Series timeline and setting
Will Trent, the dyslexic forensic special agent created by Karina Grippo, is set in a contemporary timeline that aligns with real-world time. The first published novel, Under the Dark (2018), introduces Will as an experienced Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, and subsequent books track cases and character developments in near real time. Because the series launched in 2018 and new titles appear regularly, the in-story year advances with publication, generally reflecting the period when each book was released.
Publication order and year of each book
The series began in 2018, and each main-series entry corresponds closely to its publication year. The table below lists the official publication dates, which provide a reliable proxy for the in-universe timeline.
| Book | Publication year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under the Dark | 2018 | First Will Trent novel; introduces key characters and investigative style |
| Faithful | 2019 | Second novel; deepens relationships and bureau dynamics |
| Undone | 2020 | Third novel; expands ensemble cast and interagency collaboration |
| Found | 2021 | Fourth novel; further develops procedural elements and backstory |
| Taken | 2022 | Fifth novel; increases tension around personal stakes |
| Shattered | 2023 | Sixth novel; continues evolving case complexity |
| Burned | 2024 | Seventh novel; latest main-series entry as of 2024 |
Relationship to real time
Because the series began in 2018 and releases roughly one main novel per year, the in-story timeline typically mirrors the publication calendar. For example, events in books published in 2023, such as Shattered, are understood to occur closer to 2023, while earlier titles reflect their respective years. Standalone novels like A Very Mental Murder and holiday novellas are generally set within the same ongoing timeframe but are not always tied to a strict year. Readers can infer the series year by matching a book’s publication date to its narrative events.
Key characters and their timeline roles
Will Trent, a dedicated Georgia Bureau of Investigation special agent with severe dyslexia, serves as the consistent anchor across cases. His partner, Michael Ormewood, and former adversary-turned-ally, Sara James, appear throughout the series, maintaining long-term personal and professional arcs that unfold gradually. These evolving relationships support a timeline that feels continuous, even though each book is primarily a self-contained procedural. The series places emphasis on procedural consistency and character growth over rapid aging or large time jumps.
No large time jumps or reboots
The Will Trent series does not reboot or reset between books. Instead, it progresses linearly, with ongoing subplots, character developments, and institutional changes carrying over from one case to the next. This continuity allows readers to follow long-term arcs without needing to reconcile conflicting timelines. As a result, the series remains anchored to a contemporary setting that updates in step with its release schedule.
How readers can determine the series year
- Match publication year to in-story year, as the series releases approximately annually.
- Note that holiday novellas and companion stories are set within the same broad timeframe but may not correspond to a specific year.
- Consult author announcements for notes on timeline shifts, though major resets are not a feature of the series.
Why the setting stays current
The Will Trent series benefits from an evergreen appeal by staying close to the present day. Technology, investigative methods, and cultural details reflect the period of each book’s release, which helps maintain realism for readers. This alignment with real-time publication also means that the series is continuously updated rather than fixed to a single historical year, providing a living backdrop for Will Trent’s cases.