P.I. Nia Carter Thriller Books in Order
Part ofDan Padavona Books in OrderThis page lists the P.I. Nia Carter thrillers by Dan Padavona in order, with short summaries, series background, and where to start in the Finger Lakes.
Last updated: January 14, 2026
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).
Publication Order
4 books
The Fallen
by Dan Padavona
2025
Nia](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTGP2WTL%22,%22description%22:%22Nia) Carter investigates what looks like a drowning, but finds a murdered police officer with a secret life. With Eli Mitchell, she follows the links between victims, even as the killer grows bolder and the danger moves closer to home.
The Hidden Season
by Dan Padavona
2024
A](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJJXS4M5%22,%22description%22:%22A) stranger is kidnapped after her car breaks down, and Nia Carter and officer Eli Mitchell find the abandoned vehicle deep in the wilderness. The clues point toward a respected vineyard owner, and someone is watching their every move.
The Crimson Storm
by Dan Padavona
2024
Hollywood](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYMCKKSN%22,%22description%22:%22Hollywood) star Jessica Hart comes to Duskwood to shoot a movie, then a local man is murdered after a public argument. Nia Carter takes the case and has to sort celebrity drama from real evidence before an innocent person pays.
Secrets Never Sleep
by Dan Padavona
2024
Private](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLKBN69R%22,%22description%22:%22Private) investigator Nia Carter left the NYPD after failing to locate a missing child, and now she is starting over in the Finger Lakes with her adopted daughter. When three missing teens are found dead at a vineyard, Nia digs into a wealthy family’s secrets.
Series background & context
The P.I. Nia Carter series is set in the Finger Lakes region of New York, where quiet towns and vineyard views hide a lot of trouble. Nia Carter is a private investigator, and a former NYPD officer who left the city after a missing child case went wrong. She is trying to build a steadier life now, including raising her adopted daughter.
In wine country, everyone has something to hide.
Nia’s cases often begin with a single suspicious death or disappearance, then widen into networks of money, influence, and carefully managed secrets. She works closely with police officer Eli Mitchell, a partner who carries his own complicated past, and their working relationship adds a steady current of tension and trust.
The setting matters here. These stories move through the Finger Lakes and nearby cities, from small communities to places like Auburn, Elmira, and Syracuse, and the contrast between postcard scenery and dark motives is part of the appeal.
If you like investigation-forward thrillers with a lead who is tough, protective, and very human, this series delivers. The books can be read as standalones, but Nia’s personal arc and her connection with Eli develop over time, so reading in order is the best experience. Start with Secrets Never Sleep.
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.
Comments
Did we miss something? Have feedback?
Help us improve this page by sharing your thoughts