C.J. Tudor Books in Order (Updated February 19, 2026)

C.J. Tudor (Caroline Tudor) writes standalone horror-thrillers with recurring themes (small towns, secrets, childhood fallout), but no continuing series timeline. That means you won’t spoil yourself by jumping around, your best “order” is whichever premise fits your mood.

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If you like this… start here (the “matchmaker” top section)

• Stranger Things / childhood friends + sinister small-town mystery: The Chalk Man
• “A child came back… but something is wrong” dread: The Taking of Annie Thorne (UK title: The Hiding Place)
• Creepy folk-horror and a community with teeth: The Burning Girls
• Fast, survival-forward, end-of-the-world pressure: The Drift
• Remote place, harsh weather, and a town that feels off: The Gathering
• Want to read the newest next: The Gathering (latest published as of this update)

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The simple rule

All novels are standalones.
If you enjoy watching an author evolve, read in publication order below.

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Novels in publication order (one line per book)

1. The Chalk Man (2018): A grown man is dragged back to the coded games of his childhood when new deaths echo an old secret.
2. The Taking of Annie Thorne (2019) (UK: The Hiding Place): A missing-girl mystery that turns darker when the “returned” child doesn’t feel like the child who left.
3. The Other People (2020): A grieving father clings to the belief his daughter is alive, even when every official answer says she isn’t.
4. The Burning Girls (2021): A vicar and her daughter arrive in a village with martyrs, missing girls, and a history that keeps repeating.
5. The Drift (2023): Three stranded groups fight to survive a collapsing world while the real danger may be inside the “safe” places.
6. The Gathering (2024): In an isolated Alaskan town, a brutal death pulls a detective into superstition, secrecy, and a community that closes ranks.

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Short fiction (optional, not required)

• A Sliver of Darkness (2022): A collection of dark stories that works best once you’ve tried at least one novel and know you like her tone.

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Upcoming / next release

• Serenity Falls (scheduled September 10, 2026): A “perfect town” fresh-start setup where the ideal façade cracks as soon as a body appears.

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FAQs

Do any C.J. Tudor books need to be read in order?
No. They’re designed as separate stories with separate casts.

Why do I see both The Taking of Annie Thorne and The Hiding Place?
Same novel, different title in different markets, treat them as one book.

What’s the best first book if I only plan to read one?
The Chalk Man is the cleanest entry point because it’s representative of her style and doesn’t depend on any other context.

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Conclusion

If you want the safest “start here,” pick The Chalk Man. If you’d rather begin with the most recent published novel, start with The Gathering, and otherwise, choose by premise because the reading order is fully flexible.