Where to Start with Ashley & JaQuavis
If you are new to the reign of Ashley & JaQuavis, the absolute best place to start is with their blockbuster hit, The Cartel. Released in 2008, this novel launched a massive urban fiction empire. While the duo wrote other books beforehand—such as their debut series, Dirty Money—it is The Cartel that truly defines their signature street-smart pacing, raw characters, and high-stakes drama. Starting here introduces you to the Diamond family and the Miami drug trade, which serves as the anchor for almost all of their interconnected spin-offs and companion series.
The Cartel Universe Reading Order
The Cartel series is a sprawling urban saga. While there are prequels and spin-offs, reading the core series in publication order is highly recommended to avoid major plot spoilers and to witness the natural progression of the characters. Below is the recommended sequence for tackling the core Diamond family saga and its direct follow-ups.
The Core Cartel Saga
- The Cartel (2008) – The legendary introduction to the Diamond family empire and the rise of Young Carter after his father's death.
- Tale of the Murda Mamas (2009) – A direct continuation that shifts focus to the fierce women navigating the deadly drug trade.
- The Last Chapter (2010) – The explosive third installment where empires clash and long-held secrets are revealed.
- Diamonds Are Forever (2012) – The fourth entry, bringing new rivalries, betrayals, and massive power shifts in the Miami underworld.
- La Bella Mafia (2013) – The fifth book, spotlighting female-led operations and survival in a hostile street landscape.
- The Demise (2016) – The sixth book, which escalates the stakes as the Diamond family faces its most brutal threats yet.
- Illuminati (2017) – The seventh book, weaving secret societies, ultimate betrayals, and deep underworld connections.
- Long Live The Cartel (2020) – The eighth core novel, serving as a climactic chapter in the long-running family saga.
The Prequels: Carter Diamond Series
The Carter Diamond books act as a prequel to the entire Cartel franchise, telling the story of Young Carter’s father, the original patriarch Carter Diamond. While these events take place chronologically before the first book, they contain major spoilers and character insights that are far more satisfying if read after you have established familiarity with the main series. The ideal placement for these prequels is after reading The Last Chapter or Diamonds Are Forever.
- Carter Diamond (2012)
- Carter Diamond Part 2 (2013)
The Next Generation: Money Devils & Cartel Queen
Once you finish the core Cartel saga, the story continues through official spin-offs and next-generation sequences. These books expand on the aftermath of the main series and should be read after Long Live The Cartel.
- Money Devils 1 (2020)
- Money Devils 2 (2021)
- Cartel Queen: Aries Manifesto (2023)
The Murderville Trilogy
Separate from the Cartel universe, the Murderville trilogy is a self-contained crime saga published under Cash Money Content. It combines global crime syndicate elements with a passionate love story, starting on the streets of Sierra Leone. You do not need to read any Cartel books to enjoy this series, but you must read the trilogy in its strict chronological publication order:
- Murderville (2011)
- The Epidemic (2012)
- The Black Dahlia (2013)
The Dirty Money Trilogy
This is where Ashley & JaQuavis began their writing journey. Originally published by Urban Books after being discovered by Carl Weber, this trilogy is a standalone set of novels that showcases their early gritty storytelling style. You can read this series at any point, completely independent of the Cartel saga.
- Dirty Money (2005)
- Diary of a Street Diva (2005)
- Supreme Clientele (2007)
Anthologies and Short Stories
Ashley & JaQuavis have also contributed to several anthologies and released quick-read novellas. They are famously known for contributing stories to the long-running Girls From Da Hood anthology series. Specifically, the duo co-authored entries in Girls From Da Hood 4 (2008) and Girls From Da Hood 6 (2011). These anthologies serve as excellent companion reads for fans who want to dive deeper into bite-sized street tales. Other standalone novellas include Moving Weight (2012) and The Invitation (2020), which can be enjoyed as quick detours between main novels.