Books On Board

Tarkers Hollow Mystery Books in Order

  • 14 Books
  • 2011 – 2018 Published

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How to Read the Tarkers Hollow Mystery Series

The Tarkers Hollow Mystery series, also known as the Tales from Tarker's Hollow, is a collection of standalone paranormal romance novellas written by USA Today bestselling author Tasha Black. Set in a quirky college town where humans, shifters, witches, and ghosts coexist, these books combine lighthearted mystery-solving with passionate romance. Because each novella focuses on a different couple and a self-contained investigation, the reading order is highly flexible. However, reading them in publication order allows you to see the town and its recurring characters develop naturally.

Recommended Reading Order

  1. Ghost of Shifters Past (2015) - The story introduces Bonnie Summers, a lonely shifter who uncovers a dark mystery with the help of a mysterious spirit, leading to an unexpected romance.
  2. The Talented Mr. MacGregor (2015) - Focuses on JD MacGregor, the mild-mannered alpha (and pack beta) who must navigate a murder mystery at a dinner party while keeping his own wild instincts under control during a full moon.
  3. The Clockwork Dragon (2015) - Marie must solve the puzzle of a magical clockwork gift to unlock her hidden powers and save her family, all while falling for a charming stranger.
  4. Hounded (2015) - A paranormal twist on the classic Sherlock Holmes tale. It pairs empath Dulcie Alette with bad-boy shifter Van Blanco to solve a mysterious murder.
  5. Nobody's Home (2011/2016) - Follows Adia Booth, a real estate agent trying to ignore her supernatural gift, who gets caught up in a haunting presence inside an empty house.

Tarkers Hollow: The Broader Reading Order

While the mystery novellas can be read as standalones, they are set within the larger World of Tarker's Hollow. If you want to experience the complete chronological narrative arc of the town and its main characters, you should read the core serials in a specific order before diving into the standalone collections.

The Core Serials (Chronological Order)

Unlike the standalone mysteries, these three multi-part serials follow a single, continuous storyline and must be read in order:

  1. Curse of the Alpha (Episodes 1–6) (2014) - The series that started it all, introducing readers to the magical town and the central conflicts of the local shifter pack.
  2. Fate of the Alpha (Episodes 1–3) (2014–2015) - The direct sequel saga continuing the pack's struggles and romances.
  3. Heir to the Alpha (Episodes 1–6) (2017) - The final core serial that wraps up the main generational narrative of the pack's leadership.

Standalone Collections & Spin-Offs

Once you have finished the core serials, or if you simply want to enjoy standalone stories set in the same universe, you can read the following collections in any order:

  • Tales from Tarker's Hollow / Tarkers Hollow Mystery: The cozy romance mysteries detailed above.
  • 300 Moons Series: A collection of standalone paranormal romance stories that expand the lore of the town.
  • Seasoned Shifters Series: Romances focusing on older, more experienced supernatural residents of Tarker's Hollow.
  • Single Daddy Shifters Series: Heartwarming stories centered around shifter fathers finding love in the town.

What to Know Before You Start

Tarker's Hollow is a fictional, cozy Victorian college town that feels like a character in its own right. The author, Tasha Black, drew inspiration from her own life in a historic Victorian home to construct the town's vivid, magical atmosphere. The tone of the books balances lighthearted, cozy mystery elements with explicit, steamy romance, making it a perfect fit for fans of paranormal romance who enjoy a touch of suspense.

If you are new to the world, the safest starting point is Curse of the Alpha, as it establishes the rules of the town's shifter society and introduces prominent characters like JD MacGregor, who later appears in The Talented Mr. MacGregor. However, if you prefer a quick, low-commitment mystery, starting directly with Ghost of Shifters Past is a perfectly fine choice.

Frequently Asked

Where should I start reading the Tarker's Hollow books?

If you want the full, chronological story of the town, start with the complete serial Curse of the Alpha. If you prefer standalone romance mysteries, you can start directly with the novella Ghost of Shifters Past.

Do I need to read the core serials to understand the Tarkers Hollow Mystery books?

No. The mysteries (such as The Talented Mr. MacGregor and Hounded) are written as standalones. However, reading Curse of the Alpha first provides helpful context on the town's pack dynamics and recurring side characters.

How many books are in the Tarkers Hollow Mystery series?

The mystery collection, officially published as Tales from Tarker's Hollow, contains five main novellas: Ghost of Shifters Past, The Talented Mr. MacGregor, The Clockwork Dragon, Hounded, and Nobody's Home.

Who is JD MacGregor?

JD MacGregor is the mild-mannered alpha and pack beta who is a central character in the main serials. He stars in his own standalone mystery, The Talented Mr. MacGregor, where he attempts to solve a murder during a dinner party.

What is the order of the core Tarker's Hollow serials?

The core storyline must be read in this sequence: Curse of the Alpha (Episodes 1–6), followed by Fate of the Alpha (Episodes 1–3), and concluding with Heir to the Alpha (Episodes 1–6).