BookPath
Cold Springs
Rick Riordan

Cold Springs

Quick Answer

Read "Cold Springs" as the 3rd book in the Anthology Contributions sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "The Cursed Carnival And Other Calamities" (Book 2)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 3rd installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2004416 ppWikidataSource
The Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony award-winning Rick Riordan delivers a spellbinding novel of a man on an edge so extreme that his fall will destroy not only him--but all that he holds dear.Cold SpringsChadwick's life was balanced on a knife's edge--his career, his marriage, his relationship with his dangerously troubled daughter. And then one autumn night, the worst possible thing happened....Now, a decade later, Chadwick's heart is on the mend. Working for an old military buddy, he saves kids for a living, escorting troubled teens to a Texas wilderness school that specializes in the toughest brand of love.Until he gets a phone call that threatens to shatter his new life.Mallory Zedman is taking the same terrible path Chadwick's own daughter once took. Defiant and out of control, Mallory is determined to destroy herself and anyone who tries to stop her. No sooner does Chadwick snatch her off the streets than he discovers she is wanted for questioning in a brutal murder--a slaying that seems directly linked to Chadwick's past.To save Mallory, tough love will not be enough. Chadwick must find the truth behind the murder--and in doing so revisit the infidelities, shattered promises, and violent passions that cracked his world apart. And he must jeopardize the one thing he still has left to lose--a slim hope of redemption.From the Hardcover edition.
Next Recommended Book

The Court Of The Dead

Book #4 of 4 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Anthology Contributions conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Cold Springs?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Cold Springs before The Cursed Carnival And Other Calamities?

No. We recommend reading The Cursed Carnival And Other Calamities first. Cold Springs is the 3th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Cold Springs required reading for the Anthology Contributions?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Cold Springs in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Cold Springs is The Court Of The Dead (Book #4).