Robert Bryndza is a British crime and romantic fiction author best known for the Detective Erika Foster and Kate Marshall series. He also wrote the earlier Coco Pinchard romantic comedies and several standalone novels.
Reading order matters within each crime series because character history, professional consequences, and recurring relationships develop progressively. The two crime series are separate continuities.
Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This article may contain affiliate links. If you click one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Quick Answer: Where Should You Start?
- Best overall starting point: The Girl in the Ice (Erika Foster #1)
- Prefer a private investigator angle: Nine Elms (Kate Marshall #1)
- Want a standalone thriller: Fear the Silence
- Looking for romantic comedy: The Not So Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard
Detective Erika Foster Series (Publication Order)
Police procedural series set primarily in London.
Read strictly in order to avoid character and relationship spoilers.
- The Girl in the Ice (2016): A high-profile murder introduces Erika Foster and establishes the emotional and professional foundation of the series.
- The Night Stalker (2016): A serial predator investigation intensifies Erika’s reputation and tests her leadership under pressure.
- Dark Water (2016): A body found in a reservoir exposes buried secrets and expands the scope of Erika’s team dynamics.
- Last Breath (2017): A tense kidnapping case places time pressure at the center of the narrative.
- Cold Blood (2017): A sniper-style killer forces Erika into a complex and politically sensitive investigation.
- Deadly Secrets (2018): A murder among high society reveals long-hidden connections with dangerous consequences.
- Fatal Witness (2022): A case hinging on testimony and memory raises questions about truth and manipulation.
- Lethal Vengeance (2024): A revenge-driven plotline links past violence with present escalation.
- Chasing Shadows (2025): A layered investigation revisits themes of obsession and unfinished business within Erika’s orbit.
Order rule: Publication order is the correct reading order. Each novel contains a full case, but personal arcs carry forward.
Kate Marshall Series (Publication Order)
Private investigator crime series featuring Kate Marshall and her research partner Tristan Harper.
Separate continuity from Erika Foster.
- Nine Elms (2019): A former detective returns to investigative work when a copycat killer revives a traumatic case from her past.
- Shadow Sands (2020): A drowning at a seaside town unfolds into a deeper, more disturbing mystery.
- Darkness Falls (2021): A missing-person investigation exposes community secrets and emotional history.
- Devil’s Way (2023): A disappearance on a remote walking trail becomes a psychologically layered case.
- The Lost Victim (2024): A cold case gains renewed urgency when new evidence challenges established assumptions.
Order rule: Read #1-#5 in order for full emotional context and partnership development.
Coco Pinchard Series (Publication Order)
Romantic comedy series.
Separate genre and continuity from the crime novels.
Main Trilogy
- The Not So Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard (2012): Coco rebuilds her life after betrayal in a comedic, diary-style format.
- Coco Pinchard’s Big Fat Tipsy Wedding (2013): Wedding planning chaos collides with family drama and second chances.
- Coco Pinchard: The Consequences of Love and Sex (2014): Married life introduces fresh complications and personal growth.
Optional Companion Titles
- A Very Coco Christmas (2013): A holiday novella best read after Book 1 or 2.
- Coco Pinchard’s Must-Have Toy Story (2017): A shorter seasonal installment expanding Coco’s world.
These books should be read in publication order for full continuity.
Standalone and Early Novels
Separate from both major crime series.
- Bitch Hollywood (2012): A satirical novel set in the entertainment world.
- Lost in Crazytown (2013): A darkly comic story centered on love and instability in London.
- Miss Wrong and Mr Right (2015): A romantic comedy exploring opposites-attract dynamics.
- Fear the Silence (2023): A domestic thriller involving buried family secrets and escalating danger.
These can be read in any order.
Recommended Reading Path (No-Regret Option)
If you want the clearest, spoiler-safe experience:
- Start with The Girl in the Ice.
- Read all Erika Foster novels in order.
- Move to Nine Elms and read the Kate Marshall series in order.
- Insert Fear the Silence anytime between series as a standalone break.
- Save Coco Pinchard for when you want a genre shift.
Chronological Order
For both crime series, chronological order aligns with publication order. There is no benefit to rearranging them.
Latest Release Status (as of February 2026)
- Most recent Erika Foster novel: Chasing Shadows (2025)
- Most recent Kate Marshall novel: The Lost Victim (2024)
- No officially confirmed upcoming installments have been announced beyond these titles at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Erika Foster and Kate Marshall cross over?
No. They are separate story worlds.
Can I start with the newest book?
You can, but earlier books will be spoiled in terms of character progression. Starting at Book 1 is strongly recommended.
Is Fear the Silence part of a series?
No. It is a standalone thriller.
Final Recommendation
For most readers, begin with The Girl in the Ice and follow the Erika Foster series in order. It provides the clearest introduction to Robert Bryndza’s crime fiction and the most developed long-running arc.
Frank is the editor of BookSeries.blog, focusing on publication order, chronological timelines, and spoiler-free reading guides for book series and fictional universes.