Start Here: The Recommended Reading Order
For readers diving into the bleak, character-rich world of The Scattered and The Dead, the authors Tim McBain and L.T. Vargus have made the reading order straightforward. Unlike some series where you must choose between publication sequence or narrative chronology, this series is designed to be read in strict numerical order. The decimal books (0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 2.6) are not skippable side stories; they serve as critical bridges that expand the lore, build character motivations, and connect major plotlines.
By following the numerical path, you will experience the non-linear narrative exactly as the authors intended, building a mosaic of the apocalypse across multiple decades and perspectives.
- Book 0.5 (Published in 2016) – The essential prequel novella focusing on Decker.
- Book 1 (Published in 2016) – The core novel introducing the primary ensemble cast.
- Book 1.5 (Published in 2016) – A bridge novella exploring the psychological toll of isolation.
- Book 2 (Published in 2016) – A full-length sequel centering on the collapse and early attempts to rebuild.
- Book 2.5 (Published in 2017) – A crucial mid-series expansion focusing on Izzy and Delfino.
- Book 2.6 (Published in 2018) – The final transitional novella setting up the ultimate conflict.
- Book 3 (Published in 2020) – The epic, series-concluding novel.
Detailed Breakdown of the Books
Book 0.5: The Prequel Journal
Though labeled as a prequel, Book 0.5 is the perfect entry point. It introduces Decker, an introverted man whose attempts to connect with his neighbor are interrupted by the collapse of civilization. Written as a series of diary entries, this novella establishes the haunting, quiet tone of the series, showing the immediate psychological shock of the outbreak before the wider chaos begins.
Book 1: The Circle Widens
Book 1 expands the narrative canvas dramatically. Rather than focusing on a single hero, the authors introduce a diverse ensemble: Mitch, a father desperate to prepare his young sons for survival while harboring his own dark secret; Erin, a teenage girl forced to protect an orphaned child; and Baghead, a mysterious survivor who navigates the post-apocalyptic world with a burlap sack over his head nine years after the initial fall. This book jumps across timelines, showing how various choices ripple outward.
Book 1.5: The Toll of Isolation
This intermediate novella functions as a character study, diving deep into the mental state of survivors grappling with absolute solitude. In a world where 99.7% of the human population has been wiped out, Book 1.5 highlights how isolation can be just as deadly as the infected roaming the streets.
Book 2: Rebuilding Amidst Ruins
In Book 2, the survivors attempt to construct a semblance of society. The narrative focuses on the clash between different factions and the moral compromises required to keep communities safe. The physical danger of the infected remains, but the primary threat shifts to the remaining humans and the corrupting nature of power.
Book 2.5 & Book 2.6: The Bridge to the End
These two installments focus on the expanding journeys of secondary characters, including Izzy and Delfino. Rather than being filler, these stories provide the political and emotional context needed to understand the high stakes of the final book. They trace the migration of survivors and the inevitable collision course of the remaining factions.
Book 3: The Final Stand
The series culminates in Book 3, which brings the non-linear timelines and scattered character arcs to a definitive, emotional conclusion. It answers the long-running questions regarding the origins of the virus, the fate of Decker's early journals, and whether humanity has a future or is doomed to slow extinction.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because the authors released the books in the exact order they should be read, the publication order and chronological sequence are identical. Tim McBain and L.T. Vargus designed the series to jump back and forth in time within each book to create a puzzle-like narrative. Reading the prequel Book 0.5 first is highly recommended by fans and the authors alike because it introduces key concepts and formatting styles that make the main novels easier to follow.
For readers who prefer to buy in bulk, the first four books (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) have been compiled into a single omnibus edition, making it easy to start the journey without buying individual novellas.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into The Scattered and The Dead, it is helpful to adjust your expectations away from traditional zombie survival fiction. While there are infected creatures, they serve primarily as a catalyst for human drama rather than the focus of the story. The narrative is heavily character-driven, told through diary entries, letters, and memories. The prose is stark, atmospheric, and prioritizes psychological realism over action-movie style action sequences. Additionally, the non-linear timeline means you will see characters at different stages of their lives, requiring you to piece together the events like a puzzle.