The Cassie Dewell books must be read in chronological order, which coincides with their publication order, by following this sequence:⁠[7-16]

Order Cover Title First published Notes
1 Book cover of Back of Beyond. Back of Beyond 2011⁠[7] Introduces Cody Hoyt, Justin, Gracie, and the case that leads to Cassie’s entry.
2 Book cover of The Highway. The Highway 2013⁠[8] Brings Cassie forward and leaves a serial-killer threat unresolved.
3 Book cover of Badlands. Badlands 2015⁠[9] Follows Cassie while extending the Lizard King pursuit.
4 Book cover of Paradise Valley. Paradise Valley 2017⁠[10-12] Continues the Lizard King storyline and Kyle’s place in Cassie’s life.
5 Book cover of The Bitterroots. The Bitterroots 2019⁠[13-15] Moves Cassie into private investigation.
6 Book cover of Treasure State. Treasure State 2022⁠[16] Builds on Cassie’s PI work and returns Kyle to the series.
Reading order of the Cassie Dewell books.
Reading order of the Cassie Dewell books.

1. Back of Beyond

Main bookRequired reading
Book cover of Back of Beyond.
Book cover of Back of Beyond.

Back of Beyond (2011)⁠[7] begins with Cody Hoyt investigating the staged death of his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and follows the case into the Yellowstone backcountry, where Cody’s estranged son is part of a wilderness trip.⁠[2]

Although Cassie Dewell is not yet the central character, this novel establishes key characters, relationships, and events that carry into the next book.⁠[2]

2. The Highway

Main bookRequired reading
Book cover of The Highway.
Book cover of The Highway.

The Highway (2013)⁠[8] shifts the series toward Cassie Dewell. This novel begins with Cassie observing Cody Hoyt’s misconduct, then follows the search for the missing Sullivan sisters as Cody goes rogue and Cassie becomes increasingly central to the investigation.⁠[3]

It also introduces the Lizard King as an ongoing threat whose escape shapes the next stage of the series.⁠[3]

3. Badlands

Main bookRequired reading
Book cover of Badlands.
Book cover of Badlands.

Badlands (2015)⁠[9] relocates Cassie to Grimstad, North Dakota, where she becomes Chief Investigator during an oil-boom crime wave. This book combines a local case involving a boy who finds drugs and cash after a crash with Cassie’s continuing attempt to track the Lizard King.⁠[17]

It also introduces Kyle Westergaard, whose connection to Cassie remains important afterward.⁠[17]

4. Paradise Valley

Main bookRequired reading
Book cover of Paradise Valley.
Book cover of Paradise Valley.

Paradise Valley (2017)⁠[10-12] continues Cassie’s pursuit of Ronald Pergram, the Lizard King, after earlier attempts to stop him fail. This novel also brings Kyle Westergaard back into immediate danger, tying Cassie’s personal obligations to the larger serial-killer storyline.⁠[4]

This is the clearest continuation volume in the series and completes a major arc begun in The Highway.⁠[4]

5. The Bitterroots

Main bookRequired reading
Book cover of The Bitterroots.
Book cover of The Bitterroots.

The Bitterroots (2019)⁠[13-15] follows Cassie after the Lizard King arc, now working as a private investigator in Montana. The central case concerns a wealthy ranching family, a criminal accusation, and local corruption, while Cassie’s family life and professional position reflect the consequences of earlier books.⁠[5]

This novel is a case-driven entry but still belongs after the prior books.⁠[5]

6. Treasure State

Main bookRequired reading
Book cover of Treasure State.
Book cover of Treasure State.

Treasure State (2022)⁠[16] continues Cassie’s private-investigation phase, beginning with a missing investigator, a swindler case, and a separate treasure-hunt mystery. Kyle Westergaard returns, linking the book back to Cassie’s North Dakota past and showing how earlier relationships continue to matter.⁠[6]

This novel expands Cassie’s post-law-enforcement role while remaining part of the chronological sequence.⁠[6]

References

  1. Cassie Dewell Novels | Series. Macmillan Publishers.
  2. Back of Beyond. Minotaur Books. ISBN: 9781250783394.
  3. The Highway. Minotaur Books. ISBN: 9781250798022.
  4. Paradise Valley. St. Martin’s Paperbacks. ISBN: 9781250051066.
  5. The Bitterroots. Minotaur Books. ISBN: 9781250051073.
  6. Treasure State. Minotaur Books. ISBN: 9781250896421.
  7. Back of Beyond. Macmillan Publishers.
  8. The Highway. Macmillan Publishers.
  9. Badlands. Macmillan Publishers.
  10. Paradise Valley. Macmillan Publishers.
  11. Paradise Valley: Cassie Dewell C.J. Box Head of Zeus. Bloomsbury Publishing UK.
  12. Paradise Valley: : Cassie Dewell C.J. Box Head of Zeus. Bloomsbury Publishing Australia.
  13. The Bitterroots. Macmillan Publishers. Archived.
  14. The Bitterroots: Cassie Dewell C.J. Box Head of Zeus. Bloomsbury Publishing UK.
  15. The Bitterroots: Cassie Dewell C.J. Box Head of Zeus. Bloomsbury Publishing Australia.
  16. Treasure State. Macmillan Publishers.
  17. Badlands. Minotaur Books. ISBN: 9781250801005.