The Recommended Reading Path
If you are diving into the Deadly Curiosities universe (frequently referred to by fans as the Trifles & Folly Universe), the best starting point is the first full-length novel, Deadly Curiosities (2014). This book establishes the primary cast, the rules of the magic system, and the core lore of the secret Alliance that protects Charleston from dark forces. While you can read the historical prequel short stories first, starting with the first novel allows you to meet Cassidy, Teag, and Sorren in their modern context, making the flashback adventures much more meaningful.
Deadly Curiosities Main Novels in Publication Order
The core narrative of the series is driven by the main novels, which follow Cassidy Kincaide as she uses her psychometric powers to identify and neutralize cursed antiques. The novels should be read in order of publication:
- Deadly Curiosities (2014) – Introduces Cassidy Kincaide, the shop Trifles & Folly, her weaver-witch partner Teag, and the 600-year-old vampire Sorren.
- Vendetta (2015) – The stakes rise as a dark cabal from Sorren's long past targets the Alliance and threatens the safety of Charleston.
- Tangled Web (2018) – Cassidy and her team face vengeful witches, Norse magic, and undead threats that converge on the city.
- Inheritance (2019) – Introduces elements of Caribbean magic and a warlock family feud that spills over into the antique shop.
- Legacy (2021) – Explores deep-seated witch dynasties and long-buried secrets from Charleston's pirate history.
The Deadly Curiosities Adventures: Short Stories & Collections
Alongside the main novels, Gail Z. Martin has published a massive library of shorter works under the banner of Deadly Curiosities Adventures. These range from quick character vignettes to full-length novellas. To prevent readers from having to hunt down dozens of separate ebooks, the author has compiled these stories into convenient anthologies titled Trifles and Folly. Reading these collections between the novels provides rich historical context and side investigations that enhance the main plot.
Trifles and Folly (Volume 1)
Published in 2016, this first volume collects nine of the earliest adventures, plus three prequel stories. It is best read after the first novel, Deadly Curiosities. The collected stories include:
- Buttons – The original contemporary short story that helped establish Cassidy's work.
- The Restless Dead, Retribution, Coffin Box, Wicked Dreams, Collector, Bad Memories, Shadow Garden, and Spook House.
- Prequel Trilogy: Vanities, Wild Hunt, and Dark Legacy (which depict Sorren's origin story in the 1500s).
Trifles and Folly 2
Published in 2017, this second volume compiles seven core stories and three bonus historical tracks. It is best read after the novel Vendetta. The contents include:
- Main Adventures: The Final Death, Predator, Fair Game, Fatal Invitation, Redcap, and Bloodlines.
- Historical Bonus Stories: Among the Shoals Forever, The Low Road, and Steer a Pale Course (focusing on the 1700s maritime history of the Alliance).
Trifles and Folly 3
Published in 2022, this collection compiles two novellas and five short stories that occur around and after the events of Tangled Web and Inheritance. Key stories include:
- The Adventure of the Melted Saint, Keepsakes, Catspaw, The Piper's Song, Innocence Lost, Crewel Fate, and Heap of Trouble.
- A special crossover novella featuring characters from Gail Z. Martin's pen name, Morgan Brice.
Chronological Caveats & Timeline Discrepancies
Because the short stories span over four hundred years of supernatural history, trying to read everything in strict chronological order is not recommended for first-time readers. Several of the adventures take place in different eras:
- The 1500s Prequels: Stories like Vanities, Wild Hunt, and Dark Legacy are set around 1565, showing Sorren's transformation into a vampire and his early centuries.
- The 1700s Prequels: Stories like Steer a Pale Course, Among the Shoals Forever, and The Low Road follow Sorren's adventures in the golden age of piracy and early American history.
- The Modern Era: The main novels and contemporary short stories (like Buttons and Unraveled) take place in the present day.
Reading these prequels first can spoil the mystery of Sorren's past, which is slowly teased out during the main novels. Therefore, the safest and most enjoyable path is to stick to the publication order, using the compiled collections as companion reads.
What to Know Before You Start: The Connected Universe
One of the most exciting aspects of the series is its connection to the works written under Gail Z. Martin's pen name, Morgan Brice. The Morgan Brice novels—including paranormal romance series like Badlands, Witchbane, and Treasure Trail—take place in the exact same paranormal universe. Simon Kincaide, the psychic medium protagonist of the Badlands series, is the cousin of Cassidy Kincaide. Characters frequently cross over between the two series, and reading both adds a wonderful layer of world-building to the Southern supernatural landscape.