Montague & Strong Case Files Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start

If you are diving into the magic-drenched streets of New York City with the Montague & Strong Case Files, you have a classic choice to make: do you start at the very beginning of the timeline, or do you start where the author originally introduced the characters to the world? For the best reading experience, we recommend starting with the first published novel, Tombyards & Butterflies. This book does the heavy lifting of introducing the immortal detective Simon Strong, his stoic mage partner Tristan Montague, and the rules of the supernatural underbelly of New York. Starting here allows you to learn about the world alongside the characters.

However, if you prefer to have all the backstory before the main plot kicks off, you can start with the prequel novellas. Specifically, No God Is Safe (frequently labeled as Book 0.5) is a popular alternative entry point that gives you a taste of their dynamic and the magical stakes before the main series begins. But for most readers, sticking to the publication sequence is the most rewarding way to experience the evolution of both the characters and Orlando A. Sanchez's writing style.

Montague & Strong Case Files Publication Order

The series is exceptionally prolific, spanning full-length novels, short story collections, and intermediate novellas. To help you track your progress, here is the complete publication order of the Montague & Strong Case Files based on the official bibliography:

1. Tombyards & Butterflies (2017)
2. Full Moon Howl (2017)
3. No God is Safe (2017)
4. The Date (2017)
5. Blood is Thicker (2017)
6. Silver Clouds Dirty Sky (2018)
7. The War Mage (2018)
8. Homecoming (2018)
9. Dragons & Demigods (2018)
10. A Proper Hellhound (2018)
11. Bullets & Blades (2018)
12. Hellhound Blues (2018)
13. Hell Hath No Fury (2019)
14. Reaping Wind (2019)
15. The Perfect Cup (2019)
16. The Golem (2019)
17. Saving Mr. K (2020)
18. Dark Glass (2020)
19. Walking The Razor (2020)
20. Requiem (2021)
21. Divine Intervention (2021)
22. Storm Blood (2022)
23. Revenant (2022)
24. Blood Lessons (2022)
25. Broken Magic (2022)
26. Lost Runes (2023)
27. Archmage (2023)
28. Entropy (2023)
29. Corpse Road (2024)
30. Immortal (2024)
31. Outcast (2024)

Chronological Caveats: Where the Short Stories Fit

Orlando A. Sanchez frequently publishes shorter works and companion novellas between major novel releases. Reading these in chronological order provides valuable context, fleshing out side characters and subplots that return in the main novels. Here is how the timeline aligns chronologically for the early and mid-series entries:

• The War Mage (Book 0.4): Fleshes out Tristan Montague's backstory before he joins forces with Simon.
• No God Is Safe (Book 0.5): Explores an early case that establishes the core partnership dynamic.
• The Date (Book 0.6): A fun, lighter story highlighting the domestic side of supernatural life.
• Tombyards & Butterflies (Book 1.0): The official start of the main narrative.
• Full Moon Howl (Book 2.0): Follows immediately after the events of Book 1.
• Blood Is Thicker (Book 3.0): Escalates the vampire politics in the city.
• Silver Clouds Dirty Sky (Book 4.0): Takes the duo to London.
• Homecoming (Book 5.0) & Dragons & Demigods (Book 6.0): Direct continuations of the central arc.
• A Proper Hellhound (Book 6.5): A fan-favorite novella focusing on Peaches the hellhound and his unique place in the team.
• Bullets & Blades (Book 7.0): Continues the main action.
• Hellhound Blues (Book 7.5): Another Peaches-centric story detailing his loyalty and appetite.
• Hell Hath No Fury (Book 8.0) & Reaping Wind (Book 9.0): Raise the magical stakes further.
• The Perfect Cup (Book 9.5): Tristan’s tea-drinking habits and detective skills take center stage.
• The Golem (Book 10.5): A side-case focused on local lore.
• Saving Mr. K (Book 10.6): A rescue mission that provides a bridge to later novels.

If you skip the novellas, you won't get lost in the primary plot of the main novels, but you will miss out on the rich, character-driven humor and world-building details that make this urban fantasy community so beloved.

The Connected Universe: Spin-offs and Companion Series

The Montague & Strong Case Files are only one part of a larger, interconnected supernatural universe crafted by Orlando A. Sanchez. As you read through the main series, you will encounter references to organizations, events, and characters that have their own dedicated spin-offs. If you want the complete picture, keep an eye out for these companion series:

Rule of the Council

Focuses directly on the inner workings, politics, and power struggles of the Dark Council—the governing body overseeing vampires, mages, and werewolves in the series. It features books like Blood Ascension, Blood Betrayal, and Blood Rule.

Night Warden

Follows Grey Stryder, a rogue dark mage navigating his own dangerous path. This series offers a slightly darker, more spellcasting-focused look at the magic system and includes novels like Wander and Shadowstrut.

Iker the Cleaner

Centered on Iker the Unseen, a conflict-resolution professional whose job is to clean up supernatural messes quietly. Iker occasionally crosses paths with the main cast, making his series (including Iker the Unseen and Daystrider) a great companion read.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive in, it helps to understand the tone of the series. Orlando A. Sanchez wrote the Montague & Strong Case Files as a love letter to classic buddy-cop chemistry, martial arts action, and table-top roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons. The magic system is structured but flashy, and the stakes range from local street disputes to world-ending catastrophes. Despite the high-stakes dangers, the series is known for its lighthearted banter, focus on found family, and the beloved hellhound Peaches, who brings a comforting domestic humor to the otherwise gritty detective noir setting.