Caitlin Kittredge Books in Order

Where to Begin Your Caitlin Kittredge Journey

Caitlin Kittredge is celebrated for her dark, atmospheric urban fantasy, punk-rock attitudes, and complex, deeply flawed protagonists. If you are new to her writing, you have three excellent entry points depending on your favorite subgenre:

• For Werewolf Noir and Police Procedurals: Start with Night Life, the first book of the Nocturne City series. It features a tough werewolf detective investigating occult crimes.
• For Gritty Necromancy and London Magic: Start with Street Magic, which kicks off the Black London series. This series offers a darker, British-noir style featuring a troubled wizard.
• For Steampunk and Lovecraftian Horror: Start with The Iron Thorn, the opening novel of The Iron Codex young adult trilogy. It is a fantastic option if you love gothic landscapes, mechanical monsters, and historical mysteries.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Kittredge's universes, it is helpful to know that she does not write soft, cozy fantasy. Her worlds are gritty, dangerous, and populated by morally grey characters who make hard choices. The author relies heavily on continuous character growth and overarching mysteries, meaning her main series are best read in strict order rather than as standalones.

Additionally, Kittredge is an accomplished comic book writer. Her visual storytelling style carries over into her prose, which is marked by high-action pacing, cinematic descriptions, and a distinctive punk-rock flair. She also frequently writes short stories and novellas that flesh out the histories of her main characters, which we have integrated into the reading sequences below.

The Nocturne City Reading Order

The Nocturne City series follows Luna Wilder, a werewolf homicide detective navigating a city filled with witches, demons, and black magicians. The series blends police procedurals with intense paranormal thrills. While you can read the books in publication order, inserting the short story "Ginger" at its chronological point is highly recommended for the complete experience.

The recommended reading order for the Nocturne City series is:

1. Night Life (2008) – Introduces Luna Wilder, her partner, and the paranormal underworld of Nocturne City.
2. Pure Blood (2008) – Luna deals with a series of brutal attacks that threaten to expose the werewolf community.
3. Second Skin (2009) – Luna investigates a series of murders linked to a fringe werewolf group.
4. "Ginger" (2009) – A short story published in the Strange Brew anthology. Chronologically, this fits perfectly as Book 3.5 and provides excellent side context before the next major conflict.
5. Witch Craft (2009) – Luna faces dark magic, covenant rivalries, and growing political tension in the city.
6. Daemon's Mark (2010) – The action-packed conclusion where Luna must make ultimate sacrifices to stop a demonic threat.

The Black London Reading Order

The Black London series shifts the scenery to a gritty, rain-slicked London where detective Pete Caldecott and the troubled, drug-addicted crow-mage Jack Winter navigate the terrifying magical underworld. This series features several side stories and a key novella that should be read in chronological sequence.

The recommended reading order for the Black London series is:

1. "Newlydeads" (2007) – A prequel short story published in the anthology My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon. It details an early, chaotic mission involving Pete and Jack before the events of the first novel.
2. Street Magic (2009) – Pete Caldecott is reunited with Jack Winter when a case involving missing children leads into the magical abyss.
3. Demon Bound (2009) – Pete and Jack confront a demonic pact that threatens Jack's soul.
4. "Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go" (2009) – A short story published in the Huntress anthology. This side-story fits well between the second and third novels.
5. Bone Gods (2010) – Pete and Jack investigate a series of bizarre murders linked to ancient gods and magical relics.
6. Devil's Business (2011) – The stakes rise as Jack's dark past and bargains come back to haunt the duo.
7. "Under the Hill and Far Away" (2011) – A short story published in the anthology Those Who Fight Monsters. This tale follows Pete as she investigates a murder for the Seelie Fae Queen.
8. The Curse of Four (2011) – A standalone novella published by Subterranean Press. While listed as book five in some publication catalogs, chronologically it serves as book 4.5, focusing on Jack Winter trying to clear his name of murder.
9. Soul Trade (2012) – Pete and Jack deal with the fallout of Jack's choices and a dangerous new black magic ring.
10. Dark Days (2013) – The final, explosive book in the Black London saga.

The Iron Codex (Steampunk YA Trilogy)

Set in an alternate, steampunk-inspired America where a massive city called Lovecraft is governed by the strict rules of the Proctors, The Iron Codex follows Aoife Grayson. Aoife battles a hereditary madness while trying to survive mechanical monsters and Lovecraftian horrors. This trilogy is completely linear and should be read in order:

1. The Iron Thorn (2011) – Aoife's journey begins as she tries to escape the fate of her family's madness and uncovers dark secrets.
2. The Nightmare Garden (2012) – Aoife fights to survive in a ruined world after the events of the first book.
3. The Mirrored Shard (2013) – The final chapter where Aoife seeks a permanent cure and attempts to save her city.

Note: Kittredge also published a related short story, "The Vast Machinery of Dreams," in the 2011 anthology Corsets & Clockwork. While it shares the Lovecraftian and mechanical themes, it is an independent, dreamlike story that does not directly impact the main trilogy's plot.

The Hellhound Chronicles

This series moves the action to the American Midwest, blending Southern lore and myths about black dogs. The story follows Ava, a hellhound who acts as a soul catcher for a Reaper named Leo. The series consists of two novels and a connecting short story:

1. Black Dog (2014) – Introduces Ava and the supernatural rules of the Reaper's hunts.
2. Grim Tidings (2016) – Ava and Leo must face a powerful enemy threatening their sanctuary.
3. "The Resurrectionist" (2017) – A short story published in the Urban Enemies anthology. It is set after the events of the second novel and features a sinister job gone wrong.

Co-Authored Works: The Icarus Project

Co-authored with Jackie Kessler, The Icarus Project is a fast-paced superhero duology featuring genetically engineered vigilantes trying to escape a corrupt corporate laboratory. Due to printing variations and catalog errors, the second book is sometimes listed twice in databases under different formats, but the reading order is a simple two-part experience:

1. Black and White (2009)
2. Shades of Gray (2010) (also published as Shades of Night)

Graphic Novels and Comics

In addition to her traditional novels, Caitlin Kittredge has written several acclaimed comic series. These are best read in volume order:

• Coffin Hill (Vertigo): A dark, witchcraft-focused series following Eve Coffin. Read in order: Vol. 1: Forest of the Night (2014), Vol. 2: Dark Endeavors (2015), and Vol. 3: Haunted Houses (2015).
• Throwaways (Image Comics): A sci-fi conspiracy thriller about mutated secret agents. Read Vol. 1 (2016) followed by Vol. 2 (2017).
• Witchblade (Image/Top Cow): Kittredge wrote the modern reboot focusing on Alex Underwood. Read Vol. 1 (2018), Vol. 2: Good Intentions (2019), and Vol. 3 (2019).
• Grimm: Something Wicked This Way Comes (2017): A standalone graphic novel tie-in based on the popular television series.

Standalone Novels

If you are looking for a complete, self-contained story without committing to a series, Kittredge wrote Dreaming Darkly (2019). This young adult gothic mystery follows an orphaned girl sent to live with her eccentric relatives on a remote island off the coast of Maine, where she becomes plagued by disturbing historical visions.