D.M. Guay Books in Order

Start Here: The Recommended Reading Path for D.M. Guay

D.M. Guay is best known for her hilarious, campy, and gore-spattered horror-comedy books. While she has written in other genres, the premier starting point for any reader is her hit series, 24/7 Demon Mart. The recommended path is to read the books in order of publication. This allows you to watch the characters grow, see the convenience store's lore expand, and understand the recurring jokes that make the series so beloved.

Here is the ideal reading path for the 24/7 Demon Mart universe, integrating the main novels with the companion novellas and short reads:

1. The Graveyard Shift (2019) - The essential starting point. This introduces Lloyd Wallace, the slacker hero who takes a job at a convenience store that happens to sit on a gateway to hell, along with his kung-fu co-worker Dee-Dee and the fan-favorite talking cockroach, Kevin.
2. Hell for the Holidays (2019) - A festive companion novella. Read this immediately after the first book to enjoy a demon-infested Christmas special.
3. Monster Burger (2020) - The second full-length novel in the main series, raising the stakes with a zombie outbreak.
4. Critters from the Poo Lagoon (2020) - A creature-feature companion novella that serves as a fun side adventure.
5. Angel Trouble (2021) - The third main novel, introducing a grim reaper and plenty of celestial chaos.
6. Kevin vs. The Mothman (2021) - A quick-read short story focusing on the iconic cockroach Kevin facing off against the legendary cryptid.
7. (Re)Possessed (2022) - The fourth main novel (frequently listed under the title Possessed in some retail systems).
8. Kevin vs. The Loveland Frogs (2022) - Another fun cryptid short story featuring Kevin.
9. Revenge of the Furballs (2023) - The fifth main novel in the series.
10. Kevin vs. Lloyd (2023) - A novella-length companion story exploring the hilarious dynamic between the series' two central characters.
11. Disenchanted (2024) - The sixth main novel in the series.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Reading Order

For the core narrative, publication order and chronological order are virtually identical. The main novels—The Graveyard Shift, Monster Burger, Angel Trouble, (Re)Possessed, Revenge of the Furballs, and Disenchanted—form a linear storyline that must be read in order. Skipping one will leave you confused about character development, relationships, and the evolving state of the Demon Mart's gateway to hell.

However, the companion books (like the holiday specials and the Kevin vs. series) offer more flexibility. While they fit chronologically around the publication order listed above, they are designed as self-contained adventures. You can safely skip them and read only the main novels if you want a faster run through the main plot. That said, most fans recommend reading them in publication order because they introduce minor characters and running jokes that carry over into the background of the main novels.

One practical tip for audiobook listeners: the audio editions of the main novels sometimes include the short stories as bonus content. For example, Kevin vs. The Mothman is bundled with the audiobook of (Re)Possessed, and Kevin vs. Lloyd is included with Disenchanted.

The 24/7 Demon Mart Universe: Main Novels and Companions

To help you navigate the shelf, it is useful to separate the 24/7 Demon Mart books into their specific formats. The series is divided into three distinct styles of releases:

The Core Novels

These are the full-length books that drive the main plot. They should be read in sequence:

• The Graveyard Shift (Book 1): Establishes the setting, the rules of the gateway, and the main trio of Lloyd, Dee-Dee, and Kevin.
• Monster Burger (Book 2): Pits the graveyard shift crew against a local zombie apocalypse.
• Angel Trouble (Book 3): Brings angels, reapers, and cosmic bureaucracy to the store.
• (Re)Possessed (Book 4): Lloyd faces the ultimate test when demons try to take over more than just the store. Note that some retailers list this simply as Possessed.
• Revenge of the Furballs (Book 5): A hilarious and chaotic battle against cute but deadly invaders.
• Disenchanted (Book 6): Lloyd and the gang deal with hexes, curses, and magical mishaps.

The Companion Stories

These are longer novellas that expand the world, focusing on seasonal themes or specific creature features:

• Hell for the Holidays: A Christmas-themed demon romp.
• Critters from the Poo Lagoon: A B-movie style creature feature set in the local lagoon.

The "Kevin vs." Short Reads

These are bite-sized stories starring Kevin the cockroach as he matches wits with famous cryptids and his roommate Lloyd:

• Kevin vs. The Mothman
• Kevin vs. The Loveland Frogs
• Kevin vs. Lloyd

Guardians of Salt Creek: A Young Adult Paranormal Trilogy

Before launching her comedy-horror universe, D.M. Guay wrote a young adult paranormal romance and mystery trilogy called Guardians of Salt Creek. This series is completely separate from the Demon Mart universe and features a much more serious, mysterious tone. It follows seventeen-year-old Jess Flowers as she moves to a town filled with dark secrets and discovers her own developing supernatural powers.

This trilogy must be read in strict chronological order:

1. Jess, Rising (2017)
2. Jess, Resurrected (2017)
3. Jess, Redeemed (2019)

If you enjoy supernatural mysteries, YA romance, and small-town secrets, this completed trilogy is a great secondary path to explore.

Standalone Horror-Comedies

In addition to her series, Guay has written standalone horror-comedy stories that showcase her signature blend of Cthulhu-style monsters and everyday humor. These can be read at any time without any prior knowledge:

• Bake Off (2022) - A short story pitched as The Great British Bake Off meets Call of Cthulhu, featuring an 82-year-old grandmother judging a charity bake-off that gets invaded by ancient cosmic evils.
• Christmas Creeps from the Deep (2025) - A holiday creature feature about a lonely man who accidentally joins a Cthulhu cult and brings terror to his small town.

What to Know Before You Start

D.M. Guay's horror-comedy books are heavily influenced by campy B-movies, stand-up comedy, and authors like Christopher Moore and Terry Pratchett. Expect plenty of PG-13 and adult humor, fast-paced dialogue, and ridiculous situations mixed with genuine monster movie violence.

If you prefer audiobooks, the 24/7 Demon Mart series is widely praised for its narration by Todd Haberkorn, who brings Kevin the cockroach's distinct voice to life. Finally, readers should know that D.M. Guay is a stage 4 kidney cancer survivor who donates a portion of her book royalties to the Kidney Cancer Research Alliance (KCCure), meaning your purchases directly support cancer research.