Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, we recommend reading the Awake in the Dark series in its original publication order. The narrative follows a tight chronological progression tracing Jeff Grobnagger's journey from a confused slacker plagued by seizure-induced nightmares to someone who must confront the shadowy forces of the supernatural.
- Fade to Black (2014)
- Bled White (2014)
- Red on the Inside (2015)
- Back in Black (2015)
- Beyond the Blue (2016)
About the Awake in the Dark Series
Written by the Kalamazoo-based writing duo L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain, this series blends psychological horror, paranormal thriller elements, and sharp, sarcastic humor. The story centers on Jeff, a 27-year-old suffering from severe epilepsy. During his seizures, Jeff is pulled into realistic visions of his own murder by a mysterious hooded figure. As the series progresses, these dreamscapes bleed into reality, leading him to uncover a conspiracy involving a cult-like group called the League of Light, astral projection, and dangerous otherworldly forces.
Spin-offs and Co-authored Works
While Awake in the Dark is a self-contained five-book series, Vargus and McBain have collaborated on several other thriller and mystery series. If you enjoy their writing style, you should check out their bestselling Violet Darger FBI profiler series (starting with Dead End Girl) or their post-apocalyptic thriller series The Scattered and the Dead.