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romantic suspense
Series · romantic suspense
Killer Instincts
The Killer Instincts series by Elle Kennedy has 8 known books (8 published) and is best read in publication order, starting with Midnight Rescue (2012).
- Books
- 8 known books (8 novels)
- Published
- 8
- First published
- 2012
- Status
- completed
- Last checked
Start here: Midnight Rescue (2012) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Midnight Rescue
Midnight Rescue is the book that opens Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series, a romantic suspense novel published in 2012. It's the first of nine entries in a series that ran through 2017, continuing here with Midnight Alias.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Midnight Rescue - Book 2:
Midnight Alias
Midnight Alias is the second book in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series, published in 2013. It follows Midnight Rescue and precedes Midnight Games in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Midnight Alias - Book 3:
Midnight Games
Midnight Games is the third entry in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series, published in 2013. It follows Midnight Alias and is succeeded by Midnight Pursuits.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Midnight Games - Book 4:
Midnight Pursuits
Midnight Pursuits is the fourth book in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series, published in 2014 at 358 pages. It follows Midnight Games and is followed by the novella After Midnight.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Midnight Pursuits - Book 5:
Midnight Action
Midnight Action is the fifth novel in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series, published in 2014 at 369 pages. It follows the novella After Midnight and precedes Midnight Captive.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Midnight Action - Book 6:
Midnight Captive
Midnight Captive is the sixth book in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series, published in 2015 at 357 pages. It follows Midnight Action and is followed by Midnight Revenge.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Midnight Captive - Book 7:
Midnight Revenge
Midnight Revenge is the seventh entry in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series, published in 2016 at 374 pages. It follows Midnight Captive and precedes the series' penultimate-to-final volume, Midnight Target.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Midnight Revenge - Book 8:
Midnight Target
Midnight Target closes Elle Kennedy's nine-book Killer Instincts series, a romantic suspense novel published in 2017 at 453 pages. It follows Midnight Revenge as the final entry in a series that ran from 2012.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Midnight Target
About the Killer Instincts series
Killer Instincts is Elle Kennedy's romantic suspense series following the elite mercenaries and operatives of a private security outfit taking on dangerous, off-the-books assignments around the world. Midnight Rescue opens the series as a team member is paired on a high-stakes rescue mission with a woman who complicates every rule he's ever followed. The series continues across Midnight Alias, Midnight Games, and Midnight Pursuits, each following a different operative and a new mission that puts them in the path of a woman who gets under their skin. After Midnight is a novella bridging the fourth and fifth full-length books. Midnight Action, Midnight Captive, Midnight Revenge, and Midnight Target close out the eight-book series, with Midnight Action earning a RITA Award nomination for Best Romantic Suspense.
Each book pairs a new central couple against a fresh, high-danger mission, but the operatives' shared team and world carry across the whole series, rewarding readers who follow it start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in Killer Instincts?
Eight full-length novels plus one novella: Midnight Rescue, Midnight Alias, Midnight Games, Midnight Pursuits, After Midnight (novella), Midnight Action, Midnight Captive, Midnight Revenge, and Midnight Target.
What order should I read Killer Instincts in?
Series order: Midnight Rescue, Midnight Alias, Midnight Games, Midnight Pursuits, After Midnight, Midnight Action, Midnight Captive, Midnight Revenge, Midnight Target.
Do I need to read Killer Instincts in order?
Each book follows a different couple and mission, so it's not essential, but the shared team of operatives and their world are best followed in order.
Was any Killer Instincts book award-nominated?
Yes — Midnight Action was nominated for a RITA Award for Best Romantic Suspense.
Is Killer Instincts connected to Elle Kennedy's other series?
No, it's a standalone romantic suspense series, distinct from her college-set contemporary romances.
If you like the Killer Instincts series
Reading order last verified .