How to Read the Marnie Baranuik Files
If you love your urban fantasy packed with forensic psychic investigations, ancient vampires, and a heroine whose mouth could strip paint off a wall, then A.J. Aalto's Marnie Baranuik Files is your next must-read series. Marnie Baranuik, colloquially dubbed the 'Great White Shark' by the press, is a dual-talented forensic psychic with the Preternatural Crimes Unit. Equipped with both empathy and object-reading capabilities, she navigates a world where magic, ghosts, and the undead are very real—and very dangerous.
To get the most out of Marnie's chaotic love life, evolving psychic powers, and the overarching supernatural mystery, you should follow the chronological path. The author's short stories and novellas (known as the 'Between the Files' stories) slot directly between the major novels, expanding the lore and character dynamics.
Recommended Chronological Reading Order
For the complete, immersive experience, read the books and novellas in this specific order:
- Touched (Book 1)
- Death Rejoices (Book 2)
- Cold Company (Between the Files Novella / Book 2.5)
- Dirt Nap (Between the Files Novella / Book 2.6)
- Last Impressions (Book 3)
- Deadhead (Between the Files Novella / Book 3.1)
- Wrath & Bones (Book 4)
- Blightmare (Book 5)
- Stiff Competition (Between the Files Novella / Book 5.5)
- Kindred Spirits (Book 6)
- Grave Mistakes (Between the Files Short Story, 2022)
- Grave Dealings (Between the Files Short Story, 2022)
- Dear Departed (Book 7, 2024)
The Main Novels: Publication Order and Summary
If you prefer to focus solely on the full-length novels before looping back to the supplemental novellas, the core series moves forward linearly. Here is the publication path of the main novels:
Touched (2011)
This is where the magic starts. Marnie is coaxed out of her self-imposed retirement in Colorado to assist the FBI with a gruesome preternatural serial killer. Here, we meet her future companion Harry (an old-world vampire, or 'revenant') and the frustratingly attractive FBI agent Mark Batten. This book establishes Marnie's unique biological psychic abilities and her signature snarky humor.
Death Rejoices (2013)
Marnie is officially leading the new Preternatural Crimes Unit. She finds herself in a race against time dealing with zombies, ancient curses, and her growing reliance on Harry's preternatural protection. Her sugar addiction and quick-witted banter are on full display as the stakes get higher.
Last Impressions (2014)
Moving the action north, Marnie heads to Canada. This installment digs deep into ghost-lore and Marnie's own complicated family history. Facing terrifying spectral threats, Marnie must rely on her forensic talents while managing the friction between Batten and her vampire allies.
Wrath & Bones (2015)
Vampire politics take center stage. Marnie's powers are undergoing dangerous shifts, and her role as a 'DaySitter' for Harry places her directly in the crosshairs of ancient, powerful preternatural factions. It's a darker, faster-paced book that permanently alters the status quo.
Blightmare (2017)
Faced with a terrifying magical plague, Marnie is pushed to her limits both physically and emotionally. The mystery blends high-stakes science fiction elements (reminiscent of Aalto's real-life biology background) with deep preternatural horror.
Kindred Spirits (2021)
After a multi-year hiatus, Aalto returned to Marnie's world. This novel explores the fallout of previous battles, reuniting Marnie with old allies and forcing her to confront the emotional wreckage of her relationships with Mark Batten and Harry.
Dear Departed (2024)
The seventh novel finds Marnie lured back into action by her former boss to save her friend Declan on a remote, danger-filled island. Facing raised sentinels, an old enemy's curse, and a face-to-face meeting with Death itself, Marnie must decide what she is willing to sacrifice.
The 'Between the Files' Novellas and Short Stories
A.J. Aalto has written several shorter companion pieces that fill in the gaps between Marnie's major cases. Far from being simple filler, these stories provide vital character development, particularly regarding Marnie's relationships with the supporting cast.
- Cold Company (Book 2.5): Focuses on a chilly mystery that tests Marnie's abilities under freezing conditions.
- Dirt Nap (Book 2.6): Features a fast-paced preternatural puzzle dealing with buried secrets.
- Deadhead (Book 3.1): A short, humorous bridge story that takes place right after the events of Last Impressions.
- Stiff Competition (Book 5.5): A hilarious, low-stakes case that highlights Marnie's chaotic day-to-day life between major traumas.
- Grave Mistakes & Grave Dealings (2022): These twin short stories published in 2022 explore minor investigations and relationship developments leading up to the events of Book 7.
What to Know Before You Start
A.J. Aalto brings her unique background as a biologist and student of criminal psychology to the series. The preternatural biology in the Marnie Baranuik Files is surprisingly detailed, treating vampirism (revenants) and psychic empathy as physical, biological traits rather than purely mystical occurrences. The tone of the series is a distinct blend of gritty preternatural CSI-style mystery, laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy, and slow-burn romantic tension. Be prepared for a lot of foul language, self-deprecating humor, and a heroine who is deeply flawed but endlessly resilient.