Books On Board

Secret Histories Books in Order

  • 12 Books
  • 2007 – 2018 Published

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How to Read the Secret Histories Series

Simon R. Green's Secret Histories series is a high-octane mashup of urban fantasy, science fiction, and espionage. The series follows Edwin "Eddie" Drood—known to the outside world as Shaman Bond—a member of an ancient, secretive family dedicated to policing humanity's supernatural borders. Armed with magical armor called the golden torc and an arsenal of cosmic weapons, Eddie navigates internal family betrayals, extradimensional horrors, and standard-issue spy intrigue.

Because the main storyline follows a direct narrative arc with significant character growth and world-altering events, the best way to read the series is in publication order. Skipping books will leave you lost as the Drood family's dynamics shift dramatically and the stakes escalate from simple field operations to full-scale dimensional war.

The Recommended Reading Order

Here is the recommended reading path for the Secret Histories. This order includes the twelve main novels and places the essential novella, Question of Solace, in its proper chronological position.

  1. The Man with the Golden Torc (2007) – Eddie is declared rogue by his own family and must go on the run to clear his name.
  2. Daemons Are Forever (2008) – Eddie faces humanity's worst nightmare: the soul-stealing entities known as the Loathly Ones.
  3. The Spy Who Haunted Me (2009) – A supernatural espionage race pits Eddie against rival agencies for a world-threatening weapon.
  4. From Hell with Love (2010) – A family funeral triggers a deadly treasure hunt through the bizarre underbelly of the magical world.
  5. For Heaven's Eyes Only (2011) – Eddie goes undercover in a supernatural casino to prevent a cosmic auction of terrifying proportions.
  6. Live and Let Drood (2012) – The family patriarch is dead, and the battle to control the Drood empire threatens to tear the world apart.
  7. Casino Infernale (2013) – A trip to the legendary Casino Infernale pits Eddie against the ultimate forces of darkness.
  8. Property of a Lady Faire (2014) – Eddie is sent to find the legendary Lady Faire, leading to deep secrets about the origin of the Droods.
  9. Question of Solace (2014) – A key novella centering on the Drood family's armorer as he reflects on his bloody career at the end of his life. Read this either before or concurrently with the first half of From a Drood to a Kill.
  10. From a Drood to a Kill (2015) – The family faces a massive internal reckoning, with Eddie struggling to preserve their core mission.
  11. Dr. DOA (2016) – Eddie is poisoned with a slow-acting, inescapable toxin and has only hours to find the perpetrator.
  12. Moonbreaker (2017) – A trip beyond the atmosphere as Eddie takes the fight to the moon to stop an extraterrestrial threat.
  13. Night Fall (2018) – The grand finale of the series, featuring a massive crossover where the Droods clash with the dark realm of the Nightside.

Chronological Caveats and the Shared Multiverse

While the main novels follow a straightforward progression, the series is deeply embedded in Simon R. Green's larger, interconnected universe. Green's major urban fantasy franchises—Secret Histories, the Nightside series, and the Ghost Finders—frequently cross paths, sharing lore, references, and characters. Understanding how they connect can make your reading experience much richer.

The Crossover Timeline

The shared universe connections culminate in the final book, Night Fall (2018). This novel is not just the conclusion of Eddie Drood's story, but also serves as the final book for the Nightside series (which follows John Taylor) and wraps up storylines from the Ghost Finders (centered on the Carnacki Institute). While you do not need to read all 12 Nightside books or all 6 Ghost Finders books to enjoy Secret Histories, doing so adds profound weight to the apocalyptic events of the finale.

Where to Place the Novella

The standalone novella Question of Solace was first published in Green's 2014 short story collection, Tales from the Hidden World. Chronologically, the events of this story run parallel to the first half of the ninth novel, From a Drood to a Kill. Because it shifts perspective to focus on the Droods' armorer rather than Eddie, reading it just before or during your progress through From a Drood to a Kill provides the best thematic experience without disrupting the narrative flow.

What to Know Before You Start

If you are jumping into the Secret Histories for the first time, keep these practical points in mind:

  • The Tone: Green writes with a highly stylized, fast-paced, and deliberately campy tone. It pays homage to classic Cold War spy thrillers (especially Ian Fleming's James Bond novels) while simultaneously parodying them with absurd magical concepts and horror tropes.
  • The Golden Torc: The Droods' primary power source is a golden collar worn around the neck. When activated, it covers the user in a living, metallic armor that grants superhuman strength, speed, durability, and a wide array of scanning sensors. It is essentially magical power armor.
  • The Romantic Arc: The relationship between Eddie Drood and the powerful witch Molly Metcalf is central to the series. Their banter and mutual loyalty provide the emotional anchor for the narrative amidst the chaotic action.
  • The Ending: Unlike many open-ended urban fantasy series, Secret Histories has a definitive conclusion. Green intentionally wrapped up the series with Night Fall, leaving readers with a complete and self-contained story arc.

Frequently Asked

Where should I start reading the Secret Histories series?

You should start with the first novel, The Man with the Golden Torc. The series follows a continuous overarching plot with permanent consequences, so starting anywhere else will spoil major twists and leave you confused.

Do I need to read the Nightside books to understand Secret Histories?

No, you can read and enjoy the entire Secret Histories series on its own. However, reading the Nightside series first makes the final crossover novel, Night Fall, much more rewarding since it features major characters and resolutions from both series.

Is Shaman Bond the same character as Eddie Drood?

Yes. Shaman Bond is the undercover alias Edwin "Eddie" Drood uses when operating in the wider supernatural community to hide his affiliation with the mysterious and feared Drood family.

What is the novella 'Question of Solace' and when should I read it?

Question of Solace is a companion novella focusing on the Drood family's aging armorer. It is set concurrently with the first half of the ninth novel, From a Drood to a Kill, which is the best time to read it.

Is the Secret Histories series finished?

Yes. Simon R. Green officially completed the main story arc of the series with the twelfth novel, Night Fall, in 2018.