How to Read the Sentinels of New Orleans Series
The Sentinels of New Orleans series, penned by Suzanne Johnson (who also writes paranormal romance under the pseudonym Susannah Sandlin), is best read in publication order. Because the series features tight continuity, ongoing character growth, and escalating political tension between magical factions, reading the books out of order will spoil major plot points and relationship developments for protagonist Drusilla "DJ" Jaco.
Sentinels of New Orleans Reading Order
Here is the recommended reading path for the series, including the core novels and the essential companion collection:
- Royal Street (2012) – The series opener introduces DJ Jaco, a junior wizard sentinel tasked with managing the magical border leaks in post-Katrina New Orleans. When her mentor Gerry St. Simon goes missing, she must find him while dealing with undead pirates and warring preternatural species.
- River Road (2012) – DJ is caught in the middle of magical contamination in the Mississippi River, rising tensions with the local Cajun merpeople, and her own complicated love life.
- Elysian Fields (2013) – The stakes rise dramatically when an undead serial killer begins stalking the French Quarter, forcing DJ to make uneasy alliances to protect her city.
- Pirateship Down (2015) – A vital companion collection of short stories and extra content. The titular novella in this collection chronologically takes place between the events of Book 3 and Book 4, following the undead pirate Jean Lafitte.
- Pirate's Alley (2015) – DJ faces the complex politics of the Interspecies Council, which threatens the fragile peace of the Crescent City.
- Belle Chasse (2016) – DJ is forced to retreat to the historic plantation areas outside the city limits as old enemies and new magical threats push her to her limits.
- Frenchman Street (2018) – The sixth and final full-length novel, bringing DJ Jaco's primary character arc and the overarching supernatural conflict to a satisfying conclusion.
Chronological Caveats and Companion Content
For readers who want to experience the complete timeline, the short stories and companion pieces add significant flavor to the main novels. The primary companion volume is Pirateship Down (Book 4.5). It is not a traditional novel but rather an anthology containing:
- The Titular Novella: "Pirateship Down" follows the legendary undead pirate Jean Lafitte on a road trip to the bayous of Cajun country to reclaim his sunken vessel, Le Diligent.
- Bonus Short Stories: Includes stories such as "Talk Like a Pirate," "Alex, the Pig" (which takes place between River Road and Elysian Fields), and "Cat Mon Dieu."
- Louisiana Lagniappe: "Lagniappe" is a local term for a little extra gift. In this book, it includes a guide to the series' magical multiverse, character profiles, recipes, and real historical facts about Jean Lafitte.
A planned follow-up story collection titled Jackson Square was announced for a late 2020 release, though print availability remains limited. For the best narrative flow, read the companion stories in Pirateship Down after finishing Elysian Fields and before starting Pirate's Alley.
What to Know Before You Start
Suzanne Johnson draws heavily on her background as a longtime New Orleans resident and veteran journalist to paint an authentic, atmospheric picture of the city's post-Katrina recovery. The devastating storm is the literal catalyst for the series' magic system: the hurricane weakened the boundary between our world and the "Beyond," allowing magic and preternatural creatures to bleed into the French Quarter and surrounding bayous.
Key elements that make this series stand out include:
- The Historical Undead: Rather than typical mindless zombies or ghosts, the series features the spirits of famous historical figures (like Jean Lafitte) who reside in a parallel version of the city known as "Old Orleans."
- Vibrant Local Culture: The books read like a love letter to New Orleans, featuring real neighborhoods, Cajun folklore, local voodoo traditions, and the unique geography of the Mississippi River delta.
- A Relatable Heroine: DJ Jaco is a down-to-earth protagonist who struggles with realistic issues alongside her magical duties, from paying her bills in a recovering city to navigating complex romantic tension with both a wizard and a shape-shifter.