Below is the complete list of Jayne Ann Krentz’s Dark Legacy books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Dark Legacy Books
About Dark Legacy
Rare books, mysterious psychic abilities, and dangerous secrets form the foundation of Jayne Ann Krentz’s Dark Legacy series. Combining contemporary romantic suspense with paranormal mystery, the two novels follow members of the Coppersmith family and the women whose extraordinary talents draw them into deadly investigations. The stories explore the consequences of inherited psychic abilities, the dangers of exploiting paranormal power, and the difficulty of trusting others when personal secrets can become dangerous weapons.
The series takes place within the broader paranormal world associated with Krentz’s Arcane Society novels. However, Dark Legacy concentrates on a new set of characters and interconnected mysteries rather than continuing the central investigations of the earlier series. Its emphasis remains on contemporary settings, combining private investigators, unusual scientific interests, and romantic relationships with supernatural threats.
The opening novel, Copper Beach (2012), introduces Abby Radwell, a specialist in rare books whose unusual psychic talent enables her to unlock secrets concealed within ancient manuscripts. Her abilities have made her valuable to collectors interested in documents associated with paranormal phenomena, although her work has occasionally placed her in dangerous situations.
After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby becomes the target of blackmail. At the same time, rumours emerge that an ancient alchemical text known as The Key has resurfaced on the black market.
The manuscript is believed to contain information associated with extraordinary paranormal abilities, attracting the attention of individuals prepared to use violence to obtain it.
Recognising that she cannot safely investigate alone, Abby hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber. Sam’s expertise involves unusual objects known as hot rocks, whose properties are connected to psychic energy.
Their professional relationship begins with considerable suspicion. Abby is accustomed to protecting her independence, while Sam recognises that she may be withholding information essential to her safety.
As they investigate the blackmail threats and the dangerous interest surrounding the ancient manuscript, their attraction gradually complicates their partnership. Both must decide whether they can trust someone whose abilities and personal history remain only partly understood.
The novel introduces the Coppersmith family’s unusual relationship with paranormal research. Their knowledge of psychic phenomena has been developed through generations of experience, giving them access to information that ordinary investigators would struggle to comprehend.
Dream Eyes (2013) shifts attention to Sam’s brother, Judson Coppersmith, whose exceptional psychic abilities have become increasingly difficult to control.
The story begins when Gwen Frazier, a psychic counsellor, returns to the small town of Wilby, Oregon, following the suspicious death of her friend and mentor, Evelyn Ballinger.
Two years earlier, Gwen participated in a research study conducted by Evelyn. The experiment ended tragically when a killer targeted several participants, leaving Gwen traumatised by the experience.
Evelyn’s death convinces Gwen that the earlier violence may not have been fully resolved. Her suspicions deepen as she encounters disturbing circumstances suggesting that someone connected with the original investigation remains dangerous.
Judson arrives in Wilby to assist her, bringing extensive investigative knowledge and unusual psychic talents. However, he is struggling with disturbing dreams and the emotional consequences of his own experiences.
His attraction to Gwen creates an unexpected connection between two people whose abilities have complicated their personal relationships. Gwen possesses an unusual sensitivity to dream-related psychic phenomena, while Judson’s talents make him particularly effective at recognising dangerous paranormal activity.
Their investigation reveals connections between past experiments, concealed motives, and individuals willing to exploit extraordinary abilities. As the danger intensifies, both must confront personal fears that have prevented them from trusting others.
The relationship between the two novels is established primarily through the Coppersmith family and its involvement in paranormal investigation. Sam and Judson possess different abilities and personalities, but their shared background creates continuity between the separate mysteries.
Krentz’s treatment of psychic power is particularly distinctive. Rather than presenting extraordinary abilities as uncomplicated advantages, she explores their psychological consequences. Characters may possess unusual forms of perception, yet these talents can isolate them from others, attract criminal attention, or become difficult to control.
The mysteries also examine the relationship between scientific curiosity and ethical responsibility. Ancient manuscripts, specialised research, and experimental techniques provide opportunities for discovery, but they also attract individuals more interested in power than understanding.
Romance develops through investigative partnerships in which trust becomes essential to survival. Abby and Sam, like Gwen and Judson, must learn to recognise one another’s strengths while confronting the personal vulnerabilities concealed beneath their professional confidence.
The Dark Legacy series consists of two novels, Copper Beach and Dream Eyes, published in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Both have also appeared together in Dark Legacy Series: Books 1–2, an omnibus collecting the original stories.
Although the novels share thematic connections with the Arcane Society universe, they form a distinct contemporary paranormal suspense duology. Each features its own central couple and investigation, while the Coppersmith family’s continuing presence connects the stories.
Through dangerous psychic discoveries, carefully concealed secrets, and emotionally complicated relationships, Krentz creates mysteries in which extraordinary talents offer no guarantee of safety. The series combines supernatural intrigue with the familiar human difficulties of trust, loyalty, and confronting a past that refuses to remain buried.