The Recommended Reading Order for Drunk Monkeys
The Drunk Monkeys series, penned by USA Today bestselling author Tymber Dalton (a pseudonym for Lesli Richardson), is a unique blend of gritty post-apocalyptic military action and spicy, high-heat MFM (male-female-male) romance. Often described as a cross between The A-Team and Mad Max (minus the zombies), the series takes place in a near-future world devastated by a weaponized global pandemic known as the Kite virus. To fully enjoy the overarching narrative—which details the search for a vaccine, the geopolitical collapse, and the battle against a fanatical cult—you should read the books in order of publication.
Drunk Monkeys Publication and Chronological Order
- Monkey Business (2014)
- Monkey's Uncle (2014)
- Monkey Wrench (2014)
- Grease Monkey (2014)
- Barrel of Monkeys (2014)
- Flying Monkeys (2014)
- Ice Monkeys (2015)
- Code Monkey (2015)
- Monkey See, Monkey Do (2015)
- Monkeying Around (2016)
What to Know Before You Start
The series is set in 2142, following a catastrophic event known to survivors as "The Massive Fuckup" (TMFU). The Drunk Monkeys are a classified, off-the-grid military special operations unit comprising twenty operatives who use phonetic call signs and code names. Their mission is to secure scientists and research facilities capable of engineering a cure for the Kite virus, all while dealing with hostile militias, military cover-ups, and the apocalyptic schemes of a cult leader named Reverend Silo.
While each book centers on a different romantic pairing (typically a civilian woman who stumbles into the team's path and two elite operatives), the background plot of the pandemic, vaccine research, and the battle against the Church of the Rising Sunset develops chronologically across all ten books. Standalone reading is not recommended if you want to understand the overarching political and scientific conspiracies.
A Book-by-Book Guide to the Saga
1. Monkey Business (2014)
The series kicks off in Australia. Reporter Celia Jorgens travels from Chicago to track down a scientist who might hold a vaccine for the Kite virus. She crosses paths with Drunk Monkeys operatives Tango and Doc, sparking an intense romance while attempting to escape the country before borders lock down permanently.
2. Monkey's Uncle (2014)
Nurse India Pelletier is dedicated to saving lives in a crumbling world, but she becomes a target for a traitor's conspiracy. Operatives Oscar and Yankee step in to protect her, beginning a steamy relationship as they work together to thwart Reverend Silo's earliest plots.
3. Monkey Wrench (2014)
Stacia Rooney is desperate to rescue her brother from the brainwashing of the Church of the Rising Sunset before he is sent on a suicide mission. She aligns with operatives Quack and Lima to infiltrate the cult and disrupt the plans of Reverend Silo.
4. Grease Monkey (2014)
As Los Angeles descends into post-apocalyptic chaos, former military mechanic and sniper Dolce Quinn rescues Drunk Monkeys operatives Roscoe and Niner from a violent mob. Facing massive earthquakes and a military mole, they must secure a vital doctor from "The List."
5. Barrel of Monkeys (2014)
Gia Quick, suddenly promoted to sheriff's station chief in Santa Clarita, decides to blow up a local freeway to prevent infected mobs and rioters from entering. When operatives Omega and Echo get separated from their team and ambushed, Gia arrests them, leading to an uneasy alliance and a deep romantic bond.
6. Flying Monkeys (2014)
Pilot Kyong Tran is tasked with transporting critical research data to Florida. She teams up with operatives Kilo and Foxtrot, navigating personal grief, severe violence, and decaying infrastructure to deliver the potential cure.
7. Ice Monkeys (2015)
Donna, a bank teller, is thrust into danger following a case of mistaken identity. She goes on the run with operatives Victor and Uni. Together, they must navigate a massive ice storm, hunt down an elusive hacker, and evade hostile factions.
8. Code Monkey (2015)
Shasta Myers, a talented traffic programmer from Houston, refuses to use her skills for illegal black-hat operations. When her life is threatened, she is rescued by operatives Juju and Delta, who are in the area destroying a Kite virus laboratory.
9. Monkey See, Monkey Do (2015)
Dr. Leta finds herself abandoned and homeless on Thanksgiving. When she calls upon the Drunk Monkeys for assistance, she is drawn into their central operations, facing off against Reverend Silo's mercs in a final bid for survival.
10. Monkeying Around (2016)
The final book centers on Tank, a deep-cover military intelligence officer embedded with a hacker group. Operatives Papa and Alpha initially distrust her but eventually join forces with her to confront Tank's father and General Arliss as the apocalypse reaches its boiling point.