Books On Board

Queen Betsy/Undead Books in Order

  • 22 Books
  • 2002 – 2017 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Reading Path

If you are diving into the world of Elizabeth 'Betsy' Taylor, the absolute best way to read the series is in publication order. Because the books follow a linear timeline tracking Betsy's transition from a fashion-obsessed former secretary to the prophesied Queen of the Vampires (and eventually the Ruler of Hell), reading them out of order will spoil major relationship dynamics, character deaths, and cosmic developments.

While the core series consists of 16 main novels, MaryJanice Davidson also wrote several crucial novellas and short stories that flesh out the supporting cast. Reading the novels sequentially is enough to understand the main arc, but slotting the short stories in chronologically provides the most complete and rewarding experience.

The Complete Queen Betsy / Undead Publication Order

Here is the full list of Queen Betsy works in order of release, including where the anthologies and short stories fit into the broader publishing history:

  1. Undead and Unwed (2004 / local database: 2002) – The book that started it all. Betsy Taylor wakes up dead on her 30th birthday, only to find out she is vampire royalty.
  2. Dead Girls Don't Dance (2004) – A short story originally featured in the Cravings anthology. It takes place between the first and second novels.
  3. Undead and Unemployed (2004) – Betsy struggles with her royal status and takes a job at Macy's shoe department to maintain some normalcy.
  4. Undead and Unappreciated (2005) – Betsy deals with her half-sister Laura (who happens to be the Antichrist) and her first trip to Hell.
  5. Undead and Unreturnable (2005) – A Christmas-themed installment where Betsy juggles wedding planning, new step-relatives, and murder.
  6. Undead and Unpopular (2006) – Betsy travels to Cape Cod to plan a wedding for her friend, only to get caught in vampire politics.
  7. Undead and Uneasy (2007) – The highly anticipated wedding of Betsy Taylor and the vampire king, Eric Sinclair.
  8. Undead and Unworthy (2008) – Married life brings new responsibilities, domestic drama, and a mutiny within the vampire ranks.
  9. The Incredible Misadventures of Boo and the Boy Blunder (2009) – A spin-off novella focusing on secondary characters, set around the time of the eighth novel.
  10. Undead and Unwelcome (2009) – Betsy copes with personal grief and gets tangled up in werewolf pack politics.
  11. Undead and Unfinished (2010) – Betsy and Laura travel back in time to uncover secrets about Sinclair's dark history.
  12. Undead and Undermined (2011) – Time-travel consequences and family secrets continue to threaten Betsy's reign.
  13. Undead and Unstable (2012) – Betsy deals with a zombie outbreak and growing unrest in the supernatural community.
  14. Undead and Underwater (2013) – A crossover novella where Betsy meets Fred the Mermaid.
  15. Undead and Unsure (2013) – Betsy must descend into Hell to resolve a major soul crisis.
  16. Undead and Unwary (2014) – Betsy confronts a dangerous splinter faction of vampires who oppose her rule.
  17. Undead and Unforgiven (2015) – Laura the Antichrist takes center stage, and multiple crossover characters help Betsy protect her family.
  18. Undead and Done (2016) – The initial series finale that wraps up Betsy's long-standing reign over vampires and Hell.
  19. Unwavering (2017) – A short story offering a post-finale look at the characters, later compiled into the collection Undead and Unmistakable.
  20. Undead and Unmistakable (2017) – A collection of short stories and novellas set in the Undead universe.
  21. Unreliable (2018) – A spin-off short story set after the main series events.
  22. Undead AF (2023) – The surprise 16th novel. Betsy faces her Jubilee, her mother's illness, and global vampires demanding to know her secrets.

Chronological Order & Crossover Caveats

For readers who want to experience the timeline strictly as it happens, the order remains mostly identical to publication order, with the short stories positioned between the novels. Note the following key placements:

  • Dead Girls Don't Dance: Read this right after Undead and Unwed (Book 1) and before Undead and Unemployed (Book 2).
  • The Incredible Misadventures of Boo and the Boy Blunder: Read this between Undead and Unworthy (Book 7) and Undead and Unwelcome (Book 8).
  • Undead and Underwater: Read this after Undead and Unstable (Book 11) and before Undead and Unsure (Book 12).
  • Unwavering & Unreliable: Read these after Undead and Done (Book 15) to bridge the gap before starting Undead AF (Book 16).

The Davidson-Verse: Wyndham Werewolves and Fred the Mermaid

MaryJanice Davidson's paranormal series exist within a shared universe. Characters from her other series frequently cross over into Betsy's world, especially in the later books. If you want to experience the complete 'Davidson-Verse,' you should also look into these companion series:

Wyndham Werewolves

The Wyndham Werewolf series focuses on the local pack of werewolves. Members of this pack appear in Betsy's life during Undead and Unwelcome and Undead and Unforgiven. The core books are:

  • Derik's Bane (2005)
  • Wolf at the Door (2011)

Fred the Mermaid

Fred (Fredrika) is a snarky mermaid who meets Betsy in the crossover novella Undead and Underwater. She later assists Betsy in the main novels. Her trilogy consists of:

  • Sleeping with the Fishes (2006)
  • Swimming Without a Net (2007)
  • Fish Out of Water (2008)

What to Know Before You Start

The Queen Betsy series is widely credited with helping popularize 'paranormal chick-lit' in the early 2000s. Unlike standard, dark urban fantasy, Davidson's work is heavily comedic, fast-paced, and relies on romantic comedy tropes mixed with absurd supernatural elements (such as Hell being structured like a shopping mall with a Macy's department store). Expect high-camp humor, explicit romance, and a main character who openly prioritizes designer shoes over saving the world. For the best experience, start with the first novel, embrace the ridiculousness, and follow the publication list to watch Betsy's chaotic journey unfold.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting point for the Queen Betsy series?

The best place to start is the very first novel, Undead and Unwed. The series follows a tight chronological sequence, so starting elsewhere will spoil major plot points.

Are the Wyndham Werewolves and Fred the Mermaid books required reading?

No, they are not required to understand Betsy's main story. However, characters from both series make guest appearances in the later Undead books, so reading them adds fun context to the crossovers.

Is the Queen Betsy series completed?

While the series originally concluded with Undead and Done in 2016, MaryJanice Davidson surprise-released a 16th book, Undead AF, in August 2023.

Where does the novella 'Undead and Underwater' fit in?

It fits between book 11 (Undead and Unstable) and book 12 (Undead and Unsure). It is a crossover novella where Betsy meets Fred the Mermaid.

Who is Laura in the series?

Laura is Betsy Taylor's half-sister, who is revealed in Undead and Unappreciated to be the Antichrist. She becomes a central character throughout the rest of the series.