Dwarf Bounty Hunter Books in Order

How to Start the Dwarf Bounty Hunter Series

If you love urban fantasy packed with grit, magic, and snarky humor, the Dwarf Bounty Hunter series by Martha Carr and Michael Anderle is a must-read. Set within the sprawling, magical Oriceran Universe, the series follows Johnny Walker—a legendary dwarf bounty hunter who tried to retire to the humid depths of the Florida Everglades, only to be dragged back into the game. Armed with his two loyal, magically enhanced coonhounds, Rex and Luther, Johnny hunts down supernatural criminals while searching for answers to a deeply personal tragedy: the murder of his teenage daughter.

To fully appreciate Johnny's journey, you have two main options. You can read the core 12-book series on its own, or you can opt for the ultimate reading experience by combining it with the co-authored spin-off series, Academy of Necessary Magic. We highly recommend the combined reading path because the two series overlap chronologically, sharing key characters, plotlines, and major crossover events.

The Combined Oriceran Universe Reading Order

For the most rewarding experience, you should alternate between the Dwarf Bounty Hunter (DBH) books and the Academy of Necessary Magic (AONM) books. This prevents major spoilers and ensures you see how characters like the teenage shifter Amanda Coulier grow alongside Johnny. Here is the official chronological reading order:

1. Go Dwarf Yourself (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 1) – Johnny is pulled out of retirement by the FBI to track down a missing child, leading him to a dangerous supernatural gathering known as the Monsters Ball.
2. Don't Give A Dwarf (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 2) – Johnny hunts a dangerous Logree creature from Oriceran and crosses paths with a young shifter named Amanda.
3. All Dwarf'ed Up (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 3) – The action intensifies as Johnny and his light elf partner, Lisa Breyer, take on increasingly dangerous cases.
4. Zero Dwarfs Given (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 4) – Johnny faces new threats that force him to reconsider his role in the wider magical world.
5. Shifter In The Swamp (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 1) – This spin-off begins here, focusing on the academy founded by Johnny, Leira Berens, and James Brownstone to train young magical bounty hunters.
6. What The Dwarf (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 5) – Johnny dives into private investigations in the Everglades, uncovering illegal magical activities.
7. Dwarf It All (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 6) – Johnny and Lisa investigate high-stakes attacks on federal buildings.
8. Cluster Dwarf (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 7) – Johnny faces chaotic magical complications that threaten the safety of his home.
9. Magic in the Marsh (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 2) – The students at the academy face new challenges as they learn to control their powers.
10. For Dwarf's Sake (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 8) – Johnny deals with the fallout of Oriceran magic spilling over into the human world.
11. Curse in the Glades (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 3) – The stakes rise at the academy as local dangers begin to threaten the campus.
12. Hex in the Lowlands (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 4) – The young shifters and magic-users face a new mystery.
13. Evil in the Badlands (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 5) – The students take their training to a dangerous new level outside the swamp.
14. Big, Bad Mother Dwarf'er (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 9) – Johnny takes on his most dangerous magical adversaries yet.
15. Get The Dwarf Out (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 10) – High-octane action as Johnny fights to protect those closest to him.
16. Jinx in the Hinterlands (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 6) – The academy's students must band together to survive a new threat.
17. Dwarf 'Em All (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 11) – The overarching mystery of the series nears its peak as Johnny closes in on his enemies.
18. Shadow in the Backwater (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 7) – Secrets are revealed that set up the final confrontation.
19. Dwarfin' Done (Dwarf Bounty Hunter Book 12) – The epic conclusion to Johnny Walker's primary bounty-hunting saga.
20. Abomination in the Bog (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 8) – The final book in this companion run, wrapping up the story of the academy and the young trainees.

Publication Order of the Standalone Series

If you prefer to stick strictly to Johnny Walker's solo adventures without switching back and forth, you can read the 12 main books in publication order. This list traces the release of the books from 2020 through 2021:

• Go Dwarf Yourself (2020)
• Don't Give A Dwarf (2020)
• All Dwarf'ed Up (2020)
• Zero Dwarfs Given (2021)
• What The Dwarf (2021)
• Dwarf It All (2021)
• Cluster Dwarf (2021)
• For Dwarf's Sake (2021)
• Big, Bad Mother Dwarf’er (2021)
• Get The Dwarf Out (2021)
• Dwarf ‘Em All (2021)
• Dwarfin’ Done (2021)

For readers who prefer physical books or purchasing in bulk, the series is also available in convenient digital and physical collections. LMBPN Publishing has released two 6-book boxed sets covering the entire 12-book series, as well as The Ultimate Dwarf Bounty Hunter Collection, which compiles all 20 books across both series into a single package.

Chronological Caveats & Reading Guidance

Understanding the structure of the Oriceran Universe is key to enjoying this series. While some urban fantasy series feature standalone cases that can be read out of order, Dwarf Bounty Hunter is heavily serialized. The overarching narrative arc—specifically Johnny Walker's hunt for his daughter's killer and his development as a guardian to Amanda—progresses continuously. Skipping books or reading them out of order will lead to confusion, as characters' relationships, powers, and statuses shift significantly from one book to the next.

The biggest caveat is the role of the Academy of Necessary Magic. While it is technically a spin-off, it serves as a direct continuation of events that begin in the early DBH books. Johnny Walker, along with Leira Berens and James Brownstone (characters from other Oriceran series), founds the academy. If you skip the AONM books, you will miss how Johnny establishes this safe haven and how Amanda, his ward, develops her skills. The alternating order represents the chronological timeline of these events as they occur in the Oriceran world.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the swamps of Florida, here is what you should expect from Martha Carr and Michael Anderle's collaborative series:

• The Setting: The story takes place primarily in the humid, dangerous Florida Everglades. This gritty, real-world backdrop is infused with magical energy, portals, and creatures from the world of Oriceran, creating a unique urban fantasy environment.
• The Tone: The authors blend fast-paced, action-oriented urban fantasy with classic, gritty detective noir. Expect hard-boiled detective monologues mixed with magical spellcasting and comedic breaks.
• The Hounds: One of the most beloved aspects of the series is Johnny's coonhounds, Rex and Luther. Thanks to magical Oriceran influence, they possess enhanced intelligence and are capable of communicating with Johnny, offering comedic relief and tactical support during hunts.
• The Oriceran Universe: This series is part of a larger universe created by Michael Anderle. While you do not need to read the other Oriceran series (like the Leira Chronicles) to understand Johnny's story, doing so will reveal fun easter eggs and crossover references that enrich the reading experience.