. Some of these titles, such as Star-Spangled Bride, are more classic Loveswept romances.

However, if you read these books in order of publication, you will see the transition and ebb and flow as Johansen began including more suspenseful plot lines within her books. For example, An Unexpected Song can be seen more accurately as romantic suspense, with a killer lurking in the background of the book and dangerous secrets laying in wait.

  1. The Forever Dream (1985)
  2. Strong, Hot Winds (1988)
  3. Wicked Jake Darcy (1989)
  4. One Touch of Topaz (1990)
  5. Tender Savage (1990)
  6. An Unexpected Song (1990)
  7. Winter Bride (1992)
  8. The Tiger Prince (1992)
  9. Star-Spangled Bride (1993)
  10. The Magnificent Rogue (1993)
  11. Midnight Warrior (1994)
  12. The Beloved Scoundrel (1994)
  13. Dark Rider (1995)

Who is Iris Johansen?

Iris Johansen didn’t begin writing until later in life. It wasn’t until her children had grown up and moved out that she turned to writing fiction, and quickly found success as a Loveswept romance author. The Loveswept series ran from 1983 until 1999 and features many different authors.

During this period Johansen was published a new book every month, which is a pace she would keep up for a long time. However, after writing traditional romance novels for nearly a decade, Johansen was craving a change, and began her shift between genres.

This began with a slow transition into writing romantic suspense novels, then writing crime fiction novels with a hint of romance. During this period of change, and after, Johansen continued to write romance novels. Even still some of her more recent books have a stronger romance theme than others.

On her website Johansen says she began writing romance novels because she loves happy ever after endings, but she wanted to challenge herself more. That led to her genre shift, following which she began the Eve Duncan series, which has since become the most well-known series from her body of work.

While Johansen began writing when her children had grown up and she found herself needing to fill her time, she now works very closely with her children. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award winning author himself, and has co-written books with his mother. Meanwhile, Iris Johansen’s daughter, Tamara, is her research assistant.

Johansen has had more than 30 consecutive New York Times bestsellers. She currently lives in Florida and Georgia.

Looking for similar books in order?

If you want more thriller authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Thriller Books in Order index.

2 thoughts on “Iris Johansen Books in Order: Eve Duncan & More”

  1. Love Iris Johansen Books! I have read 4 in about two weeks and looking forward to another! I am completely hooked!

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  2. I have read 3 books written by Iris Johnson and was hooked!! I decided to start the beginning of the Eve Duncan series. Total page turners!!! I can’t wait to get the entire collection of ALL books , have 18, need 12 more. Then I’ll be searching for for the next few series. Iris is an incredible author and I’m so happy to have found her stories!!

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