Charley Davidson Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the publication order. Darynda Jones weaves a complex overarching narrative with significant character growth and relationship progression, particularly between Charley and the mysterious Reyes Farrow. Reading out of order will expose you to major spoilers.

The Core Charley Davidson Novels

The main series consists of 13 primary novels, beginning with First Grave on the Right and concluding with Summoned to Thirteenth Grave. These form the backbone of Charley's story as she balances her PI work with her cosmic duties as the Grim Reaper.

Publication Order of Charley Davidson Books

This is the order in which the books and companion novellas were originally released. If you want to experience the series exactly as fans did as it was published, use this list:

1. First Grave on the Right (2011)
2. For I Have Sinned (2011) - Novella (Book 1.5)
3. Second Grave on the Left (2011)
4. Third Grave Dead Ahead (2012)
5. Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (2012)
6. Fifth Grave Past the Light (2013)
7. Sixth Grave on the Edge (2014)
8. Seventh Grave and No Body (2014)
9. Eighth Grave After Dark (2015)
10. Brighter Than the Sun (2015) - Novella (Book 8.5)
11. Shimmer / Glow (2015) - Companion holiday stories (Book 5.5 / 5.6)
12. The Dirt on Ninth Grave (2016)
13. The Curse of Tenth Grave (2016)
14. A Very Charley Christmas (2016) - Short story (Book 10.5)
15. Eleventh Grave in Moonlight (2017)
16. The Trouble with Twelfth Grave (2017)
17. Summoned to Thirteenth Grave (2019)
18. The Graveyard Shift (2020) - Spin-off Novella
19. The Gravedigger’s Son (2021) - Spin-off Novella
20. The Graveside Bar and Grill (2022) - Spin-off Novella
21. The Grave Robber (2023) - Spin-off Novella
22. Graveyard Dog (2024) - Spin-off Novella

Chronological Order & Timeline Caveats

If you prefer to read the events in the exact order they happen in the timeline, you will need to adjust the placement of some stories. Specifically, several novellas and short stories were published years after the main books they chronologically follow:

• For I Have Sinned (Book 1.5): Chronologically takes place directly between the events of First Grave on the Right and Second Grave on the Left.
• Shimmer & Glow (Book 5.5 / 5.6): Even though published after Book 8, these companion stories take place shortly after Fifth Grave Past the Light. Reading them early adds festive flavor, but waiting until after Book 5 is mandatory to avoid spoilers.
• Brighter Than the Sun (Book 8.5): Focuses on Reyes Farrow's backstory and is best read right after Eighth Grave After Dark.
• A Very Charley Christmas (Book 10.5): Fits neatly between The Curse of Tenth Grave and Eleventh Grave in Moonlight.

Note on Database Variations: Some reading order trackers list the holiday novellas like Shimmer and Glow at the end of the chronological timeline (after the main series concludes) because they are non-essential to the main plot. However, for a true chronological narrative, they belong in their designated decimal spots.

Spin-Offs and the 1001 Dark Nights Novellas

After wrapping up the main 13-novel arc in 2019, Darynda Jones continued expanding the universe through a series of standalone spin-off novellas published under the 1001 Dark Nights banner. These focus on beloved side characters and next-generation supernatural investigators:

• The Graveyard Shift (2020): Centers on former cop and investigator Garrett Swopes.
• The Gravedigger’s Son (2021): Follows Quentin Rutherford (a demon hunter) and Amber Kowalski (a supernatural PI) as adults.
• The Graveside Bar and Grill (2022): Centers on Donovan St. James and Dr. Lucia Mirabal (Sia).
• The Grave Robber (2023): Features Eric Vause, who can see the dead after surviving hellhounds.
• Graveyard Dog (2024): Features Michael Cavalcante and Izzabel Walsh.