Books On Board
series Reading Order

Murderbot Diaries Books in Order

9 Books
2017 – 2023 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start Your Murderbot Journey

If you are new to the series, the absolute best place to start is the very first novella, All Systems Red. The heart of the Murderbot Diaries lies in the protagonist's gradual, complex emotional growth, social anxiety, and evolving relationships with humans and other AIs. Because of this deep character-driven progression, jumping ahead to later entries or novels like Network Effect is highly discouraged. Reading the books out of order will spoil major plot points and diminish the impact of Murderbot's hard-won personal growth.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For the most part, publication order matches the chronological events of the series. However, there are a few timeline quirks—particularly with the novella Fugitive Telemetry and several official short stories—that readers should keep in mind. Here is a breakdown of both reading paths to help you decide how to tackle the series.

Option 1: Recommended Chronological Reading Order

Many readers prefer reading the series chronologically because it creates a smoother narrative flow. Slotting the short stories and the timeline-displaced sixth novella into their correct in-universe positions helps contextualize character relationships before the high-stakes events of the first full-length novel, Network Effect.

  1. "Compulsory" (Short Story, 2018) — A prequel story that can be read first, though some suggest saving it for later as a bonus.
  2. All Systems Red (Novella, 2017) — The essential starting point.
  3. Artificial Condition (Novella, 2018) — Murderbot seeks answers about its past.
  4. Rogue Protocol (Novella, 2018) — Murderbot investigates a suspicious mining facility.
  5. Exit Strategy (Novella, 2018) — A rescue mission that wraps up the initial four-novella arc.
  6. "Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory" (Short Story, 2020) — Set immediately after Exit Strategy from Dr. Mensah's perspective.
  7. Fugitive Telemetry (Novella, 2021) — Chronologically set before Network Effect, focusing on a murder mystery on Preservation Station.
  8. Network Effect (Novel, 2020) — The first full-length novel in the series.
  9. System Collapse (Novel, 2023) — A direct continuation of the events in Network Effect.
  10. "Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy" (Short Story, 2025) — Chronologically set in the aftermath of Artificial Condition, but best read after Network Effect due to character spoilers.
  11. Platform Decay (Novella, 2026) — The latest adventure, set after the events of System Collapse.

Option 2: Publication Order

If you prefer to experience the series exactly as it was released and read by fans in real time, follow the publication order. The main drawback to this approach is that Fugitive Telemetry acts as a flashback, stepping backward in time after the dramatic climax of Network Effect.

  1. All Systems Red (2017)
  2. Artificial Condition (2018)
  3. Rogue Protocol (2018)
  4. Exit Strategy (2018)
  5. "Compulsory" (Short Story, 2018)
  6. Network Effect (Novel, 2020)
  7. "Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory" (Short Story, 2020)
  8. Fugitive Telemetry (Novella, 2021)
  9. System Collapse (Novel, 2023)
  10. "Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy" (Short Story, 2025)
  11. Platform Decay (Novella, 2026)

Understanding the Chronological Caveats

The Fugitive Telemetry Timeline Pivot

Although Fugitive Telemetry was published in 2021 (after the 2020 novel Network Effect), its events occur prior to Network Effect. In Fugitive Telemetry, Murderbot assists Preservation Station security with a murder investigation, representing a crucial period where the SecUnit is still adapting to life among humans. Reading it before Network Effect offers a more logical progression of Murderbot's comfort level on the station. However, reading it in publication order works well if you treat it as a fun, self-contained mystery flashback.

The Short Story Dilemma: "Compulsory" and "Rapport"

The short story "Compulsory" serves as a prequel to the entire series, showing Murderbot performing routine tasks while quietly resisting its programming. Because it is short and simple, it can be read first or saved as a fun piece of lore after finishing the first few novellas.

The 2025 short story "Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy" focuses on the transport vessel AI known as ART (Perihelion) and its crew. Although it takes place chronologically after the events of Artificial Condition, it is highly recommended to wait and read it after Network Effect. Reading it too early will spoil character introductions, relationship dynamics, and mission details that are central to the main novels.

Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown

All Systems Red (2017)

The series begins with a corporate-contracted planetary survey. Murderbot, a security android who has hacked its own governor module to gain autonomy, must protect a group of scientists while hiding its self-awareness. When a nearby mission goes silent, Murderbot has to step up.

Artificial Condition (2018)

Hoping to understand a dark incident in its past where it supposedly went rogue and killed its clients, Murderbot travels disguised as a cargo ship passenger. During the journey, it meets and forms an uneasy alliance with a massive, highly intelligent research transport vessel AI it nicknames ART.

Rogue Protocol (2018)

Murderbot continues to investigate the shady corporate actions of GrayCris. It travels to an abandoned mining facility to look for evidence, accompanied by a naive pet-like robot named Miki, which challenges Murderbot's cynical view of human-construct relationships.

Exit Strategy (2018)

When Murderbot discovers that its friend and former owner, Dr. Mensah, has been kidnapped by the hostile corporation GrayCris, it must return to corporate space to stage a daring rescue. This novella wraps up the first major narrative arc.

Network Effect (2020)

The first full-length novel in the series expands the scale significantly. When Murderbot and a group of humans from Preservation are captured by a mysterious spaceship, it leads to a reunion with its old friend ART and a high-stakes battle against alien contamination.

Fugitive Telemetry (2021)

A dead body is discovered on Preservation Station, and Murderbot is tasked with helping the local station security solve the mystery. This locked-room detective story showcases Murderbot's deductive skills and its struggle to build trust with local authorities.

System Collapse (2023)

Following the traumatic events of Network Effect, Murderbot must help a team of colonists secure their independence from a predatory corporation. However, the SecUnit is dealing with internal post-traumatic stress, which begins to affect its performance.

Platform Decay (2026)

In the eighth entry of the series, Murderbot joins forces with a fellow SecUnit known as "Three" for a rescue operation. Together, they must board a torus-shaped space station to save a group of humans trapped amidst corporate conflicts and administrative chaos.

What to Know Before You Start

The series takes place in a corporate-ruled dystopian future where the "Corporation Rim" dominates human life. Constructs (cyborg security guards made of organic tissue and robotic parts) are kept compliant using "governor modules" that control their actions and punish disobedience. The tone of the series is a unique mix of high-stakes science fiction action, corporate satire, and deep psychological exploration of trauma, identity, and neurodivergence. A television adaptation produced for Apple TV+ is also in development, highlighting the series' growing cultural footprint.

Can the Books Be Read as Standalones?

No, the books cannot be read as standalones. While each book features a distinct main plot—such as a rescue mission, a mystery, or an exploration task—the overarching character development, world-building details, and central cast carry over directly from one story to the next. Skipping any entry will leave you confused about character relationships and the evolution of Murderbot's status in the galaxy.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Murderbot Diaries?

You should start with the first novella, All Systems Red (2017). The series relies on character growth and sequential plotlines, so starting anywhere else will spoil the narrative.

QIs Fugitive Telemetry a novel or a novella, and where does it fit?

Fugitive Telemetry is a novella. Although published sixth, it is chronologically set before the novel Network Effect. Many readers recommend reading it between Exit Strategy and Network Effect.

QShould I read the short stories, and where do they fit?

Yes. "Compulsory" can be read first as a prequel. "Home" fits immediately after Exit Strategy. "Rapport" takes place early chronologically but should be read after Network Effect to avoid character spoilers.

QCan the Murderbot books be read as standalones?

No. While each book has a self-contained mission, the character growth, emotional arc, and recurring cast build directly from book to book, making them best read in sequence.

QWho is ART in the Murderbot series?

ART (short for "Asshole Research Transport") is the nickname Murderbot gives to Perihelion, a massive, highly intelligent, and snarky research ship AI that becomes Murderbot's closest ally.

QIs there a Murderbot TV show adaptation?

Yes, an adaptation of the series is in development for Apple TV+, which will bring Murderbot's sarcastic inner monologue and futuristic action to the screen.