Conard County book cover

The Conard County Series in Order

The Conard County series by Rachel Lee can be read in any order, though starting with Exile's End provides the clearest introduction to the setting and recurring characters. Set in a fictional rural Wyoming county, each book pairs a new couple—often involving law enforcement officers, military veterans, or ranchers—facing personal dangers and building a romantic relationship amid small-town life and suspenseful threats.

🟡 Mostly Standalone · Start Anywhere

Conard County Books in Order

77 books
#
Title
Date
Rating
1
Sep 1992
4
May 1993
5
Dec 1993
10
May 1997
13
Sep 1999
15
Oct 2002
16
Nov 2004
19
Apr 2009
24
Feb 2011
26
Jul 2011
27
Sep 2011
31
Mar 2013
34
Oct 2013
37
Mar 2014
63
Sep 2020
65
Jun 2021
71
Feb 2023
72
Jul 2023
74
May 2024
75
Oct 2024

How to Read the Conard County series

🟡 Mostly Standalone · Start Anywhere

Mostly standalone stories with recurring characters in a shared setting.

The Conard County books do not need to be read in order. Each book tells a complete story with its own central couple, romantic arc, and resolved suspense plot. Continuity is limited to recurring characters and the consistent small-town Wyoming setting. Reading out of order does not cause confusion or plot gaps, though familiar readers gain extra enjoyment from recognizing returning community figures like sheriff's deputies or longtime residents.

About the Conard County series

Series Premise

The Conard County series follows romantic suspense stories centered in a tight-knit Wyoming community. Each installment introduces a fresh romance between protagonists dealing with threats such as stalkers, past traumas, or local dangers, while they find safety and connection. The books blend emotional relationships with grounded mystery elements, anchored by the shared backdrop of ranching life, veteran experiences, and community support.

Main Characters

Protagonists rotate with each book and typically include strong, protective figures such as sheriff's deputies, returning military veterans, ranch owners, or civilians connected to local institutions. Common character types feature wounded heroes seeking redemption, resilient heroines facing threats, and supporting roles filled by members of the sheriff's department or established families who provide continuity across the series.

Setting

The series is set in fictional Conard County, Wyoming—a vast rural area with wide-open prairies, mountains, working ranches, and a small town where residents know one another. The rugged Western landscape, harsh weather, and close community ties shape the stories, often mirroring the emotional challenges faced by the characters.

Tone & Themes

The tone blends warm emotional depth with suspenseful tension in a reassuring style. Central themes include healing from trauma, protective instincts in relationships, second chances, and the strength found in small-town support networks. Stories balance tender romance with personal dangers such as vendettas or hidden threats, emphasizing safety, trust, and emotional resolution.

Is This Series Worth Reading?

This series appeals to readers who enjoy romantic suspense with small-town charm and character-driven stories. It suits fans of gentle peril combined with heartfelt relationships, Western settings, and long-running series that reward return visits to a familiar community without strict reading order requirements.

Content Warnings and Heat Level

Content includes moderate suspense with threats of violence, stalking, or past trauma, handled sensitively without extreme graphic detail. Heat level is typical of romantic suspense—intimate scenes are present but not overly explicit, focusing more on emotional connection.

The Conard County series offers a reliable destination for readers seeking consistent romantic suspense in a richly drawn Wyoming setting. Its mostly standalone structure makes it accessible for new readers while providing ongoing familiarity for those who return to the community. Over decades, the books have built a detailed world centered on resilience, love, and small-town bonds.

FAQ

How many books are in the Conard County series?

77 books

When will the next book in the series be released?

No new book in the series is currently scheduled. The latest book, Lethal Homecoming, was published in March 2026.

When was the most recent book released?

Lethal Homecoming was published in March 2026.

What was the first book in the series?

The first book in the series is Exile's End, published in September 1992.

What genre is the Conard County series?

The series primarily falls into the Contemporary Romance genre.

Do you need to read the Conard County series in order?

No, the books do not need to be read in order. Each story stands on its own, but recurring characters and the shared setting connect the series.

What is the Conard County series about?

The Conard County series follows romantic suspense stories centered in a tight-knit Wyoming community. Each installment introduces a fresh romance between protagonists dealing with threats such as stalkers, past traumas, or local dangers, while they find safety and connection. The books blend emotional relationships with grounded mystery elements, anchored by the shared backdrop of ranching life, veteran experiences, and community support.

Is the Conard County series finished?

The series does not currently have a new book scheduled.