Can the Clockwork Century books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book in the Clockwork Century series tells a complete story with its own main characters. However, reading them in order helps you understand the evolution of the alternate Civil War and the global spread of the "Blight" gas.

What is the correct order for the Eden Moore books?

The Eden Moore series should be read in publication order: Four and Twenty Blackbirds , followed by Wings to the Kingdom , and concluding with Not Flesh Nor Feathers .

Is Maplecroft related to the Cthulhu Mythos?

Yes, the Borden Dispatches ( Maplecroft and Chapelwood ) are heavily inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, blending cosmic horror with the historical case of Lizzie Borden.

Are there more than two books in the Leda Foley series?

Currently, the Booking Agents series consisting of Grave Reservations and Flight Risk is a duology, though the characters and setting leave room for future installments.

Which Cherie Priest book is best for horror fans?

Horror fans should start with The Toll for atmospheric Southern Gothic horror, or The Family Plot for a traditional, creepy haunted house story.

What is Cherie Priest's connection to Wild Cards?

Cherie Priest is one of the contributing authors to the Wild Cards mosaic novel series edited by George R. R. Martin. She created characters like Leo "Ramshead" Storgman and Raul Esposito, contributing sections to books like Fort Freak and Lowball .

Cherie Priest Books in Order

Where Should You Start Reading Cherie Priest?

Cherie Priest is a master of blending genres, combining elements of historical fiction, horror, steampunk, and urban fantasy into uniquely atmospheric tales. Because her catalog spans several distinct universes, the best starting point depends entirely on what flavor of speculative fiction you prefer:

For Steampunk and Adventure: Start with Boneshaker (2009). This is her breakout novel, introducing her alternate-history Civil War era filled with airships and zombies. It is the definitive entry point to the Clockwork Century.
For Southern Gothic and Ghost Stories: Start with Four and Twenty Blackbirds (2005). It is her debut novel and the beginning of the Eden Moore trilogy, following a young woman who can communicate with the dead.
For Cozy Paranormal Mystery: Start with Grave Reservations (2021). This begins the Leda Foley series, focusing on a psychic travel agent who teams up with a homicide detective.
For Gothic Horror and Mythos: Start with Maplecroft (2014). This starts the Borden Dispatches, reimagining the infamous Lizzie Borden as an axe-wielding heroine fighting Lovecraftian monsters.

The Clockwork Century: Publication vs. Chronological Order

The Clockwork Century is Cherie Priest's most famous universe. Set in an alternate 1880s where the American Civil War has dragged on for decades, the world features massive airships, toxic gas, and undead hordes. While the novels are largely standalone adventures set within the same timeline, reading them in a specific sequence helps make sense of the world's political landscape and overarching lore.

The Publication Order

Reading in publication order is highly recommended for first-time readers. This sequence introduces the core concepts and mechanics of the universe (such as the gas "Blight" and the zombie-like "rotters") in the order the author originally built them.

Boneshaker (2009)
Clementine (2010) - Novella
Dreadnought (2010)
Ganymede (2011)
Tanglefoot (2011) - Novella
The Inexplicables (2012)
Fiddlehead (2013)
Jacaranda (2014) - Novella

The Chronological Order

For readers revisiting the series or those who prefer to watch the world-altering technology develop step-by-step, the chronological order shifts the novellas to align with their in-universe timelines. The events of Clementine and Tanglefoot occur slightly earlier relative to the later mainline novels.

Boneshaker (2009)
Clementine (2010)
Tanglefoot (2011)
Dreadnought (2010)
Ganymede (2011)
The Inexplicables (2012)
Fiddlehead (2013)
Jacaranda (2014)

The Eden Moore Trilogy: Southern Gothic Roots

Before achieving mainstream success with steampunk, Priest wrote the Eden Moore trilogy. Set in the American South, these stories blend regional history, folklore, and supernatural horror. Unlike the Clockwork Century, this trilogy follows a single central protagonist and should be read strictly in order of publication.

Four and Twenty Blackbirds (2005)
Wings to the Kingdom (2006)
Not Flesh Nor Feathers (2007)

Modern Mysteries and Urban Fantasy Series

Priest has written several shorter series that explore modern settings with paranormal twists. These series are fast-paced and offer distinct entry points into her modern work.

Booking Agents (Leda Foley) Series

This series features Leda Foley, a psychic travel agent whose premonitions help (and occasionally hinder) Seattle detective Grady Merritt. It is a light, engaging paranormal mystery series.

Grave Reservations (2021)
Flight Risk (2022)

Cheshire Red Reports

An urban fantasy duology centering on Raylene Pendle, a vampire thief who specializes in retrieving rare artifacts. It is action-packed and features a sarcastic, memorable lead character.

Bloodshot (2011)
Hellbent (2011)

The Borden Dispatches

A historical horror duology that reimagines the Lizzie Borden murders as a defense against cosmic, Lovecraftian horrors emerging from the sea.

Maplecroft (2014)
Chapelwood (2015)

Cherie Priest's Standalone Horror and Thrillers

For readers who want complete, self-contained stories, Cherie Priest has published several acclaimed standalones. These novels range from traditional haunted house stories to supernatural mysteries set in rural towns.

Dreadful Skin (2007): A historical werewolf tale following a Roman Catholic missionary tracking a beast across 19th-century America.
Fathom (2008): A supernatural thriller featuring a mysterious young woman and an ancient power rising from the ocean.
Those Who Went Remain There Still (2008): A survival horror story set in the deep forests of East Tennessee.
The Family Plot (2016): A classic gothic haunted house story focusing on a historic estate salvage crew.
Brimstone (2017): A dark historical fantasy set in the 1920s spiritualist community of Cassadaga, Florida.
The Agony House (2018): A haunted house mystery featuring comic book illustrations by Tara O'Connor.
The Toll (2019): A creepy Southern Gothic horror novel about a sinister bridge in the Okefenokee Swamp.
Cinderwich (2024): A Southern gothic thriller about a journalist investigating a decades-old mystery in a dying Tennessee town.
The Drowning House (2024): A modern PNW horror-thriller about an old house that washes ashore during a massive storm.

A Note on the Wild Cards Universe

Cherie Priest has also contributed to George R. R. Martin's long-running Wild Cards shared-universe series. While the franchise spans dozens of books by various writers, Priest's specific contributions focus on characters she created, such as the joker detective Leo "Ramshead" Storgman and Raul Esposito (the "Button Man"). Her writing can be found in mosaic installments such as Fort Freak (2011), Lowball (2014), High Stakes (2016), and Sleeper Straddle (2024). You do not need to read the entire Wild Cards catalog to enjoy her contributions, though they are rewarding for fans of superhero speculative fiction.

What to Know Before You Start

Cherie Priest's stories are deeply rooted in physical locations. She often conducts extensive local research to capture the exact geography and history of places like Seattle, Chattanooga, and the Florida swamps. Her books frequently feature strong, independent, and often cynical female protagonists who must rely on their own wits to survive. Whether you start with her celebrated steampunk or her eerie Southern horror, expect a heavy dose of atmosphere, sharp dialogue, and memorable monsters.