Derek Landy Books in Order

Where to Start: The Magic Entry Point

If you are new to the chaotic, witty, and magical world of Derek Landy, there is only one place you should begin: the first Skulduggery Pleasant novel (originally published in the US as Scepter of the Ancients). This book introduces you to the iconic duo of Valkyrie Cain and the suavely dressed skeleton detective Skulduggery Pleasant. Beginning anywhere else will leave you completely lost, as the series is heavily serialized and relies on long-term character growth, shifting alliances, and complex magical mechanics.

While Landy has written other series, such as the darker, road-tripping horror of the Demon Road trilogy, his primary universe is the vast Skulduggery Pleasant saga. This main series is divided into three distinct narrative phases. To fully appreciate the story, you should read the main novels in publication order, inserting side stories and graphic novels at specific key junctions.

Phase I: The Original Saga (Books 1–9)

Phase I comprises the first nine novels. This arc focuses on the initial partnership of Skulduggery and Valkyrie as they discover the magical underworld hidden beneath modern-day Ireland, fight the return of ancient gods, and deal with the dark secrets of the magical war. Follow this order for the main novels in Phase I:

1. Skulduggery Pleasant / Scepter of the Ancients (2007)
2. Playing with Fire (2008)
3. The Faceless Ones (2008)
4. Dark Days (2010)
5. Mortal Coil (2010)
6. Death Bringer (2011)
7. Kingdom of the Wicked (2012)
8. Last Stand of Dead Men (2013)
9. The Dying of the Light (2014)

Integrating the Phase I Side Stories

While you can read the main novels straight through, Landy published several essential side stories during this period that introduce characters and subplots. The most important of these is the spin-off novel Tanith Low in the Maleficent Seven (2013). This book is not an optional extra; it takes place concurrently with the main events and must be read between Book 7 (Kingdom of the Wicked) and Book 8 (Last Stand of Dead Men) to avoid confusion regarding Tanith's character arc.

Other minor stories, such as The Lost Art of World Domination (2011), Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon (2011), and The End of the World (2012) can be read in their publication slots. Most of these short stories are collected in the anthology Armageddon Outta Here (2014), which is best read after Book 8 or Book 9, though individual stories can be woven in chronological order if preferred.

Phase II: The Sequel Series (Books 10–15)

After a brief hiatus, Landy returned to his signature world with Phase II. This phase jumps forward in time, showing a slightly older, battle-weary Valkyrie coping with the aftermath of Phase I alongside a reconstructed magical society. The main Phase II books are:

1. Resurrection (2017)
2. Midnight (2018)
3. Bedlam (2019)
4. Seasons of War (2020)
5. Dead or Alive (2021)
6. Until the End (2022)

Phase II Companion Works

Between the later novels, Landy released additional lore and stories. The Skulduggery Pleasant Grimoire (2021) is a guide and recap book that should be read after Book 14 (Dead or Alive) or Book 15 (Until the End). It fills in historical gaps and serves as a retrospective of the first 14 books. Additionally, the short story Apocalypse Kings (2021) was released for World Book Day and fits neatly between Seasons of War and Dead or Alive.

Phase III: The Detective Returns (Books 16+)

Phase III represents the latest chapter in the Skulduggery Pleasant universe. It shifts focus back toward the detective and mystery elements that defined the earliest books while introducing new threats. The books in this phase include:

1. A Mind Full of Murder (2024)
2. A Heart Full of Hatred (2025)
3. A Soul Full of Shadows (2026)

The Prequel and Graphic Novel Bridges

Two critical standalone publications were released around the transition to Phase III:

• Hell Breaks Loose (2023): This novel is technically a prequel set in 1703, focusing on Skulduggery's dead comrades, the Dead Men. However, reading it first is a major mistake. It contains significant spoilers for the end of Phase II and relies on your knowledge of the characters' fates. You should read this book after Book 15 (Until the End).
• Bad Magic (2023): This graphic novel serves as a standalone story set in a small, creepy English town. In the timeline, it is positioned between Book 15 (Until the End) and Book 16 (A Mind Full of Murder), acting as a bridge to Phase III.

The Demon Road Trilogy

If you want a break from Skulduggery, the Demon Road trilogy is Derek Landy's secondary major work. It has no connection to the Skulduggery Pleasant universe, making it a perfect standalone read. The trilogy follows Amber Lamont, a teenager who discovers her parents are demons who intend to sacrifice and eat her. She escapes on a supernatural road trip across America. Read these books in order:

1. Demon Road (2015)
2. Desolation (2016)
3. American Monsters (2016)

Other Works: Marvel Comics and Doctor Who

Landy has also written for established pop-culture franchises. For Marvel Comics, he penned the graphic novel Black Order: The Warmasters of Thanos (2019), showcasing his signature action-heavy dialogue. He also contributed to the 50th-anniversary celebrations of Doctor Who with the e-short The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage (2013), featuring the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones. This story is included in various multi-author anthologies, such as Doctor Who: 11 Doctors, 11 Stories.