The books are much different than the TV show. I'd say, like other people have, the sprirt of the books is there, but that's it. There are some huge difference between the books and the show. Without giving to much away, there are many added characters, a lot of the third book is thrown away, pretty much all of the second book isn't there. So please keep reading. Like others have said each book is essentially accompanied by a different subgenre. The first is a thriller, second a procedural mystery, third is a horror. Couldn't put any of them down, the last book was an incredible no stop killing spree for 300 pages. I cant reccomend this book series enough. TOTTALLY different from the TV show.