Nightside Books in Order

Where to Start Your Nightside Journey

For readers looking to dive into the neon-lit, noir-infused streets of the Nightside, the recommended starting point is the very first novel, Something from the Nightside (2003). Simon R. Green structured the series as a continuous narrative following private investigator John Taylor, whose unique gift for finding lost things drags him into the darkest mysteries of this hidden London netherworld.

Because the overarching plot regarding John Taylor's mysterious parentage and the destiny of the Nightside develops incrementally across each book, reading the series in publication order is highly recommended. The main sequence consists of 12 novels, concluding with The Bride Wore Black Leather in 2012.

Nightside Main Series in Publication Order

Here is the complete order of the main novels as they were published. Note that while each book features a self-contained case or supernatural mystery, the background lore and recurring characters evolve significantly from one installment to the next:

1. Something from the Nightside (2003) – Introduces John Taylor as he returns to the Nightside to locate a runaway girl.
2. Agents of Light and Darkness (2003) – Taylor searches for the Unholy Grail while dodging competing celestial and infernal agents.
3. Nightingale's Lament (2004) – An investigation into a siren-like singer whose music drives listeners to suicide.
4. Hex and the City (2005) – Taylor delves into the ancient origins and founding myths of the Nightside itself.
5. Paths Not Taken (2005) – A time-traveling investigation where Taylor must go back to prevent a catastrophic future.
6. Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth (2006) – John Taylor faces his mother, Lilith, in a struggle for the survival of the Nightside.
7. Hell to Pay (2006) – Taylor deals with the fallout of a power vacuum in the Nightside's ruling elite.
8. The Unnatural Inquirer (2007/2008) – A case involving a supernatural tabloid and a DVD that claims to show the afterlife.
9. Just Another Judgement Day (2008/2009) – The arrival of the cosmic punisher known as the Walking Man threatens to cleanse the Nightside.
10. The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny (2010) – Taylor navigates the complex politics of the transitioning authorities in the Nightside.
11. A Hard Day's Knight (2011) – Taylor is hired to protect a legendary knight’s armor from falling into the wrong hands.
12. The Bride Wore Black Leather (2012) – The final novel, wrapping up Taylor's career with a high-stakes supernatural wedding investigation.

Short Stories and the "Tales from the Nightside" Collection

In addition to the main novels, Simon R. Green wrote several short stories set in the Nightside universe. In 2015, these were compiled into the anthology Tales from the Nightside. While these stories expand on side characters and explore different corners of the perpetual-midnight setting, they are not strictly necessary to follow the main plot. However, they add rich texture for dedicated fans.

The stories collected in the anthology include:

• "The Nightside, Needless to Say" (originally published in 2004)
• "Razor Eddie's Big Night Out" (originally published in 2006)
• "Appetite for Murder" (originally published in 2008)
• "Some of These Cons Go Way Back" (originally published in 2009)
• "The Difference a Day Makes" (originally published in 2010)
• "Hungry Hearts" (originally published in 2011)
• "The Spirit of the Thing" (originally published in 2011)
• "How Do You Feel" (originally published in 2012)
• "Dorothy's Dream" (originally published in 2013)
• "The Big Game" (an original novella written specifically for the collection)

For readers who want a chronological experience, "The Nightside, Needless to Say" is best read early in the series, while "The Big Game" features John Taylor and serves as a nice post-series coda.

Understanding the Crossover: Secret Histories and the Grand Finale

Simon R. Green is famous for placing his urban fantasy, science fiction, and dark fantasy series within the same shared multiverse. The Nightside shares a universe with the Secret Histories series (which follows the supernatural secret agent Eddie Drood), the Ghost Finders series (following the paranormal investigators of the Carnacki Institute), and even his space-opera series Deathstalker (referenced in passing myths).

While you can read all 12 Nightside books without touching these other series, they eventually cross paths in a major way. The ultimate crossover occurs in Night Fall (2018), which is the 12th and final novel of the Secret Histories series. In this climax, Simon R. Green pits the Drood family directly against the denizens of the Nightside, bringing John Taylor, Shotgun Suzie, Razor Eddie, and other key figures back into action. To get the most out of this massive crossover, it is best to complete the main Nightside series and the Secret Histories series before reading Night Fall.

What to Know Before You Start

The Nightside is not a standard urban fantasy setting. It is a pocket dimension hidden within the heart of London, where the sun never shines and it is always 3:00 a.m. This pocket dimension acts as a sanctuary and playground for gods, demons, mythological monsters, and rogue magic-users. The tone of the series is a deliberate blend of hardboiled pulp noir, pitch-black humor, and wildly creative supernatural concepts.

John Taylor himself is not a conventional spellcaster. His gift is simple yet incredibly powerful: he can find anything. Whether it is a physical object, a hidden truth, or a weakness in an opponent's magical defenses, Taylor's gift allows him to bypass typical magical limitations, though using it often draws unwanted attention to himself.

As you read, expect a fast, episodic pace, brief but punchy chapters, and an array of eccentric supporting characters who steal the show—most notably Razor Eddie (the Punk God of the Straight Razor) and Shotgun Suzie (a lethal bounty hunter who eventually becomes Taylor's closest ally and love interest).