The Nora Kelly series is a spin-off of Preston and Child’s Agent Pendergast series, although Nora first appeared in her own standalone novel, Thunderhead, followed by several appearances in the Agent Pendergast series.

Nora is an archaeologist and curator at the Santa Fe Institute of Archaeology. She is resourceful, courageous, and sharp-witted. Strong-willed and independent, Nora often embarks on dangerous adventures in her quest for knowledge and pursuit of historical artifacts. Working alongside her is rookie FBI Agent Corrie Swanson, who has also appeared multiple times in the Agent Pendergast series. Corrie has a troubled past, but her friendship with and mentorship under Aloysius Pendergast has made her knowledgeable in forensics and passionate about pursuing justice.

Readers enjoy the series’ blend of archaeology, history, murder, and suspense. The thrillers are somewhat lighter in tone than the Agent Pendergast series but still deliver plenty of action and adventure. Both Nora and Corrie are younger when they first appear in the Pendergast series and grow more experienced as the Nora Kelly series progresses.

Nora first appeared in Thunderhead (Book 0.5), published in 1999, long before her series began in 2019. Her next appearance is in The Cabinet of Curiosities (Book 3 of the Agent Pendergast series). It is recommended to read Thunderhead before starting the Nora Kelly series, and prior to The Cabinet of Curiosities, though it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

Fans of both series suggest reading at least the first few Pendergast books to be introduced to Nora and Corrie Swanson before starting the Nora Kelly series. Additionally, readers caution that the Nora Kelly series contains some major spoilers for the Pendergast series.

• Relic (Book 1 of the Agent Pendergast series)
• Reliquary (Book 2 of the Agent Pendergast series and sequel to Relic)
• Thunderhead (Nora Kelly standalone book that predates her series)
• Cabinet of Curiosities (Book 3 of the Agent Pendergast series in which Nora Kelly co-stars with Pendergast)
• Still Live with Crows (Book 4 of the Agent Pendergast series which introduces Corrie Swanson, co-star in the Nora Kelly series)

Nora Kelly also appears in several later books in the Agent Pendergast and there are some very dramatic events that happen to her in Cemetery Dance:

• Dance of Death (Agent Pendergast Book 6)
• The Book of the Dead (Agent Pendergast Book 7)
• Cemetery Dance (Agent Pendergast Book 9)


Corrie Swanson also appears in:


• Cold Vengeance (Agent Pendergast Book 11)
• Two Graves (Agent Pendergast Book 12)
• White Fire (Agent Pendergast Book 13)