Benny Imura Books in Order

Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path

For the best reading experience, newcomers should start with the main novels in the order they were published. This lets you experience Benny Imura's growth and the expanding post-apocalyptic world exactly as the author intended. Once you finish the original quartet, you can dive into the short stories and the sequel series.

The Core Benny Imura Quartet

• Rot & Ruin (2010) - Benny Imura is forced to apprentice as a zombie hunter (a "closure specialist") under his older brother, Tom.
• Dust & Decay (2011) - Benny and his friends venture deep into the lawless Rot & Ruin wasteland.
• Flesh & Bone (2012) - The stakes rise as the undead begin to evolve and the team searches for a sanctuary.
• Fire & Ash (2013) - The epic conclusion to Benny's original journey and the battle for the future of humanity.

Chronological Reading Order (With Short Stories)

If you want to read the short stories in their exact timeline order, you should follow the chronological path. Most of these short stories were originally published as digital standalones (some for free on the publisher's website) but are now conveniently compiled in the 2015 collection Bits & Pieces.

1. "First Night Memories" (Short Story) - A prequel showing the immediate aftermath of the initial zombie outbreak.
2. Rot & Ruin (Book 1)
3. "In the Land of the Dead" (Short Story) - Takes place shortly after the events of the first book.
4. Dust & Decay (Book 2)
5. "Dead & Gone" (Short Story) - A bridge story set between the second and third books.
6. Flesh & Bone (Book 3)
7. "Tooth & Nail" (Short Story) - Set between the third and fourth books.
8. Fire & Ash (Book 4)
9. Bits & Pieces (2015) - Read the remaining eleven original stories and Nix's journal entries here.

The Sequel Series: Broken Lands

The story doesn't end with Benny's original journey. Jonathan Maberry returned to this universe with a spin-off/sequel duology that introduces new characters while continuing the stories of returning favorites. You should read these after finishing the main quartet:

• Broken Lands (2018)
• Lost Roads (2020)

Collections and Comic Adaptations

To help you navigate other media and compilations in the Rot & Ruin universe, keep these in mind:

• Tales of the Rot & Ruin (2012): A digital-only omnibus collection featuring the first three novels (Rot & Ruin, Dust & Decay, and Flesh & Bone) along with the short story "Dead & Gone."
• Bits & Pieces (2015): The definitive anthology containing 22 short stories (11 previously released digital shorts and 11 all-new stories/journal entries) plus a comic script.
• IDW Publishing Comics: A comic book series written by Jonathan Maberry with art by Tony Vargas, serving as an extension of the novels.
• WEBTOON Series: A completed webcomic adaptation of the series written by Jonathan Maberry with art by Alempe.