Experiment In Terror Books in Order

How to Read the Experiment in Terror Series

For the best experience reading Karina Halle’s cult-favorite paranormal horror and romance series, it is highly recommended to read the books in a hybrid chronological and publication order. Because the intermediate novellas contain vital character development, major plot transitions, and crucial backstories, skipping them can make the main novels feel disjointed.

Here is the recommended reading path for the main series:

1. Darkhouse (Book 1, 2011) – The novel that introduces Perry Palomino and Dex Foray, setting them off on a low-budget ghost-hunting webcast adventure at a haunted lighthouse.
2. Red Fox (Book 2, 2011) – Perry and Dex travel to New Mexico, confronting terrifying Navajo skinwalker legends and deepening their tense relationship.
3. The Benson (Novella #2.5, 2011) – A spooky case set in Portland’s historic and haunted Benson Hotel, taking place just weeks after the events of Red Fox.
4. Dead Sky Morning (Book 3, 2011) – A dark, atmospheric novel that strands the duo on a fog-shrouded island in Maine with a history as a leper colony.
5. Lying Season (Book 4, 2011) – Set in Dex's hometown of Seattle, this installment shifts the focus toward high-stakes emotional drama, secrets, and ghosts of the past.
6. On Demon Wings (Book 5, 2012) – Perry faces an intense, terrifying personal crisis in Portland as demonic forces threaten to tear her mind and life apart.
7. Old Blood (Novella #5.5, 2012) – A chilling story that focuses on the dark and tragic history of Perry's grandmother, Pippa, which has massive implications for the main plot.
8. The Dex-Files (Novella #5.7, 2012) – A compilation of scenes from the first six books retold entirely from Dex Foray's chaotic and intense perspective.
9. Into the Hollow (Book 6, 2012) – Perry and Dex travel to the Grand Canyon to face both supernatural terrors and their long-denied romantic feelings.
10. And with Madness Comes the Light (Novella #6.5, 2013) – A novella told entirely from Dex’s point of view, covering his emotional struggles and transformation during the gap between Lying Season and On Demon Wings.
11. Come Alive (Book 7, 2013) – Perry and Dex take their ghost-hunting show to a creepy, haunted schoolhouse in Manitoba, Canada.
12. Ashes to Ashes (Book 8, 2013) – The stakes rise to an all-time high as the duo travels to a haunted castle in Poland, facing ancient spirits and dark choices.
13. Perception (Novella Anthology, 2013) – A physical compilation that binds together the previously digital-only novellas: The Benson, Old Blood, and The Dex-Files.
14. Dust to Dust (Book 9, 2014) – Originally intended as the grand finale to Perry and Dex's journey, this high-octane novel wraps up the primary overarching conflict.
15. Ghosted (Novella #9.5, 2020) – A surprise return to the series, told from Dex's point of view, exploring his and Perry’s life years after the events of the original run.
16. Came Back Haunted (Book 10, 2020) – The official continuation novel, reviving the ghost-hunting webcast as Perry and Dex confront new horrors and mature relationship dynamics.
17. In the Fade (Book 11, 2021) – The final full-length novel of the revived series, bringing the long-running supernatural and romantic narrative to a satisfying conclusion.

Understanding the Publication vs. Chronological Order

While the publication dates for the books largely align with their chronological events, the placement of the novellas is where readers often get confused. For example, The Benson was published after the third main novel, but the events take place chronologically between the second book, Red Fox, and the third book, Dead Sky Morning. Reading the books strictly by publication order is perfectly fine, but reading them in the chronological story order listed above is highly recommended by fans. This ensures that character relationships—which develop slowly and intensely—evolve logically without sudden shifts or spoilers.

Another notable entry is And with Madness Comes the Light (Book 6.5). Although it is numbered 6.5, the events depicted in it actually fill in the gap between Book 4 (Lying Season) and Book 5 (On Demon Wings) from Dex's perspective. It was published later to flesh out Dex's state of mind during a period where Perry and Dex were separated, making it a crucial piece of the emotional puzzle.

The Expanded Experiment in Terror Universe

Karina Halle has built an interconnected paranormal universe that extends beyond Perry and Dex’s main story. If you want to experience the complete mythos, there are two major spin-off series to check out:

The Ada Palomino Series (The Experiment in Terror Spin-off)

This series centers on Ada Palomino, Perry’s younger sister. Ada is a witch who must navigate the dark, supernatural underworld while dealing with her own unique powers. Characters from the main Experiment in Terror series frequently make appearances or are referenced in this trilogy. It should be read after completing the main Experiment in Terror series to avoid major spoilers regarding the Palomino family. The books are:

• Veiled (2016)
• Song for the Dead (2021)
• Demon Dust (2021)

The Devil's Duology (The Devils Series)

A loosely connected historical paranormal duology set in the 1970s, this series follows music journalist Dawn Emerson and the heavy metal band Hybrid. While it has its own standalone story, it exists within the same supernatural universe. There are subtle Easter eggs and connections that tie back to the main Experiment in Terror books, particularly in Lying Season and Ghosted. The duology includes:

• The Devil's Metal (2012)
• The Devil's Reprise (2013)

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Darkhouse, readers should prepare for a slow-burn romance that takes several books to fully ignite. Perry Palomino and Dex Foray are intentionally written as highly flawed, realistic, and sometimes frustrating characters who carry deep-seated trauma. The series is known for its gritty realism, combining genuine horror elements (which are genuinely scary) with witty, banter-filled dialogue and emotional angst.

Additionally, do not treat the novellas as optional filler. Novellas like Old Blood and The Dex-Files are essential to understanding the lore of the Palomino family and the complex psyche of Dex Foray. If you prefer physical books, picking up the Perception anthology is the easiest way to access the early novellas in print.