Where to Start: The Eric Carter Saga
If you want to dive straight into the heart of this universe, your best starting point is Dead Things (2013). This book introduces Eric Carter, a necromancer who communicates with the dead, wears magical tattoos, and finds himself entangled with dangerous Aztec deities and old grudges in Los Angeles. The core Eric Carter storyline flows chronologically in publication order from this point onward.
The Joe Sunday Companion: City of the Lost (2012)
Before launching Eric Carter’s story, Stephen Blackmoore wrote a standalone novel titled City of the Lost in 2012. Set in the same magical noir L.A. universe, it follows Joe Sunday, a mob enforcer who is resurrected as a zombie. While it establishes the dark atmosphere and rules of Blackmoore’s supernatural underworld, it is not required reading for Eric Carter's personal arc. You can read it first as a thematic introduction or enjoy it later as a companion piece.
City of the Lost Universe Reading Order
Here is the recommended reading path for the entire series. Because the main saga follows a strict chronological line, the publication order is the best way to experience Eric Carter’s evolution.
- City of the Lost (2012) – Companion Standalone featuring Joe Sunday
- Dead Things (2013) – Eric Carter Book 1
- Broken Souls (2014) – Eric Carter Book 2
- Hungry Ghosts (2017) – Eric Carter Book 3
- Fire Season (2019) – Eric Carter Book 4
- Ghost Money (2020) – Eric Carter Book 5
- Bottle Demon (2021) – Eric Carter Book 6
- Suicide Kings (2022) – Eric Carter Book 7
- Hate Machine (2022) – Eric Carter Book 8
- Cult Classic (2023) – Eric Carter Book 9
What Makes the Series Unique
Unlike traditional urban fantasy, the Eric Carter series leans heavily into gritty crime noir and horror. Carter is a deeply flawed, often desperate protagonist whose magic is physically taxing and dangerous. The world-building features a unique blend of Aztec mythology—specifically centering around Santa Muerte and the underworld of Mictlan—alongside traditional urban fantasy elements, giving it a raw, distinct flavor.