Lish McBride Books in Order (Updated March 10, 2026)

Lish McBride’s books split into three useful lanes. There is the Sam / Necromancer line, the Firebug books in the same world, and then a separate shelf of standalones and adult paranormal romance.

That matters more than one giant master list, because not everything she writes belongs to the same continuity or the same audience.

First, pick the right entry point

Start with Hold Me Closer, Necromancer if you want her signature YA voice first. Start with A Little Too Familiar if you want the adult paranormal romance series. Start with Curses if you want a standalone fairy-tale fantasy. Start with Red in Tooth and Claw if you want her darkest recent YA novel.

The books that actually connect

Sam / Necromancer

1. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer (2010): Sam LaCroix is dragged into Seattle’s supernatural underworld when he learns he is a necromancer, turning a slacker-horror setup into the foundation of McBride’s best-known series.
2. Necromancing the Stone (2012): Sam’s story continues directly, so this is a true second book rather than a same-world spinoff.

This is still the cleanest place to begin with Lish McBride. Her FAQ says there are currently two Sam novels, and that a third Sam book is being drafted on Patreon but is not yet scheduled for wider release.

Firebug

1. Firebug (2014): Ava, a firestarter raised inside a criminal magical system, leads a darker East Coast branch of McBride’s supernatural world.
2. Pyromantic (2015): Ava’s story continues directly, with the same characters and fallout carrying over from book one.

Her FAQ says Firebug is set in the same world as the Sam books, but on the opposite coast with new characters, and that side characters cameo in Pyromantic. That makes these books connected, but not required before starting Sam.

The separate books

1. Curses (2021): A standalone, contemporary-feeling fantasy riff on “Beauty and the Beast,” built around a cursed family, sharp banter, and no dependence on McBride’s other books.
2. Red in Tooth and Claw (2024 hardcover / 2025 paperback): A dark YA Western fantasy about monsters, secrets, and survival in a remote settlement, entirely separate from the Necromancer / Firebug world.
3. Most Likely to Murder (2026): A YA horror-thriller about two best friends caught in escalating threats tied to yearbook superlatives, and it appears to stand alone rather than start a series.

The adult books

Uncanny series

1. A Little Too Familiar (2022): Louise, an apprentice animal mage, and Declan, a werewolf trying to rebuild his life, open McBride’s adult paranormal romance line.
2. Rough Around the Hedges (2023): Will and Vanessa take over in the second Uncanny novel, continuing the same world but with a new central couple.
3. The Suitcase Swap (2025): Listed by McBride with an April 2025 UK release and August 2025 US release, and shelved with her adult books rather than her YA titles.
4. Bevy of Trouble (2026): Listed on her books page as Uncanny #3 for 2026.
5. Untitled Uncanny #4 (2027?): Also listed on her books page as planned, but not far enough along to treat as a fully confirmed bibliographic entry yet.

McBride’s FAQ confirms more books were planned after Rough Around the Hedges, and her books page now names Bevy of Trouble as the next Uncanny book.

Best reading order for most readers

1. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer (2010): The best overall entry point and still her most identifiable series opener.
2. Necromancing the Stone (2012): Read immediately after, because it is the direct continuation.
3. Firebug (2014): Then move to the same world from a new angle.
4. Pyromantic (2015): Finish Ava’s arc while the shared-world details are still fresh.
5. Curses (2021): Then take the standalone fantasy once you know McBride’s voice.
6. Red in Tooth and Claw (2024): After that, try her darker recent YA work.
7. Most Likely to Murder (2026): Add the new thriller last if you want the newest YA direction.

This order keeps the shared-world books together first, then moves into the unrelated standalones. It is the neatest way to avoid mixing genres and continuities too early.

Best reading order if you only want adult romance

1. A Little Too Familiar (2022): The opening Uncanny novel, centered on Louise and Declan.
2. Rough Around the Hedges (2023): Stay in the same magical-romance world, but with a different couple.
3. The Suitcase Swap (2025): Continue into her later adult work after the first two Uncanny books.
4. Bevy of Trouble (2026): Add next when reading the series forward.

This is the cleanest lane for readers who do not want YA at all.

Complete Lish McBride books in publication order

1. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer (2010): Sam’s supernatural awakening starts McBride’s best-known YA line.
2. Necromancing the Stone (2012): Sam’s direct sequel.
3. Firebug (2014): Same world, new lead, new coast.
4. Pyromantic (2015): Firebug sequel.
5. Curses (2021): Standalone fairy-tale fantasy.
6. A Little Too Familiar (2022): Uncanny #1 and her adult paranormal romance launch.
7. Rough Around the Hedges (2023): Uncanny #2.
8. Red in Tooth and Claw (2024): Standalone YA Western horror-fantasy.
9. The Suitcase Swap (2025): Adult novel listed after the first two Uncanny books.
10. Most Likely to Murder (2026): New YA horror-thriller.

That is the most useful full-book order from the currently public bibliography on her site and publisher pages.

Short fiction and extras

McBride’s books page and FAQ also list several short works. The Sam-world extras are Heads Will Roll, We Should Get Jerseys ’Cause We Make a Good Team, Death & Waffles, and the bundle Freaks & Other Family. The Firebug side story is Burnt Sugar. She also lists standalone short pieces such as School of Fish, Toad Problem, and Just the Mustache. These are optional, and none should come before the main novels.

Do Lish McBride’s books need to be read in order?

Only within their own lanes. The Sam books should be read in sequence. The Firebug books should also be read in sequence. The Uncanny books are linked by world and branding, but they work more like companion romances than one continuous plotline. Curses, Red in Tooth and Claw, and Most Likely to Murder stand apart.

Where should new readers start?

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is the safest recommendation. It is the book most associated with her name, it opens the best-known continuity, and it gives you the clearest version of her humor-horror blend.

Curses is the best first pick if you want only one book.

A Little Too Familiar is the right first choice if your real target is adult paranormal romance, not YA.

Latest release status

The newest Lish McBride book already published that I could verify is The Suitcase Swap in 2025 on her own books page, while the newest currently upcoming title with a full publisher listing is Most Likely to Murder, available March 24, 2026. Her site also lists Bevy of Trouble for 2026 as the next Uncanny book.

FAQ

What is Lish McBride’s first book?

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer (2010): It is her debut and the start of the Sam books.

Are Firebug and Hold Me Closer, Necromancer connected?

Yes. McBride’s FAQ says Firebug is set in the same world as the Sam books, but on the opposite coast with new characters.

Is Curses part of a series?

No. It is a standalone.

Is A Little Too Familiar YA?

No. McBride’s site files it under her adult books and labels it Uncanny #1.

What is Lish McBride’s newest book?

Among books already out, her site lists The Suitcase Swap (2025) after Rough Around the Hedges. The next upcoming book with a full publisher page is Most Likely to Murder (2026).