How to Read the Hidden Cities Series
The Hidden Cities series, co-authored by dark fantasy and horror veterans Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon, offers a unique experience for readers: they are linked thematically but function as entirely standalone stories. Each novel explores a different iconic city, exposing a supernatural underworld, alternate reality, or forgotten history hiding just beneath the surface of the real world.
Because the novels do not share recurring characters or continuous plotlines, the reading path is highly flexible. Readers can dive into whichever city intrigues them most, or follow the books in order of release to appreciate the progression of the authors' collaborative writing style.
Recommended Starting Point
For the best experience, we recommend starting with Mind the Gap. As the first book published in the series, it perfectly establishes the overall tone of dark urban fantasy, magical realism, and real-world grittiness that defines the franchise. Its exploration of London's subterranean tunnels provides an excellent introduction to how Golden and Lebbon weave supernatural elements into familiar geography.
However, if you have a particular fondness for a specific setting—such as post-Katrina New Orleans, the historic canals of Venice, or parallel versions of Boston—you can easily start with any of the other three books without feeling lost.
Hidden Cities Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to read the series in the order the books were released, the list is straightforward. The series was published by Bantam Spectra between 2008 and 2011:
- Mind the Gap (Published: January 2008) – Set in London. Follows Jasmine Towne as she escapes mysterious, sinister pursuers into the hidden underground tunnels of the city.
- The Map of Moments (Published: January 2009) – Set in post-Katrina New Orleans. Centers on history professor Max Corbett, who uses a magical map to travel back to key moments in the city's history to save his lost love.
- The Chamber of Ten (Published: May 2010) – Set in Venice. Focuses on archaeologists Geena and Nico as they uncover a secret chamber tied to Venice's ancient, dark rulers.
- The Shadow Men (Published: January 2011) – Set in Boston. Follows Jim and Trix as they search for Jim's missing family in a version of Boston that has been fractured into three parallel realities by a mad magician.
Chronological Order and Caveats
Because each book is set in its own self-contained supernatural reality, there is no chronological timeline connecting the events of the books. An event in New Orleans' past or Boston's parallel dimensions does not impact the plot or lore of the London underground in Mind the Gap. The books are essentially separate novels sharing a core premise: that the world's most historic and culturally rich cities have mystical, hidden counterparts.
Readers should note that some bibliography lists and databases show slight variations in publication years, particularly for The Map of Moments (sometimes listed as late 2008 or early 2009 due to different printings and regional distribution). However, the narrative order remains completely unaffected by these minor discrepancies.
The Authors and Creative Collaboration
The series was born from the friendship and mutual respect between American horror writer Christopher Golden (a New York Times bestselling author) and British dark fantasy writer Tim Lebbon (a British Fantasy Award winner). The duo developed the concepts together, blending Lebbon's signature atmospheric dread with Golden's fast-paced, character-driven adventure style.
According to the authors, the collaboration allowed them to build complex urban settings that neither would have created individually. They rooted each narrative in real-world history and contemporary struggles—such as the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans or the sinking structures of Venice—making the paranormal elements feel grounded, atmospheric, and highly immersive.