Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hostile Witness | 2004 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 2 | Silent Witness | 2005 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 3 | Privileged Witness | 2006 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 4 | Expert Witness | 2011 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 5 | Eyewitness | 2013 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 6 | Forgotten Witness | 2014 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 7 | Dark Witness | 2014 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 8 | Hannah’s Diary | 2017 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 9 | Lost Witness | 2019 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
| 10 | The 9th Witness | 2024 | Rebecca Forster | Buy |
The Josie Bates series is Rebecca Forster’s flagship work, running from 2004’s Hostile Witness through The 9th Witness in 2024. Each book puts attorney Josie Baylor-Bates in the middle of a new case that mixes legal procedure with real danger. The “witness” theme in the titles reflects the series’ focus on testimony, evidence, and the people who get caught up in the justice system.
Over ten books, the series has deepened its cast of recurring characters while keeping the individual mysteries self-contained enough for new readers to jump in. The plots range from witness protection cases to cold-case investigations, and Forster keeps the pace tight throughout. Readers who like their legal thrillers with a strong lead character and plenty of courtroom tension will find this series worth the commitment.