Order of Book Series
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Rita Herron Books in Order

Rita Herron has written 116 books, published between 1971 and 2026. The first book is Child's Play (1971) and the newest is Midnight Ridge (2026). Publication order is the reading order below.

Books
116
Published
1971–2026
Confirmed
17 of 116 titles
Pages on record
21,368 in 81 of 116 books
Reading time
356–534 hours

Reading time is an estimate, not a recorded figure: 21,368 pages at 300 words a page, read at 200–300 words a minute, covering the 81 of 116 titles with a page count on record.

See all 116 books in order Printable Rita Herron checklist

Rita Herron writes romantic suspense, with subjects that include serial murders, police, twins, missing children and ranchers. Series include Detective Ellie Reeves, Nighthawk Island, Slaughter Creek, Cold Case, Badge Of Justice, Heroes Of Horseshoe Creek, Bucking Bronc Lodge, Demonborn and Manhunt. Fiction titles include Thief of Hearts (1997), Send Me a Hero (1998), Her Eyewitness (1999) and Forgotten Lullaby (2000). Midnight Ridge (2026) is the newest title.

One of Rita Herron's series, The Keepers, follows a team of investigators who uncover secrets and conspiracies while facing both physical danger and personal challenges.

How many Rita Herron books are there?

Rita Herron has 116 books, released between 1971 and 2026. They include 19 series and 15 titles listed outside any series.

Rita Herron Books in Publication Order

The table lists all 116 Rita Herron books in the order they were published, with the release year, the page count where one is on record, and how many independent book listings confirm each title. Catalogue data as of September 2026.

  1. Cover of Child's Play by Rita Herron (1971)
  2. Cover of Surviving Summers with Kids: Funfilled Activities for All by Rita Herron (1993)
  3. Cover of Take Charge Now! by Rita Herron (1994)
  4. Cover of Thief of Hearts by Rita Herron (1997)
  5. Cover of Husband Hunting 101 by Rita Herron (1998)
  6. Cover of Send Me a Hero by Rita Herron, book 46 of the Men: Made in America series (1998)
  7. Cover of Her Eyewitness by Rita Herron (1999)
  8. Cover of Marry Me, Maddie by Rita Herron, book 1 of the Bachelor Pact series (2001)
  9. Cover of Have Husband, Need Honeymoon by Rita Herron, book 2 of the Hartwell Hope Chests series (2001)
  10. Cover of Saving His Son by Rita Herron, book 4 of the Top Secret Babies series (2001)
  11. Cover of Have Baby, Need Beau by Rita Herron, book 5 of the Walk Down the Aisle series (2001)
  12. Cover of Have Gown, Need Groom by Rita Herron, book 34 of the Men In Uniform series (2001)
  13. Cover of Silent Surrender by Rita Herron, book 1 of the Nighthawk Island series (2002)
  14. Cover of Under the Covers by Rita Herron (2002)
  15. Cover of Memories of Megan by Rita Herron, book 29 of the Safe Haven series (2002)
  16. Cover of Sleepless in Savannah by Rita Herron, book 2 of the Bachelor Pact series (2003)
  17. Cover of The Cradle Mission by Rita Herron, book 3 of the Nighthawk Island series (2003)
  18. Cover of Have Bouquet, Need Boyfriend by Rita Herron, book 4 of the Hartwell Hope Chests series (2003)
  19. Cover of A Warrior's Mission by Rita Herron, book 5 of the Colorado Confidential series (2003)
  20. Cover of Have Cowboy, Need Cupid by Rita Herron, book 5 of the Hartwell Hope Chests series (2003)
  21. Cover of The Man from Falcon Ridge by Rita Herron, book 3 of the Eclipse series (2004)
  22. Cover of Undercover Avenger by Rita Herron, book 4 of the Nighthawk Island series (2004)
  23. Cover of Midnight Disclosures by Rita Herron, book 5 of the Nighthawk Island series (2004)
  24. Cover of Mysterious Circumstances by Rita Herron, book 6 of the Nighthawk Island series (2005)
  1. 1
    Child's Play1971 · 386 pages · confirmed 2/4
    1971386
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  2. 2
    Surviving Summers with Kids: Funfilled Activities for All1993 · 183 pages · confirmed 2/4
    1993183
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  3. 3
    Take Charge Now!1994 · 195 pages · confirmed 2/4
    1994195
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  4. 4
    Thief of Hearts1997 · 159 pages · confirmed 2/4
    1997159
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  5. 5
    Husband Hunting 1011998 · 175 pages · confirmed 2/4
    1998175
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  6. 6
    Send Me a HeroMen: Made in America #461998 · 256 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1998256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  7. 7
    Here Comes the BrideBrides & Grooms #11999 · 186 pages · confirmed 2/4
    1999186
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  8. 8
    Mirror, Mirror1999 · 175 pages · confirmed 2/4
    1999175
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  9. 9
    Her Eyewitness1999 · 256 pages · confirmed 2/4
    1999256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  10. 10
    Forgotten LullabyMemory Away #72000 · confirmed 2/4
    2000–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  11. 11
    Marry Me, MaddieBachelor Pact #12001 · 363 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2001363
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  12. 12
    Have Husband, Need HoneymoonHartwell Hope Chests #22001 · 256 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2001256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  13. 13
    Saving His SonTop Secret Babies #42001 · 256 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2001256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  14. 14
    Have Baby, Need BeauWalk Down the Aisle #52001 · 256 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2001256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  15. 15
    Have Gown, Need GroomMen In Uniform #342001 · 256 pages · confirmed 3/4
    2001256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  16. 16
    Silent SurrenderNighthawk Island #12002 · 251 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2002251
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  17. 17
    The Rancher Wore SuitsTrading Places #12002 · confirmed 2/4
    2002–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  18. 18
    Under the Covers2002 · 354 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2002354
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  19. 19
    Memories of MeganSafe Haven #292002 · 256 pages · confirmed 3/4
    2002256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  20. 20
    Sleepless in SavannahBachelor Pact #22003 · 353 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2003353
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  21. 21
    The Cradle MissionNighthawk Island #32003 · 248 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2003248
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  22. 22
    Have Bouquet, Need BoyfriendHartwell Hope Chests #42003 · 251 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2003251
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  23. 23
    A Warrior's MissionColorado Confidential #52003 · 249 pages · confirmed 3/4
    2003249
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  24. 24
    Have Cowboy, Need CupidHartwell Hope Chests #52003 · 251 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2003251
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  25. 25
    The Man from Falcon RidgeEclipse #32004 · 249 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2004249
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  26. 26
    Undercover AvengerNighthawk Island #42004 · 250 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2004250
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  27. 27
    Midnight DisclosuresNighthawk Island #52004 · 250 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2004250
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  28. 28
    Mysterious CircumstancesNighthawk Island #62005 · 250 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2005250
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  29. 29
    A Breath Away2005 · 376 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2005376
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  30. 30
    Vows of VengeanceNighthawk Island #72006 · 249 pages · confirmed 2/4
    2006249
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK

Rita Herron books grouped by series

Each title below is a row in the publication-order table above. None of these groups has a reading-order page of its own on this site.

Detective Ellie Reeves in order

12 books
  1. 1. The Silent Dolls
  2. 2. Wildflower Graves
  3. 3. The Burning Girls
  4. 4. Frozen Souls
  5. 5. Stolen Angels
  6. 6. Hidden Bones
  7. 7. The Girl in the River
  8. 8. Widow Lake
  9. 9. The Sleeping Girls
  10. 10. The Ice Sisters
  11. 11. The Graveyard Girls
  12. 12. Midnight Ridge

Nighthawk Island in order

10 books
  1. 1. Silent Surrender
  2. 3. The Cradle Mission
  3. 4. Undercover Avenger
  4. 5. Midnight Disclosures
  5. 6. Mysterious Circumstances
  6. 7. Vows of Vengeance
  7. 8. Look-Alike
  8. 9. Up in Flames
  9. 10. Under His Skin
  10. 11. In the Flesh

Bucking Bronc Lodge in order

6 books
  1. 1. Certified Cowboy
  2. 2. Cowboy in the Extreme
  3. 3. Cowboy to the Max
  4. 4. Cowboy Cop
  5. 5. Native Cowboy
  6. 6. Ultimate Cowboy

Heroes Of Horseshoe Creek in order

6 books
  1. 1. Lock, Stock and McCullen
  2. 2. McCullen's Secret Son
  3. 3. Roping Ray McCullen
  4. 4. Warrior Son
  5. 5. The Missing McCullen
  6. 6. The Last McCullen

Slaughter Creek in order

5 books
  1. 1. Before She Dies
  2. 2. Dying to Tell
  3. 3. Her Dying Breath
  4. 4. Worth Dying For
  5. 5. Dying for Love

Cold Case in order

4 books
  1. 1. Cold Case at Camden Crossing
  2. 2. Cold Case at Carlton's Canyon
  3. 3. Cold Case at Cobra Creek
  4. 4. Cold Case in Cherokee Crossing

Badge Of Justice in order

4 books
  1. 1. Redemption at Hawk's Landing
  2. 2. Safe at Hawk's Landing
  3. 3. Hideaway at Hawk's Landing
  4. 4. Hostage at Hawk's Landing

Keepers in order

4 books
  1. 1. Pretty Little Killers
  2. 2. Good Little Girls
  3. 3. Little White Lies
  4. 4. Dead Little Darlings

Badge Of Honor Mysteries in order

4 books
  1. 1. Mysterious Abduction
  2. 2. Left to Die
  3. 3. Protective Order
  4. 4. Suspicious Circumstances

Bachelor Pact in order

3 books
  1. 1. Marry Me, Maddie
  2. 2. Sleepless in Savannah
  3. 3. Love Me Lucy

Demonborn in order

3 books
  1. 1. Insatiable Desire / Heartless
  2. 2. Dark Hunger / Mindless
  3. 3. Forbidden Passion / Soulless

Guardian Angel Investigations in order

3 books
  1. 1. Silent Night Sanctuary
  2. 2. His Secret Christmas Baby
  3. 3. Unbreakable Bond

Manhunt in order

3 books
  1. 1. Safe in His Arms
  2. 2. Safe by His Side
  3. 3. Safe with Him

Graveyard Falls in order

3 books
  1. 1. All the Beautiful Brides
  2. 2. All the Pretty Faces
  3. 3. All the Dead Girls

Hartwell Hope Chests in order

3 books
  1. 2. Have Husband, Need Honeymoon
  2. 4. Have Bouquet, Need Boyfriend
  3. 5. Have Cowboy, Need Cupid

Eclipse in order

3 books
  1. 3. The Man from Falcon Ridge
  2. 15. Return to Falcon Ridge
  3. 18. Force of the Falcon

Brides & Grooms in order

2 books
  1. 1. Here Comes the Bride
  2. 2. There Goes the Groom

Guardian Angel Investigations: Lost & Found in order

2 books
  1. 1. The Missing Twin
  2. 2. Her Stolen Son

Seven Nights in order

2 books
  1. 1. Bed of Roses
  2. 2. One Night to Kill

Badge Of Courage in order

2 books
  1. 1. The Secret She Kept
  2. 2. The Body in the Wall

Trading Places in order

1 book
  1. 1. The Rancher Wore Suits

Seeing Double in order

1 book
  1. 1. Peek-A-Boo Protector

Diamonds & Daddies in order

1 book
  1. 1. Platinum Cowboy

Cowboys Royale in order

1 book
  1. 1. Brandishing a Crown

Welcome To Matrimony in order

1 book
  1. 1. Going to the Chapel

Silver Star Of Texas: Cantara Hills Investigation in order

1 book
  1. 2. Beneath The Badge

Silver Star Of Texas in order

1 book
  1. 3. Justice for a Ranger

Silver Star Of Texas: Comanche Creek in order

1 book
  1. 3. Rawhide Ranger

Top Secret Babies in order

1 book
  1. 4. Saving His Son

Lights Out in order

1 book
  1. 4. Anything for His Son

Kenner County Crime Unit in order

1 book
  1. 4. Collecting Evidence

Walk Down the Aisle in order

1 book
  1. 5. Have Baby, Need Beau

Colorado Confidential in order

1 book
  1. 5. A Warrior's Mission

Memory Away in order

1 book
  1. 7. Forgotten Lullaby

Safe Haven in order

1 book
  1. 29. Memories of Megan

Men In Uniform in order

1 book
  1. 34. Have Gown, Need Groom

Men: Made in America in order

1 book
  1. 46. Send Me a Hero

Standalone books

15 books

15 Rita Herron titles here are not listed as part of any series.

Do you have to read Rita Herron books in order?

You only need to read Rita Herron books in order within each series: the books listed here span 19 separate series, and each series has its own publication order.

Where to start with Rita Herron

Start with Child's Play (1971), the earliest published title.

What is the newest Rita Herron book?

Midnight Ridge (2026) is the newest Rita Herron book released so far.

Is there a new Rita Herron book coming?

No next Rita Herron book is announced in the catalogue, which is a gap in the listings it merges rather than a sign that the run has ended.

Rita Herron at a glance

Still publishing
Rita Herron published a book as recently as 2026.
Release pace
Rita Herron books have appeared more than one a year on average.
Length
21,368 pages across the 81 of 116 books with a recorded length, a median of 256 pages each.
Busiest decade
Most Rita Herron books, 48 of 116, were published in the 2010s.

What the Rita Herron books are about

79 of the 116 Rita Herron books carry subject tags in Open Library's catalogue. The subjects below are the ones that recur across them, most frequent first: romantic suspense is tagged on 33 of 79. The subjects are cataloguers’ headings, not a plot summary.

Other Action / Thriller authors

Each link below opens a reading-order page with every book in publication order.