Books On Board

True Stories Books in Order

  • 16 Books
  • 1992 – 2012 Published

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Reading order
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Where to Start Reading True Stories

For readers diving into the spine-chilling world of Terry Deary’s True Stories (later rebranded as Terribly True Stories), the most important thing to know is that every book in the series is a standalone collection. Because these books are anthologies of bizarre, real-world historical accounts arranged by theme, there is no overarching character arc, continuous plot, or chronological storyline that spans from one volume to the next.

This structure gives you the freedom to choose your own path. However, if you are looking for the absolute best way to experience the evolution of the series, we recommend three distinct starting points:

  • The Historic Starting Point: Start at the very beginning with True Monster Stories (1992). This book established Deary’s signature blend of historical documentation, skeptical humor, and eerie folklore that defined the rest of the run.
  • The Fan Favorites: For readers who love spooky atmospheres and classical mysteries, beginning with True Ghost Stories (1995) or True Crime Stories (1994) offers the most gripping narrative hooks.
  • The Modern Rebrand: If you are looking for updated formatting and cover art, you can jump straight to the 2006 Scholastic rebrands, beginning with Terribly True Crime Stories or Terribly True Ghost Stories.

Publication Order of the True Stories Books

If you prefer to follow the development of Terry Deary's narrative style, reading the books in order of their original publication is a fantastic approach. Below is the complete listing of the books as they were released, including key omnibus and rebranded editions:

  1. True Monster Stories (1992) – The debut collection exploring tales of legendary beasts, vampires, and monsters.
  2. True Horror Stories (1993) – A dive into historical events that feel like horror films.
  3. True Crime Stories (1994) – A rogue's gallery focusing on highwaymen, pirates, and historical outlaws.
  4. True Shark Stories (1995) – Thrilling real-life encounters and survival tales from the deep ocean.
  5. True Ghost Stories (1995) – Haunting tales, poltergeists, and apparitions complete with historical investigative details.
  6. True Detective Stories (1996) – Chronicling real-life sleuths and how they solved historical mysteries.
  7. True UFO Stories (1997) – Looking at documented sightings and encounters with the extraterrestrial.
  8. True Spy Stories (1998) – An inside look at espionage from ancient times through World War II.
  9. True Horror Stories / True Monster Stories / True Ghost Stories Omnibus (1998) – A massive three-in-one compilation of the earliest supernatural titles.
  10. True War Stories (1998) – Gritty, extraordinary accounts of heroism and survival in battle.
  11. True Disaster Stories (1999) – Tales of earthquakes, shipwrecks, and catastrophic events.
  12. Terribly True Crime Stories (2006) – The updated Scholastic edition featuring revised crime stories.
  13. Terribly True Disaster Stories (2006) – A refreshed version of the 1999 disaster anthology.
  14. Terribly True Shark Stories (2006) – A re-release of the shark encounters with updated packaging.
  15. Terribly True Ghost Stories (2006) – A revamped edition of the 1995 ghost compilation.
  16. True Mystery Stories (2012) – The modern addition to the series exploring unsolved historical conundrums.

The Rebrand: True Stories vs. Terribly True Stories

Many readers look at the listing of Terry Deary's work and find themselves confused by the parallel existence of True Stories and Terribly True Stories. In 2006, Scholastic repackaged several of the most popular 1990s titles under the new Terribly True branding to make them appeal to a new generation of readers.

These 2006 editions are not completely new books, but rather updated printings. They feature different illustrations, updated cover designs, and occasional minor revisions in text to better fit the contemporary reading tastes of young adults. If you already own the 1990s editions, you do not need to seek out the 2006 versions unless you are a dedicated collector looking to own every printed variant.

What to Know Before You Start

Terry Deary is globally celebrated as the mastermind behind the massive Horrible Histories franchise. While True Stories shares that series' signature wit, dark humor, and love for the macabre, there are a few key differences to keep in mind before you start reading:

  • Format: Unlike the short snippet, comic-strip, and list-heavy format of Horrible Histories, the True Stories books consist of fully realized, longer narrative tales. Each chapter feels more like a short story or historical novella.
  • Tone: Deary takes a conspiratorial and skeptical approach. He presents the documented facts, details the folklore or local rumors, and then invites the reader to critically analyze the sources. It is as much about teaching critical thinking as it is about entertainment.
  • Illustrations: The classic editions of the series are brought to life by the evocative illustrations of David Wyatt, giving the historical settings an atmospheric, sometimes spooky depth that matches the text perfectly.

Frequently Asked

Do you need to read the True Stories books in order?

No, the books are entirely standalone. Each book focuses on a different theme (like spies, ghosts, or crime) and contains self-contained historical short stories, allowing you to read them in any order you choose.

What is the difference between True Stories and Terribly True Stories?

The Terribly True Stories books published in 2006 are repackaged and slightly updated editions of the original True Stories books from the 1990s, updated for a newer generation of readers by Scholastic.

Are Terry Deary's True Stories completely factual?

The books are based on real historical events and documented accounts, but Deary frequently highlights local myths, folklore, and exaggerations, urging readers to analyze the line between historical fact and legend.

Which Terry Deary True Stories book was published first?

The first book in the series is True Monster Stories, which was originally published in 1992.

Are the True Stories books similar to Horrible Histories?

While they share the same dark humor and historical focus, the True Stories series features longer, narrative-driven chapters rather than the cartoon-strips and bullet-point trivia style of Horrible Histories.