The Ultimate Reading Path for Forty Proof
When you are ready to dive into the magical world of Forty Proof, the most important question is where to begin. The series features a main sequence of nine novels and a companion prequel novella. For the best experience, readers have two main options: starting with the publication order to experience the mystery as it unfolds, or taking a chronological approach that puts the prequel first.
The Recommended Reading Order
For most readers, starting with the first full-length novel is the recommended path. Beginning with Book 1 allows you to meet the main protagonist, Breena O’Rylee, and discover the magical world of Savannah alongside her. The prequel novella can then be read either before starting or later in the series as a fun backstory treat. Here is the recommended chronological reading order:
- Robert (Book 0.5) - A prequel novella focusing on the origin story of the beloved talking skeleton. Published in 2024 (with early ebook releases in 2023), this book can be read first to get a chronological head start, or saved for later to avoid early character spoilers.
- Midlife Bounty Hunter (Book 1) - Originally published under the title Grave Magic Bounty, this is the official start of Breena’s journey. She is 41, newly divorced, and trying to rebuild her life in Savannah when she stumbles into the supernatural bounty hunting business.
- Midlife Fairy Hunter (Book 2) - Breena deals with a magical fairy ring, pesky fae spells, and the introduction of a gorgeous fae love interest named Crash.
- Midlife Demon Hunter (Book 3) - The stakes escalate as Breena takes on darker underworld threats and tries to keep her new life from falling apart.
- Midlife Ghost Hunter (Book 4) - Savannah's haunted history takes center stage as Breena confronts spirits and unravels deeper supernatural mysteries.
- Midlife Zombie Hunter (Book 5) - Breena faces a rising undead threat that tests both her humor and her newly found magical skills.
- Midlife Witch Hunter (Book 6) - A change of scenery takes Breena all the way to France to protect an ancient witch, adding international stakes, vampires, and emotional trials.
- Midlife Magic Hunter (Book 7) - Breena continues to hone her magical abilities and navigate the complex, slow-burn romantic tension with Crash.
- Midlife Soul Hunter (Book 8) - The penultimate adventure where the overarching series conflict builds to a fever pitch.
- Midlife Vampire Hunter (Book 9) - The final book in the main series, wrapping up Breena's journey as she and Crash face off against the powerful vampire Evangeline.
Publication Order of Forty Proof Books
If you prefer to read the series exactly as it was released, follow the publication order. Reading in this order ensures that you experience the character developments and plot reveals exactly as the author intended. The novella Robert was published near the end of the series run, offering a nostalgic look back at a fan-favorite character just before the final book released.
- Midlife Bounty Hunter (2020)
- Midlife Fairy Hunter (2020)
- Midlife Demon Hunter (2020)
- Midlife Ghost Hunter (2020)
- Midlife Zombie Hunter (2021)
- Midlife Witch Hunter (2022)
- Midlife Magic Hunter (2022)
- Midlife Soul Hunter (2023)
- Robert (2024)
- Midlife Vampire Hunter (2024)
Key Caveats: Chronological vs. Publication Order
While the chronological order places Robert at the very beginning (Book 0.5), it is worth noting that the novella was written and published after the first eight books were already out. Because of this, it contains stylistic choices and references that fit well with a reader who is already familiar with the characters. Reading it as Book 9 (its publication placement) acts as a delightful prequel lookback right before you tackle the epic finale in Midlife Vampire Hunter.
Another minor point of confusion for new readers is the title of the first book. When Shannon Mayer first launched the series, Book 1 was titled Grave Magic Bounty. It was later rebranded to Midlife Bounty Hunter to align with the "Midlife [Monster] Hunter" naming convention used for the rest of the series. If you see references to Grave Magic Bounty online, rest assured it is the exact same book as Midlife Bounty Hunter.
Meet the Savannah Crew: Key Characters
The success of Forty Proof rests on its engaging, mature cast of characters. Unlike traditional urban fantasy stories that feature teenagers or young adults, this series embraces the challenges and triumphs of starting over later in life.
- Breena O’Rylee: The heart of the series. At 41, she has survived a bad divorce, left Seattle behind, and moved to Savannah. Instead of settling down, she discovers she has magical abilities and a knack for supernatural bounty hunting.
- Robert: An animated, talking skeleton brought to life by grave magic. He serves as Breena's sarcastic, witty, and surprisingly wise companion throughout her adventures.
- Crash: A powerful and handsome fae who becomes Breena's primary love interest. Their relationship is a classic slow-burn romance that develops gradually over the course of the nine books.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, there are a few practical aspects of the series to keep in mind. First, Forty Proof is a cornerstone of the Paranormal Women's Fiction (PWF) subgenre. This means it explicitly focuses on a mature protagonist (a heroine in her 40s) and deals with themes like aging, divorce, self-reinvention, and finding confidence later in life, all wrapped in a fast-paced urban fantasy setting.
Second, the books are not designed to be read as standalones. There is a strong, continuous narrative arc that runs through all nine main books, particularly regarding Breena's relationship with Crash, the mystery of her magic, and her ongoing conflict with the vampire Evangeline. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers.
Lastly, while Shannon Mayer has written other popular, interconnected urban fantasy series (like the Rylee Adamson and Elemental series), Forty Proof is a completely standalone universe. You do not need to read any of her other series to fully enjoy and understand Breena's story in Savannah.