Where Should You Start Reading?
Because the vast majority of the books in the A Riveting Haunted House Mystery series are written as standalones, you do not need to follow a strict sequential order. You can easily start with the book that has the most intriguing premise, setting, or author. However, if you want to experience the series from its true beginnings, we highly recommend starting with the book that kicked it all off: The Haunting of Bechdel Mansion (2016) by Roger Hayden. This book establishes the classic tone of the series, blending local tragedy, historical mystery, and supernatural terror.
Other excellent starting points include Alexandria Clarke's The Haunting of Winchester Mansion or J.S. Donovan's The Haunting of Quenby Mansion, both of which are fan-favorites and showcase the distinct voices of the series' core writers.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Readers generally divide their reading paths into two main approaches:
- Publication Order: This is the order in which DBS Publishing released the titles. Reading this way allows you to see how the collaborative universe expanded over time, moving from early entries in 2016 to over 100 titles by 2025.
- Chronological Order: Fans have compiled chronological timelines based on the internal settings and backstories of the books. While this offers an interesting alternative, the lack of interconnected plotlines means you will not miss any continuity errors if you stick to publication order or simply jump around.
A Shared Universe of Diverse Horror Voices
What makes this series unique is its collaborative authorship model. Published by DBS Publishing, the series features contributions from several prolific supernatural thriller writers, including Roger Hayden, Alexandria Clarke, J.S. Donovan, James Hunt, and Vincent Valentean. Each author brings a unique flavor to their haunted house story—ranging from Hayden's gritty psychological suspense to Clarke's emotionally resonant tales of grief and redemption. Whether you prefer Victorian manors, steamy Louisiana bayous, or remote mountain cabins, there is a haunted house in this collection for every flavor of horror fan.