Andrew Mackay Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Andrew Mackay

Because Andrew Mackay writes across several vastly different genres—ranging from cozy space-opera adventures to pitch-black satire and psychological thrillers—your starting point depends entirely on what kind of story you are in the mood for. There are two primary entry points recommended for new readers:

• For Sci-Fi and Animal Adventure Fans: Start with Infinity Claws, the first novel in the popular Star Cat series. It is funny, imaginative, and introduces one of science fiction's most memorable feline protagonists.
• For Satire and Dark Comedy Fans: Start with The Teacher, the first book in the In Their Shoes series. Drawing on Mackay's own background in education, it offers a biting, hilarious look at the education system through the eyes of a rookie journalist.

Star Cat Series Reading Order

The Star Cat series is Mackay's most famous creation. The books follow Jelly Anderson, an extraordinary cat who wins a space competition and travels to the stars with her owner, Jamie. While the books were largely published in rapid succession, there is a slight difference between the order in which they were released and how you should read them chronologically.

For the best experience, readers should follow the chronological order, which places the prequel novella and short story first to explain Jelly's origins:

1. Star Cat: Origins (Prequel short story)
2. Star Cat: Training Day (Novella, 2018)
3. Infinity Claws (Book 1, 2018)
4. Pink Symphony (Book 2, 2018)
5. War Mage (Book 3, 2018)
6. Killer Instinct (Book 4, 2018)
7. Exodus (Book 5, 2018)
8. Star Cat Forever (Book 6, 2018)

If you prefer to skip the prequels, you can dive straight into Infinity Claws without losing track of the main narrative. The series has also been collected in trilogies and complete box sets for easier reading.

In Their Shoes Series Reading Order

The In Their Shoes series is a satirical saga following Joy Attwood, a fresh-faced, naive journalist who decides to embed herself in various professions to see what life is like "in their shoes." As the series progresses, Joy evolves from a timid rookie into a battle-hardened investigator exposing corporate greed, corrupt politicians, and criminal syndicates.

These books should be read in publication order, as Joy’s character development and the recurring background plot carry over from one installment to the next:

1. The Teacher (2016)
2. The Actor (2016)
3. The Model (2016)
4. The Artist (2017)
5. The Nurse (2017)
6. The Dealer (2017)

For audiobook listeners, the series features popular narration by comedian and actress Sooz Kempner, adding a theatrical flair to Joy’s journal entries and investigations.

Sleepwalker (Chrome Valley Thrillers) Reading Order

If you prefer gritty psychological suspense, Mackay's Chrome Valley Thrillers (often referred to as the Sleepwalker series) offer a dark, twisty ride. The first book, Somnambulist, centers on Iris Goddard, a woman whose life begins to unravel due to dangerous, involuntary sleepwalking episodes. The narrative jumps between timelines and perspectives to keep readers guessing.

Though each book functions reasonably well as a standalone thriller, they are linked by tone and theme. Reading them in order reveals subtle connections:

1. Somnambulist (also published as Sleepwalker) (2019)
2. Ventriloquist: aka Puppeteer (2020)
3. Psychiatrist: aka Shrink (2020)
4. Terrorist: aka Versus (2020)

Glitch Series Reading Order

For fans of cyberpunk, artificial intelligence, and techno-horror, the Glitch trilogy presents a high-stakes, dystopian nightmare. The series follows the chaotic fallout of a viral digital outbreak and must be read in strict chronological order:

1. Glitch (2020)
2. Glitch 2: Viral Nation (2020)
3. Glitch 3: Cyber God (2021)

Other Series and Co-Authored Works

Beyond his major series, Mackay has experimented with school comedy and collaborative space sci-fi:

Chrome Junction Academy Books

A short, comedic series focusing on the ridiculous and chaotic lives of students and staff at a fictional school. Read them in order:

1. Let's Kill Mr Pond (2018)
2. Vicky & Lizzie's First Period (2018)
3. The Belch Park Field Trip (2018)

Space Race Books

Co-authored with Charles R. Case, this series offers a comedic, fast-paced take on space exploration and cosmic mishaps:

1. Shoot for the Moon (2019)
2. 2 Drunk 2 Drive (2019)

Pure Dark Books

A collection of dark horror anthologies featuring shorter tales of terror. They can be read in any order, though they are numbered sequentially:

• Pure Dark Vol 1 (2017)
• Pure Dark Vol 2 (2017)
• Pure Dark Vol 3 (2017)

Standalone Novels

Mackay has written several standalone books that do not belong to any formal series, allowing readers to sample his style in a single sitting:

• Versus (2017)
• Convenience (2017)
• Simple Machines (2017)
• Young Lions Pride (2018)
• My Lockdown (2020)
• Red Collar (2020)

What to Know Before You Start

Andrew Mackay publishes his work independently under his imprint, Chrome Valley Books, which he brands as "The Home of Dangerous Fiction." True to this motto, Mackay's work frequently pushes boundaries, featuring dark themes, political incorrectness, and irreverent comedy. If you appreciate the style of Douglas Adams, John Cleese, or Hunter S. Thompson, you will feel right at home. However, if you prefer lighthearted, clean fiction, you may want to stick exclusively to the early books in the Star Cat saga, which maintain a more adventurous, family-friendly tone compared to his psychological thrillers and social satires.