Christopher Moore Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Christopher Moore

Because most of Christopher Moore's books take place in a shared universe, choosing a starting point is a frequent topic of debate among fans. Fortunately, Moore's novels are written to be self-contained enough that you won't get lost if you pick up a book out of order. That said, there are three primary recommendations for where to begin your journey.

Option 1: The Gateway Standalones

If you want to sample Moore's signature style before committing to a series, start with one of his most popular standalone novels:

• Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal (2002): Widely considered Moore's masterpiece, this book fills in the "lost years" of Jesus through the eyes of his sarcastic best friend, Biff. It is hilarious, surprisingly well-researched, and full of heart.
• A Dirty Job (2006): A perfect introduction to Moore's San Francisco-based stories. It follows Charlie Asher, an ordinary guy who suddenly becomes a Beta Male Death Merchant, responsible for collecting souls.

Option 2: The Pine Cove Trilogy

If you prefer a classic small-town setting populated by eccentric locals, ancient demons, and sea monsters, start at the very beginning of the Mooreverse with Practical Demonkeeping (1992). This kicks off the Pine Cove cycle and introduces key recurring characters who reappear throughout his entire bibliography.

Option 3: The Publication Order Path

For purists who want to experience the evolution of the Mooreverse exactly as the author built it, reading in publication order is highly recommended. This ensures you catch every single character cameo and crossover in the order they were intended.

The Major Series and Subseries Breakdown

While Moore write many standalones, he has developed several distinct multi-book story arcs. Reading these in order is essential for character continuity.

The Vampire (Love Story) Trilogy

Set primarily in San Francisco, this series follows the trials and tribulations of two young vampires navigating romance, modern life, and ancient bloodsuckers. Read them in this order:

1. Bloodsucking Fiends (1995)
2. You Suck: A Love Story (2007)
3. Bite Me: A Love Story (2010)

The Pine Cove Trilogy

Pine Cove is a fictional, quirky California coastal town where weird things happen constantly. While other books visit Pine Cove, these three form the core trilogy:

1. Practical Demonkeeping (1992)
2. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove (1999)
3. The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror (2004)

The Grim Reaper (Charlie Asher) Duology

This urban fantasy series set in San Francisco deals with the bureaucracy of death, underworld forces, and secondhand stores:

1. A Dirty Job (2006)
2. Secondhand Souls (2015)

The Chronicles of Pocket the Fool

Moore turns his satirical lens to classic literature, specifically William Shakespeare. This series follows Pocket, a clever and highly profane court jester:

1. Fool (2009) - A hilarious retelling of King Lear.
2. The Serpent of Venice (2014) - Merges The Merchant of Venice and Othello with a touch of Edgar Allan Poe.
3. Shakespeare for Squirrels (2020) - A comedic take on A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The Sammy and the Cheese Noir Duology

This historical comedy-noir series is set in late 1940s San Francisco, featuring Sammy "Two Toes" Tiffin, a scheming protagonist, and a bizarre cast of characters:

1. Noir (2018)
2. Razzmatazz (2022)

The Art History Duology

These books act as spiritual sequels, focusing on famous artists and historical settings infused with supernatural humor:

1. Sacré Bleu: A Comedy d'Art (2012) - Set in late 19th-century Paris, focusing on Toulouse-Lautrec and the mystery of the color blue.
2. Anima Rising (2025) - Set in 1911 Vienna, featuring Gustav Klimt, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and the Bride of Frankenstein.

The Ultimate Christopher Moore Publication Order

Here is the complete chronological list of Christopher Moore's novels in publication order:

1. Practical Demonkeeping (1992)
2. Coyote Blue (1994)
3. Bloodsucking Fiends (1995)
4. Island of the Sequined Love Nun (1997)
5. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove (1999)
6. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal (2002)
7. Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings (2003)
8. The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror (2004)
9. A Dirty Job (2006)
10. You Suck: A Love Story (2007)
11. Fool (2009)
12. Bite Me: A Love Story (2010)
13. Sacré Bleu: A Comedy d'Art (2012)
14. The Serpent of Venice (2014)
15. Secondhand Souls (2015)
16. Noir (2018)
17. Shakespeare for Squirrels (2020)
18. Razzmatazz (2022)
19. Anima Rising (2025)

What to Know Before You Start: The Mooreverse

The most important thing for new readers to understand is the concept of the "Mooreverse." Almost all of Christopher Moore's novels set in modern times are connected. For instance, the vampire Jody from the Vampire Trilogy makes a brief cameo in The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove. Abby Normal, a goth girl introduced in the Vampire Trilogy, plays a major role in the Grim Reaper sequel Secondhand Souls. The detective team of Alfonso Rivera and his partner inspector catch cases across different books. Even the Pine Cove characters pop up in San Francisco stories.

Because of these connections, reading the books in publication order gives you the most satisfying "Aha!" moments. However, if you read them as standalones, you will not lose track of the main plot—you'll just miss out on a few fun Easter eggs.