Books On Board

The Cartel Books in Order

  • 11 Books
  • 2008 – 2023 Published

Amazon links here are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reading order
1 of 1 reading orders shown

Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path

If you are diving into the dramatic and blood-soaked streets of Miami created by Ashley and JaQuavis, the best way to experience the saga is in publication order. While there is a prequel that takes place before the events of the first book, starting with the original 2008 novel, The Cartel, is crucial. Beginning here allows you to experience the shockwaves of Carter Diamond's death and the subsequent rise of his illegitimate son, Carter Jones, alongside the original readers. The tension, the character introductions, and the gradual expansion of the Diamond family empire are designed to unfold in this exact sequence.

Reading the series out of order or starting with the prequel can spoil major character developments, alliances, and betrayals that drive the plot of the main novels. The co-authors build a complex web of loyalties that evolves across seven core books, before branching out into interconnected spin-offs that share the same gritty universe.

The Cartel Series in Publication Order

The core series follows the rise, fall, and turbulent legacy of the Diamond family. Below is the list of the main books, spin-offs, and sequels in their order of release, which is the most cohesive path for readers:

  1. The Cartel (2008) – The epic begins with the death of kingpin Carter Diamond, sparking a massive power struggle in Miami and introducing the legendary female hit squad, the Murder Mamas, led by the lethal Miamor.
  2. Tale of the Murda Mamas (2009) – The conflict intensifies as the Diamond family struggles to maintain control while facing internal betrayals and external threats from Miamor's crew.
  3. The Last Chapter (2010) – Also known as Cartel 3: The Final Chapter, this installment raises the stakes with Miamor captured and Carter Jones in federal custody, leaving Zyir and Mecca to hold the empire together.
  4. Diamonds Are Forever (2012) – The fourth book deals with the explosive fallout of the previous conflicts, proving that the Diamond family's legacy is impossible to escape.
  5. La Bella Mafia (2013) – The fifth book focuses heavily on the powerful women of the series taking charge and reshaping the criminal landscape. (Note: Some publisher databases list this with a 2014 release date, but 2013 remains the primary publication record).
  6. The Demise (2016) – The sixth entry chronicles the crumbling pillars of the empire as old enemies return to collect debts.
  7. Illuminati (2017) – The seventh book plunges the characters into a global conspiracy, connecting local street power with international cartels.
  8. Long Live The Cartel (2020) – The eighth main novel moves the narrative forward, focusing on the next generation of the Diamond family, including Carter Jones II (CJ) as he is pulled into the dangerous lifestyle of his father.
  9. Money Devils 1 (2020) – The first book in a major spin-off series, introducing the LaCroix sisters, whose con-artist exploits eventually intersect with the Cartel's world.
  10. Money Devils 2 (2021) – The continuation of the LaCroix sisters' story, deepening the connection to the broader Cartel universe.
  11. Cartel Queen: Aries Manifesto (2023) – A fresh branch written by JaQuavis Coleman, focusing on a retired queenpin named Aries who must defend her family in a deadly game of mental chess.

The Carter Diamond Prequel

For readers who want to understand the origins of the Diamond family empire, there is a dedicated prequel titled Carter Diamond: Before the Cartel He Stood Alone (often published in two parts around 2012–2015). This story details how a young Carter Diamond rose from the streets of Michigan to establish the multi-million dollar cocaine empire in Miami. While it provides excellent background context, it is highly recommended to read this after completing at least the first three books of the main series to appreciate the legacy characters fully.

Chronological vs. Publication Order

For readers who prefer a strict timeline approach, the chronological order shifts the prequel to the very beginning. Here is how that layout looks:

  • Carter Diamond: Before the Cartel He Stood Alone (Prequel)
  • The Cartel (Book 1)
  • Tale of the Murda Mamas (Book 2)
  • The Last Chapter (Book 3)
  • Diamonds Are Forever (Book 4)
  • La Bella Mafia (Book 5)
  • The Demise (Book 6)
  • Illuminati (Book 7)
  • Long Live The Cartel (Book 8)
  • Money Devils 1 & 2 (Spin-offs)
  • Cartel Queen: Aries Manifesto (Spin-off continuation)

While this chronological path highlights the historical rise of the Diamond family, the narrative flows much better when the prequel is treated as a flashback read after you are already invested in the characters' fates.

Expanding the Universe: The Spin-Offs

The Money Devils Series

The Money Devils books (released between 2020 and 2023) are not merely standalone projects; they are officially integrated into the Cartel's reading order by many fans. The series follows the LaCroix sisters—Haitian-American con artists who use a venture capitalist firm as a front. Their high-stakes operations eventually cross paths with characters from the main series, making these books essential reading for anyone wanting the full picture of the Miami underworld.

The Cartel Queen Series

Starting with Cartel Queen: Aries Manifesto, this subseries expands the family tree into new territory. The story focuses on Aries, a woman who successfully escaped the street life to raise her son in the Caribbean. When a wealthy tourist threatens her family, Aries is forced to tap back into her old criminal networks. It serves as an excellent continuation of the franchise's themes of survival, power, and loyalty, showing how far a mother will go to protect her own.

What to Know Before You Start

Before jumping in, readers should be prepared for the raw, fast-paced, and explicit nature of Street Lit. Ashley and JaQuavis do not sugarcoat the violence, betrayal, or sexual tension inherent in the drug trade. The authors draw heavy inspiration from their own upbringing in Flint, Michigan, which gives the prose its signature authenticity and noir-like realism. Additionally, because the books are co-authored, they feature a dynamic blend of perspectives, particularly between the male and female characters, giving the series a unique depth that sets it apart from other urban fiction titles.

Frequently Asked

Can the Cartel books be read as standalones?

No. The Cartel series is a continuous, heavily serialized saga. Reading the books out of order will result in major spoilers and confusion regarding character deaths, alliances, and ongoing plotlines.

Where does the prequel Carter Diamond fit in the reading order?

While it takes place chronologically first, it is best read as a flashback after completing The Last Chapter (Book 3) or Diamonds Are Forever (Book 4) to better appreciate the character dynamics.

How do the Money Devils books connect to the main Cartel series?

The Money Devils series is a spin-off focusing on the LaCroix sisters. Their con-artist schemes eventually intersect directly with the characters and criminal syndicates of the main Cartel books.

Is the Cartel Queen series a direct sequel to the main books?

It is a new branch of the universe. It features a new protagonist, Aries, but is set within the same high-stakes criminal underworld established in the original series.

Who wrote the Cartel book series?

The series is co-authored by the bestselling husband-and-wife duo Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman (writing as Ashley & JaQuavis).

Are there visual or screen adaptations of The Cartel?

While there have been multiple announcements and options picked up for film and TV adaptations over the years, no official screen adaptation has been released yet.