Where to Start with C.K. McDonnell
If you are looking to dive into the weird, wonderful, and laugh-out-loud funny world of C.K. McDonnell, there is one definitive place to start: The Stranger Times, the 2021 novel that kicked off the urban fantasy series of the same name. Unlike some sprawling fantasy series with complex prequel options or multiple entry points, C.K. McDonnell’s bibliography is refreshingly straightforward. The primary narrative follows a strict chronological timeline, meaning that you should begin with book one and read them in the order they were published.
For the uninitiated, C.K. McDonnell is the pen name of Caimh McDonnell, a celebrated Irish stand-up comedian and TV writer. While he writes his grounded, darkly comic crime series (such as the Dublin Trilogy) under his birth name, he adopted the pseudonym C.K. McDonnell specifically for his foray into urban fantasy and the paranormal. This distinction makes it easy for readers to know exactly what kind of story they are getting: Caimh means crime and chaos in the real world; C.K. means vampires, magic, and supernatural mischief in Manchester.
The Stranger Times Series in Publication Order
To follow the misadventures of the staff of The Stranger Times—a struggling weekly newspaper in Manchester dedicated to reporting bizarre, unexplained, and downright ridiculous news stories that the mainstream media ignores—you should follow the main series in order of release. The core books are:
- The Stranger Times (2021) – The book that introduces us to the chaotic newsroom, the grumpy editor Vincent Banecroft, the new recruit Hannah Willis, and a world where the bizarre headlines they publish start coming true.
- This Charming Man (2022) – The second installment, which plunges the team into a mystery involving vampires, old supernatural rivalries, and the dark underbelly of Manchester.
- Love Will Tear Us Apart (2023) – The third book, which tests the loyalty of the newspaper's staff as they deal with personal crises, ancient threats, and the complexities of the supernatural community.
- Relight My Fire (2024) – The fourth novel, where the team must navigate a series of bizarre events, including the apparent return of forces that threaten the delicate balance between the magical and mundane worlds.
- Ring the Bells (2025) – The fifth core novel, continuing the overarching narrative of the series with the signature blend of humor, mystery, and paranormal threats.
Chronological Caveats and the Podcast Companion Stories
While the main novels are perfectly linear, McDonnell’s universe expands beyond the page. The author has produced a popular companion podcast featuring standalone short stories set in the world of The Stranger Times, often read by well-known comedians. These stories enrich the lore and introduce quirky side characters, but they are not mandatory to understand the main novels.
For readers who prefer physical or digital collections, these short stories were compiled in Tales from The Stranger Times: Volume 1, published in August 2025. This volume also contains a brand-new exclusive novella titled The Raven. Because these stories are mostly self-contained or serve as atmospheric vignettes, you can read them at any point after finishing the first book. However, the safest and most rewarding approach is to read the collection after Relight My Fire or Ring the Bells to appreciate all the nods to the wider world.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you pick up the first book, here are a few things to keep in mind to enhance your reading experience:
- The Tone: The series is frequently compared to the work of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It combines sharp, cynical British and Irish wit with genuine moments of horror and heart. While the premise is comedic, the stakes are real, and characters face genuine danger.
- The Setting: Manchester plays a massive role in the series. The city's gritty streets, quirky locals, and rainy weather form the perfect backdrop for urban fantasy. It stands in stark contrast to the traditional London-centric settings of many British fantasy novels.
- Standalone Readability: While each book features a self-contained mystery or supernatural crisis that is resolved by the end, there is a strong, continuous character arc and an escalating overarching plot. Reading them out of order is highly discouraged, as you will miss out on the emotional growth of the characters and the gradual uncovering of the world's secret rules.
C.K. McDonnell vs. Caimh McDonnell: Are the Universes Connected?
One of the most common questions from fans of the author is whether his urban fantasy books under the name C.K. McDonnell connect to the crime novels written under Caimh McDonnell (especially the beloved Dublin Trilogy featuring the chaotic protagonist Bunny McGarry). The short answer is: No.
McDonnell has explicitly clarified that the two series exist in entirely separate universes. The Dublin Trilogy is grounded in the real, non-magical world. Introducing magic, ancient gods, or vampires into Bunny McGarry’s world would break the established rules and realistic stakes of those books. While the author has joked that he might one day cheat a non-canonical crossover short story for fun, there are no official crossovers or plot links. You do not need to read any of the Caimh McDonnell books to enjoy The Stranger Times, and vice versa. However, if you enjoy the banter and dark humor of one, you will almost certainly love the other.