Detective Amanda Steele Series
Gritty. Raw. Unapologetic.
Immersive crime fiction for fans who love their mysteries set in a small town and hard-boiled to perfection. From the murder scene to the morgue, interrogation of suspects and following down leads, you’ll feel like you’re part of the investigation. Realistic and complex characters, accurate police procedures and forensics paired with tight, serious writing make these books read more like true crime than fiction. Meet Homicide Detective Amanda Steele with the Prince William County Police Department in Woodbridge, Virginia. She’s smart, motivated, and real. Her tragic past has her claiming to be no one’s mentor, but she’s more hero than she thinks.
It’s always recommended that you start a series from the beginning, but you could read the books on their own or out of order. Installments include: The Little Grave, Stolen Daughters, The Silent Witness, Black Orchid Girls, Her Frozen Cry, Last Seen Alive, Her Final Breath, Taken Girls, Her Last Words, Missing Before Daylight, The Wildfire Girl, Her Deadly Rose, and Hidden Angels.
Profanity: Mild with the odd slip to moderate
Graphic Violence: Mild to moderate
Food and drink pairing: A barbecued steak, cooked tender and juicy, with a whiskey or a black coffee.
Genre of music or songs you might find on Amanda’s playlist or that suit her: “One Night Standards” by Ashley McBryde
These books are perfect for fans of:
Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan, and Robert Dugoni.
Bosch, Chicago PD, Blue Bloods, Justified, and Law & Order.
The Books in the Detective Amanda Steele Series
It’s been five years since Detective Amanda Steele tragically lost her family. When the man responsible is found murdered in a motel room, she can’t keep away from the case. Book 1 in the series.
Firefighters discover the body of a teenage girl at an abandoned house, but it’s not long before Detective Amanda Steele concludes the killing is just getting started. Book 2 in the series.
In this totally gripping and addictive crime thriller, Detective Amanda Steele investigates a double homicide that’s also put a little girl’s life in danger. Book 3 in the series.
Can Detective Amanda Steele stop a cold-hearted killer who seems to be targeting college girls in this completely nail-biting and gripping crime thriller? Book 4 in the series.
When beautiful wife and mother Alicia Gordon is found dead in a remote woodland cabin, Detective Amanda Steele is shocked to discover that she knows the husband. She wants to trust his grief is real, but the more she digs into his marriage, the more it seems that he had opportunity, and motive… Book 5 in the series.
When Detective Amanda Steele unexpectedly reconnects with an old boyfriend, the last thing she expects to see lying on his bed is the dead body of his wife, Claire, who walked out on him four years ago. Book 6 in the series.
The bodies of a mother and daughter are found in a local park, but when two more go missing, every second counts as Detective Amanda Steele races to save them. Book 7 in the series.
A teenage girl goes missing but is soon discovered brutally murdered, poised dramatically at the prom venue. Detective Amanda Steele is on the case when her beloved niece is taken. Can she crack the secrets of this killer’s deadly game before it’s too late? Book 8 in the series.
When Detective Amanda Steele is called to the gruesome murder scene of successful local author Felicity Kelley, her blood runs cold. Evidence suggests someone is imitating the serial killer from Felicity’s bestselling crime novel. Book 9 in the series.
Time is fast running out for Detective Amanda Steele to find her former colleague, Katherine Graves, who was abducted from the scene of a violent murder. Book 10 in the series.
Detective Amanda Steele is pulled into a murder investigation that is quite personal for her partner when his aunt becomes the prime suspect. Book 11 in the series.
When the body of a champion figure skater is discovered, surrounded by a sea of crimson roses, and a note that reads “You’ll be sorry”, Detective Amanda Steele is thrust into a chilling investigation. Book 12 in the series.
When the body of girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. What follows is a chilling and complex investigation that goes back decades. Book 13 in the series.
Praise for Detective Amanda Steele Series
“This series keeps getting better with each book. You feel as if you are right there with the detectives following the clues and surprises that turn up.”
“Detective Amanda Steele being my favorite female lead… has amazing determination.”
“Detective Steele is a strong female protagonist with a deep sense of justice and protector of the underdog. I love her character. She will go the extra mile to help others out. I also love the character of Detective Stenson. He is a hero of epic proportions.”
Amanda Steele lost it all one night when a drink killed her husband and daughter… I like Amanda. She’s gritty, sarcastic, and raw.
Amanda is a character that evokes sympathy and respect. I can’t wait to read what happens next for her.
“I cannot praise these books enough, every one so far has lived up to my expectation and I can honestly say that I count this series as one of my favorites of all time. Keep them coming please!”
“This series just gets better and better. The detectives have real feelings, and truly think outside the box to help the victims.”
The way Amanda is written, you feel her pain. You feel her loss. Her rage. All of the characters have been so carefully written, and their stories have all been told in such a way that you feel you know them.
[Amanda is] sarcastic and raw, and just seemed [more] like a real person than a character in a story.
“Love Carolyn Arnold and Detective Amanda Steele. These books never disappoint, love the relationship between Amanda and Trent.”
“This is one of my absolute favorite detective series and this one definitely didn’t disappoint!… I really have grown to love Amanda, and she continues to have personal growth in each book.”
Amanda is faced with more obstacles than any one person should face. But she’s a determined woman, and history has shown that women like that don’t let anything stand in their way.
Amanda Steele is one heck of a detective, and I cannot wait to see where Arnold takes her!