C.E. Murphy Books in Order

Where to Start with C.E. Murphy

If you are new to C.E. Murphy, the absolute best starting point is her breakout urban fantasy novel, Urban Shaman (2005). This book kicks off the Walker Papers, her most famous and expansive series following mechanic-turned-shaman Joanne Walker. It serves as the perfect introduction to Murphy's hallmark blend of mythology, real-world grit, and fast-paced supernatural mystery.

For readers who prefer a mix of urban fantasy and paranormal romance featuring gargoyles, dragons, and ancient bloodlines, Heart of Stone (2007)—the opening book of The Negotiator Trilogy—is another excellent entry point. If cozy mysteries with a dash of Irish charm are more your style, you can skip the magic entirely and pick up Dead in Dublin (2019), written under her pseudonym Catie Murphy.

The Walker Papers: Reading Order and Shamanic Lore

The Walker Papers series is a sprawling urban fantasy saga set primarily in Seattle. It follows Joanne Walker, a police officer who discovers her Native American heritage has gifted her with shamanic abilities. As she navigates the demands of her day job and the spirit world, she faces everything from Celtic banshees to wild hunt spirits.

While the publication order is very close to the internal story timeline, there is one major chronological caveat: the novella Banshee Cries. Originally published as a short story in the 2005 anthology Winter Moon, it is chronologically the second story in the timeline, occurring directly between the events of the first two novels. When it was reissued as a standalone ebook in 2020, it was officially designated as Book 2. Consequently, readers should follow the chronological order below to avoid missing key character development.

Walker Papers Chronological Reading Order

• Urban Shaman (2005) - Book 1
• Banshee Cries (2020 standalone release; originally 2005 as Book 1.5) - Book 2
• Thunderbird Falls (2006) - Book 3
• Coyote Dreams (2007) - Book 4
• Walking Dead (2009) - Book 5
• Demon Hunts (2010) - Book 6
• Spirit Dances (2011) - Book 7
• Raven Calls (2012) - Book 8
• Easy Pickings (2012) - Book 8.5 (Crossover novella with Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock)
• Mountain Echoes (2013) - Book 9
• Rabbit Tricks (2014) - Book 9.5 (A short story featuring the gargoyle Gary)
• Shaman Rises (2014) - Book 10

For completeness, readers can also pick up No Dominion (2012), a collection of short stories set within the Walker Papers universe that provides extra background on Joanne's supporting cast.

The Negotiator Trilogy & The Old Races Universe

Stepping away from shamanism, Murphy crafted The Negotiator Trilogy (often referred to as the Old Races Universe). This urban fantasy series centers on Margrit Knight, a human lawyer representing paranormal beings—like gargoyles, dragons, and djinn—in a modern-day legal system.

This trilogy is highly serialized and must be read in order:

1. Heart of Stone (2007)
2. House of Cards (2008)
3. Hands of Flame (2008)

If you want to dive deeper into the lore of the Old Races, Murphy has published companion collections that explore the history and aftermath of the main trilogy, as well as specific fairy tales re-imagined in this universe:

• Year of Miracles (2010) - Collected Tales of the Old Races
• The Old Races: Origins (2012) - Companion collection
• The Old Races: Aftermath (2012) - Companion collection
• Baba Yaga's Daughter (2012) - Collected Tales of the Old Races
• Kiss of Angels (2018) - Collected Tales of the Old Races

The Guildmaster Saga and Epic Fantasy Worlds

For readers who prefer high fantasy and portal fantasy over contemporary cityscapes, Murphy's Guildmaster Saga offers an expansive nautical-themed fantasy adventure. The series centers on magic users controlling the elements and guilds struggling for power across a vast, ocean-locked world.

The recommended reading order is the publication order:

1. Seamaster (2017)
2. Stonemaster (2019)
3. Skymaster (2021)
4. Sunmaster (2022)
5. Witchmaster (2023)

Other Speculative Series

Beyond her primary series, Murphy has written several shorter fantasy and sci-fi series:

• Worldwalker Duology: A portal fantasy following a woman who can walk between realities. Read Truthseeker (2010) first, followed by Wayfinder (2011).
• Inheritors' Cycle: A historical epic fantasy set in a fictionalized Tudor-era kingdom. Read The Queen's Bastard (2008) followed by The Pretender's Crown (2009).
• The Heartstrike Chronicles: A space-faring science fiction adventure starting with Atlantis Fallen (2016), then From Coffin to Grave (2019), and concluding with Coming to America (2020).
• The Rising: A fantasy trilogy consisting of Siryn (2019), Keys (2020), and Them Shoes (2020). Note that chronologically, the story flows backward from publication: read Them Shoes first, then Keys, and finally Siryn to experience the events in linear order.

Cozy Mysteries and Romantic Suspense (Pseudonyms)

Under the pen name Catie Murphy, Catherine Murphy writes the popular Dublin Driver Mysteries. Set in modern Ireland, these books follow Megan Malone, an American expat driving a limousine in Dublin who keeps stumbling over murder cases. They are classic lighthearted cozies filled with local color and humor.

Read the Dublin Driver Mysteries in order:

1. Dead in Dublin (2019)
2. Death on the Green (2020)
3. Death of an Irish Mummy (2021)
4. Death in Irish Accents (2023)
5. Death by Irish Whiskey (2024)
6. Death of an Irish Druid (2025)

Writing as Cate Dermody, she penned the Strongbox Chronicles, a fast-paced romantic action-adventure trilogy that blends corporate espionage with romance. Read them in order: The Cardinal Rule (2005), The Firebird Deception (2006), and The Phoenix Law (2006).

Shared World Contributions

It is worth noting that Murphy is a contributor to the multi-author Judges series, a prequel series exploring the origins of the Judges in the world of Judge Dredd. While databases list many books in this series, Murphy only wrote the eighth installment, a sci-fi novella titled What Measure Ye Mete (2021). You do not need to read the rest of the series to enjoy her standalone contribution, though it fits into the broader timeline of the shared universe.