Recommended Vegas Vampires Reading Order
The Vegas Vampires series by Erin McCarthy is best read in publication order. Because the narrative timeline moves forward linearly, the characters grow, and the political climate of the Vampire Nation evolves from book to book, reading them in order ensures you do not miss any overarching plot threads. Fortunately, the chronological order matches the publication order exactly.
- High Stakes (August 2006)
- Bit the Jackpot (December 2006)
- Bled Dry (August 2007)
- Sucker Bet (January 2008)
- Russian Roulette (Novella in the First Blood anthology, August 2008)
- Deal or No Deal (Novella in the Out of the Light, Into the Shadows anthology, August 2009)
- Undead Man's Hand (Novella in the Out of the Light, Into the Shadows anthology, August 2009)
The Core Vegas Vampires Novels
1. High Stakes (2006)
The series kicks off under the glittering neon of Sin City with High Stakes. Here, we meet Ethan Carrick, a vampire politician campaigning to become the president of the Vampire Nation. His carefully organized campaign is thrown into chaos when he meets Alexis Baldizzi, a feisty mortal woman who immediately captures his centuries-old heart. McCarthy sets the stage for the series by introducing the high-society structure of the undead alongside the humor and modern sass of chick-lit romance.
2. Bit the Jackpot (2006)
Focusing on the next couple in the campaign circle, Bit the Jackpot centers on Seamus Fox, Ethan’s dedicated campaign manager. Seamus is a vampire who values control, but all his restraint evaporates when he crosses paths with Cara Kim, a shy stripper harboring dangerous secrets. The novel ups the stakes by blending the steamy romance between the two leads with action-packed vampire intrigue, campaign politics, and a deeper look at the external threats to the vampire community.
3. Bled Dry (2007)
The third installment moves the spotlight to Alexis’s sister, Brittany Baldizzi. In Bled Dry, Brittany finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a passionate encounter with Corbin, a mysterious French vampire. This entry takes a slightly more emotional turn than its predecessors, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and the unique challenges of vampire-mortal offspring, all while maintaining McCarthy's signature fast-paced storytelling and witty dialogue.
4. Sucker Bet (2008)
In Sucker Bet, readers follow Gwenna Carrick, Ethan’s 900-year-old vampire sister. Gwenna is a fiercely independent character who finds herself reluctantly teaming up with a human detective, Nate Thomas. Together, they must investigate a series of murders perpetrated by vampire slayers, while Gwenna simultaneously deals with a jealous vampire ex-lover. The mix of mystery, romantic tension, and supernatural threats makes this one of the most action-heavy novels in the series.
The Essential Novellas and Anthologies
Many readers miss the final three stories of the Vegas Vampires series because they were published exclusively in multi-author anthologies. However, these novellas are critical to completing the series arc and seeing the ultimate fates of several beloved side characters.
5. Russian Roulette (Published in First Blood, 2008)
Published in the First Blood anthology alongside stories by Susan Sizemore, Chris Marie Green, and Meljean Brook, this novella centers on Sasha Chechikov. Sasha is a former vampire slayer who has been turned into a vampire against her will. On the run from her former associates, she is rescued by Alistair Kirk, a charming vampire musician and bar owner. The story focuses on healing from betrayal and learning to trust again in the dark corners of Las Vegas.
6. Deal or No Deal (Published in Out of the Light, Into the Shadows, 2009)
This novella is the first of two by McCarthy featured in the 2009 anthology Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (which also features Lori Foster and L.L. Foster). The story centers on Katie, who has spent 90 years searching for answers regarding her family's mysterious deaths, and Michael, the vampire who has loved her from afar since that tragic night. The story features Nick Stolin, a protective Russian vampire expatriate who helps shield Katie and her brother.
7. Undead Man's Hand (Published in Out of the Light, Into the Shadows, 2009)
Serving as the final published installment of the series, Undead Man's Hand follows the Russian vampire Nick Stolin as he searches for his own happy ending. He finds it with Jordan, a mortal woman caught up in a dangerous mystery. The novella ties up several loose ends regarding the series' central vampire politics, though readers note that some overarching plotlines remain open-ended due to the series concluding after this release.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the Vegas Vampires universe, it helps to understand its unique flavor. Erin McCarthy wrote this series during the height of the mid-2000s paranormal romance boom, but she infused it with the lighthearted, sassy, and comedic elements of contemporary chick-lit. If you are expecting dark, brooding Gothic horror, you might be surprised by the vampire campaign exit polls, coffin romps, and playful supernatural bureaucracy.
Furthermore, because the series ends with the novellas in 2009, some minor plot threads and political arcs do not receive a massive, epic conclusion. Instead, McCarthy focuses on delivering satisfying, happily-ever-after romances for each individual couple. The books can technically stand alone as romance stories, but the recurring appearances of the Baldizzi sisters, the Carrick family, and campaign staff mean you will get the best experience by reading them in order.