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series Reading Order

Cainsville Books in Order

22 Books
2 Reading orders
2013 – 2019 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Cainsville

For the best experience, start with the first novel, Omens. While there are prequels and short stories that take place chronologically before the main story, the novels are designed to introduce you to the mystery of Olivia Taylor-Jones, Gabriel Walsh, and the strange rules of Cainsville from the ground up.

Publication Order of Cainsville Books

Following the publication order is the easiest way to experience the series. This includes the core novels, standalone novellas, and the short story collection:

  1. Omens (Novel, 2013)
  2. Visions (Novel, 2014)
  3. Gabriel's Gargoyle (Short Story, 2014) - Note: Available in the Portents collection.
  4. Deceptions (Novel, 2015)
  5. The Orange Cat and Other Cainsville Tales (Promotional Collection, 2016) - Note: A promotional prequel sampler whose stories were later collected in Portents.
  6. Betrayals (Novel, 2016)
  7. Lost Souls (Novella, 2016)
  8. Rituals (Novel, 2017)
  9. Rough Justice (Novella, 2018)
  10. Portents (Collection, 2018)
  11. Cruel Fate (Novella, 2019)

Chronological Order of Cainsville Books

If you want to read the stories in the order that events actually occur, you can insert the shorter stories and novellas directly into the timeline. Note that reading the prequel stories first may spoil or alter some of the mystery elements meant to be uncovered in the main novels.

  1. Gabriel's Gargoyle (Prequel story featuring Gabriel's childhood)
  2. Omens (Book 1)
  3. Visions (Book 2)
  4. Deceptions (Book 3)
  5. The Orange Cat and Other Cainsville Tales (Takes place after Deceptions)
  6. Betrayals (Book 4)
  7. Lost Souls (Novella set around Betrayals)
  8. Rituals (Book 5, the core series finale)
  9. Rough Justice (Novella taking place after Rituals)
  10. Portents (The complete anthology of tales and side stories)
  11. Cruel Fate (Novella set after the events of Rough Justice)

Key Collections and Novellas

Portents: A Collection of Cainsville Tales

Published in 2018, this retail collection brings together seven shorter works that were previously scattered or released as promotions (such as the stories inside The Orange Cat and Other Cainsville Tales). It features stories like The Screams of Dragons, Devil May Care, Gabriel's Gargoyles, Bad Publicity, The Orange Cat, Matagot, and The Lady of the Lake.

The Subterranean Press Novellas

The standalone novellas Lost Souls, Rough Justice, and Cruel Fate were published as special editions by Subterranean Press. They are essential reading for fans who want to follow the extended lives and mysteries surrounding Olivia, Gabriel, and the town after the main novels conclude.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting book for Cainsville?

You should start with the first novel, Omens. Even though there are short stories set earlier chronologically, the first novel provides the best introduction to the characters and the town's mysteries.

QHow many main novels are in the Cainsville series?

There are five main novels in the core series: Omens, Visions, Deceptions, Betrayals, and Rituals.

QWhat is the difference between "The Orange Cat" and "Portents"?

The Orange Cat and Other Cainsville Tales was a promotional mini-collection released in 2016. Its stories, along with several others, were later compiled into the wider retail collection Portents: A Collection of Cainsville Tales in 2018.

QDo I need to read the novellas to understand the main story?

No, the main plot wraps up in the fifth novel, Rituals. However, the novellas (like Lost Souls, Rough Justice, and Cruel Fate) offer crucial context, resolution, and post-series character developments.

QWhere can I find the story "Gabriel's Gargoyle"?

"Gabriel's Gargoyle" is a prequel short story that is officially collected in the anthology Portents.

QWho published the Cainsville novellas?

The standalone Cainsville novellas—Lost Souls, Rough Justice, and Cruel Fate—were published as special limited editions by Subterranean Press.