The Recommended Reading Order for Black London
To experience the full journey of detective Pete Caldecott and the troubled crow mage Jack Winter, we recommend following the publication order. The chronological events map directly to how the books were released, making for a seamless reading experience.
Black London Books in Recommended Order
- "Newlydeads" (2008) — A prequel short story published in the anthology My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon. While optional, it offers a great introduction to the universe's dark atmosphere.
- Street Magic (2009) — The official starting point. Pete Caldecott is reunited with Jack Winter, a mage she thought was dead, to solve a supernatural kidnapping.
- "Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go" (2009) — An optional short story included in the Huntress anthology.
- Demon Bound (2009) — Jack's demonic pacts return to haunt him, putting Pete directly in the crosshairs.
- Bone Gods (2010) — Pete must investigate a series of bizarre necromantic crimes while dealing with the fallout of Jack's absence.
- Devil's Business (2011) — An ancient cult and dark secrets threaten to tear the duo apart.
- The Curse of Four (2011) — A standalone novella published by Subterranean Press. It is best read here, as book 4.5, before starting the next novel.
- Soul Trade (2012) — Pete and Jack face the terrifying reality of souls being bought and sold in the London underworld.
- Dark Days (2013) — The epic conclusion to the saga, featuring an apocalyptic confrontation that decides the fate of Black London.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
Because Caitlin Kittredge wrote the Black London novels in chronological order, readers do not need to jump back and forth. The only choices involve the short stories and the novella. The prequel story "Newlydeads" can be read first to set the mood, or saved for later as a flashback. The novella The Curse of Four takes place chronologically after the events of Devil's Business and should be read before Soul Trade for the best narrative flow.
Spin-offs, Co-authored Works, and Tie-ins
There are no official spin-off series set in the Black London universe. The main narrative is fully self-contained within the six novels and supporting short fiction. However, if you enjoy Caitlin Kittredge's signature dark, hardboiled urban fantasy style, you might appreciate her co-authored works. She partnered with Jackie Kessler to write the Icarus Project series, which includes the novels Black and White and Shades of Gray.