BookPath
Home/Authors/James Patterson/Confessions Series

Confessions Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby James Patterson
4 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Confessions Series by James Patterson with "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Follows Tandoori 'Tandie' Angel, a teenage girl whose parents were murdered, as she investigates dark secrets.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 4 main titles released between 2012 and 2013. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

Is this helpful?
Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

Begin Reading Path →
Audible VersionBest for commuting

Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The discussion revolves around two interconnected duologies. The first duet (which includes the monastery life, Gildas's betrayal, and characters like Valen, the Abbot, and Victor) starts with *Flesh and Spirit* and concludes with *Breath and Bone*. The second duet (often referred to as the 'companion duology' or by its titles *Dust and Light* and *Ash and Sliver*) focuses on characters like Bastien and Damon and provides parallel events or backstory, linking heavily back to the first set. The implied reading order follows the discussion flow, starting with the duet containing *Flesh and Spirit*."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with *Flesh and Spirit*. Read its sequel, *Breath and Bone*, next. The second duology, *Dust and Light* and *Ash and Sliver*, should follow, as it helps connect and frame the events of the first duet, offering different perspectives and filling in details.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Confessions Series 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.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Confessions Series. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Confessions Series" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect"Explore all by James Patterson

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

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

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order4 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Confessions Of A Murder Suspect

Pub: 2012★ 4

Tandy Angel is, along with her brothers, a suspect in their parents' murder but having grown up under Malcolm and Maud Angel's perfectionist demands, Tandy decides she must clear the family name no matter what.

2

Confessions

Pub: 2013★ 5

Plot details hidden until you finish "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect".

In the sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Confessions of a Murder Suspect, James Patterson keeps the confessions coming breathlessly as Tandy Angel delves deeper into her own dark history. Wealthy young women are being murdered on Manhattan's exclusive Upper West Side, and the police aren't looking for answers in the right places. Enter Tandy Angel. The first case she cracked was the mystery of her parents' deaths. Now, while she's working to exonerate her brother of his glamorous girlfriend's homicide, she's driven to get involved in the West Side murder spree. One of the recent victims was a student at Tandy's own elite school. She has a hunch it may be the work of a serial killer, but the NYPD isn't listening to her . . . and Tandy can't ignore the disturbing fact that she perfectly fits the profile of the killer's targets. Can she untangle the mysteries in time? Or will she be the next victim?!--EndFragment--

3

Expelled

Pub: 2017

Plot details hidden until you finish "Confessions".

Expelled over The Photo that was posted to his Twitter account, Will Foster, seventeen, is determined to find out who took the picture and why he and three other students were targeted.

4

The Private School Murders

Pub: 2013★ 5

Plot details hidden until you finish "Expelled".

In the sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Confessions of a Murder Suspect, James Patterson keeps the confessions coming breathlessly as Tandy Angel delves deeper into her own tumultuous history-and proves that she can rise above the sordid Angel legacy. Wealthy young women are being murdered on Manhattan's exclusive Upper West Side, and the police aren't looking for answers in the right places. Enter Tandy Angel. The first case she cracked was the mystery of her parents' deaths. Now, while she's working to exonerate her brother of his glamorous girlfriend's homicide, she's driven to get involved in the West Side murder spree. One of the recent victims was a student at Tandy's own elite school. She has a hunch it may be the work of a serial killer, but the NYPD isn't listening to her...and Tandy can't ignore the disturbing fact that she perfectly fits the profile of the killer's targets. Can she untangle the mysteries in time? Or will she be the next victim?

Prefer Listening?

Best if you commute

Get the professional narration of "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect" free with an Audible trial.

Try Audible →

Own the Physical Copy

Best value option

Add "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect" to your library. Curated links ensure you get the correct edition.

View on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Confessions Series series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Confessions Series?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as James Patterson intended.

Can I read Confessions Series books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Confessions Series universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.