Kim Harrison Books in Order (Updated April 28, 2026)

Kim Harrison is best known for The Hollows, the long-running urban fantasy series about witch and runner Rachel Morgan.

She also writes science-fantasy, young adult urban fantasy, psychological thriller, and traditional fantasy. Some of those books use the Kim Harrison name, while the earlier traditional fantasy novels were published as Dawn Cook.

The important rule is not to fold everything into one timeline. The Hollows, Peri Reed, Madison Avery, The Shadow Age, Eclipsed Evolution, and the Dawn Cook books are separate reading paths.

The Main Doorway

1. Start with Dead Witch Walking if you want Kim Harrison’s signature series.
2. Start with Three Kinds of Lucky if you want her newer contemporary fantasy work.
3. Start with The Drafter if you want futuristic thriller/speculative fiction.
4. Start with First Truth only if you specifically want the Dawn Cook traditional fantasy novels.

The Hollows Books in Order

Read these in publication order for a first read. The series follows Rachel Morgan’s relationships, power, enemies, reputation, and supernatural politics across many books.

1. Dead Witch Walking (2004): Rachel Morgan quits her job as a supernatural runner and immediately becomes a target, opening the Hollows with witches, vampires, pixies, and a dangerous Cincinnati underworld.
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (2005): Rachel investigates supernatural murders while her partnership with Ivy and Jenks becomes more complicated.
3. Every Which Way But Dead (2005): Rachel’s demon dealings grow more dangerous, and her personal life starts carrying heavier magical consequences.
4. A Fistful of Charms (2006): The series widens beyond Cincinnati as Rachel’s loyalties and risks become more personal.
5. For a Few Demons More (2007): Rachel’s demon-marked life and the city’s political tensions collide in one of the series’ major turning-point books.
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails (2008): Rachel faces more fallout from her demon connections while old family truths and new threats press closer.
7. White Witch, Black Curse (2009): Rachel searches for answers after a devastating loss, making this one of the more emotionally loaded Hollows entries.
8. Black Magic Sanction (2010): Rachel becomes a target of supernatural law and has to fight for her freedom as much as her survival.
9. Pale Demon (2011): A road-trip structure pushes Rachel, Trent, and the wider cast into major shifts that affect the rest of the series.
10. A Perfect Blood (2012): Rachel’s identity and magical status remain under pressure as a new threat turns her own nature into part of the case.
11. Ever After (2013): The demon side of the series becomes central, with Rachel forced to protect both the ever-after and the people tied to her.
12. The Undead Pool (2014): Rachel and Trent’s relationship moves forward while magic across the city becomes unstable.
13. The Witch with No Name (2014): The original Hollows arc reaches its first large conclusion, resolving long-running conflicts around Rachel, vampires, demons, and the people she loves.
14. American Demon (2020): The series returns after the original finale, showing Rachel dealing with the consequences of peace rather than a clean ending.
15. Million Dollar Demon (2021): Rachel’s position in Cincinnati’s supernatural power structure becomes more official and more dangerous.
16. Trouble with the Cursed (2022): Vampire politics return to the center as Rachel is pulled into another fragile, high-stakes supernatural conflict.
17. Demons of Good and Evil (2023): Rachel’s friends, allies, and demon ties come under pressure as a new magical enemy works to dismantle her support.
18. Demon’s Bluff (2024): Rachel faces a time-bending Hollows problem that forces the series to revisit old stakes from a new angle.

The Hollows Prequel and Companion Material

These books and stories expand the Hollows world. They are useful, but not all of them should be read before the main novels.

1. The Turn (2017): A prequel set during the earlier history of the Hollows, showing events that helped create the world Rachel later inherits.
2. Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil (2006): An Ivy-focused novella that gives useful background on vampire politics and Ivy’s life before the main series.
3. Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel (2008): A Rachel prequel novella involving Robbie and Pierce, best read after you already understand Rachel’s world.
4. Dirty Magic (2008): A Mia-focused short story that adds another angle to the Hollows’ supernatural rules.
5. The Bridges of Eden Park (2008): A Rachel and Kisten short story that matters most to readers invested in that relationship.
6. The Bespelled (2008): A Ceri and Al short story that gives extra context for demon-world history and character backstory.
7. Ley Line Drifter (2009): A Bis and Jenks novella that expands the Hollows from the pixy and gargoyle side.
8. Trouble on Reserve (2013): A Rachel and Trent short story often placed around the Ever After period.
9. Waylaid (2016): A crossover novella between The Hollows and Peri Reed, optional for both series but best after you know both worlds.
10. The Hollows Insider (2011): A full-color world guide with background material, character details, and setting information rather than a novel.
11. Blood Work (2011): A graphic novel about Rachel’s early time interning under Ivy at the Inderland Security service.
12. Blood Crime (2012): The second Hollows graphic novel, continuing the early Rachel-and-Ivy material.

Best Hollows Reading Order

For a first read, use this path:

1. Dead Witch Walking (2004): Begin Rachel’s story where the published series begins.
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (2005): Continue the early runner-and-partner setup.
3. Every Which Way But Dead (2005): Keep the demon complications in order.
4. A Fistful of Charms (2006): Follow the relationship and loyalty shifts.
5. For a Few Demons More (2007): Read before the later emotional fallout.
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails (2008): Continue into the deeper family and demon mythology.
7. White Witch, Black Curse (2009): Stay in sequence because earlier losses and questions matter.
8. Black Magic Sanction (2010): Follow Rachel’s legal and magical crisis.
9. Pale Demon (2011): Read before the later Rachel-Trent developments.
10. A Perfect Blood (2012): Continue Rachel’s post-Pale Demon identity arc.
11. Ever After (2013): Read before The Undead Pool because demon-world stakes carry forward.
12. The Undead Pool (2014): Continue the late original-series arc.
13. The Witch with No Name (2014): Finish the original Hollows ending here.
14. The Turn (2017): Read the prequel after the original arc so it expands the world without spoiling the sense of discovery.
15. American Demon (2020): Begin the revived Hollows era.
16. Million Dollar Demon (2021): Continue Rachel’s new role in Cincinnati.
17. Trouble with the Cursed (2022): Read after Million Dollar Demon because Rachel’s public position matters.
18. Demons of Good and Evil (2023): Continue the later-era threat line.
19. Demon’s Bluff (2024): Read last among the currently published Hollows novels.

Add the novellas and graphic novels after the main books unless you are doing a completist reread.

The Peri Reed Chronicles in Order

This is a separate futuristic speculative thriller series. It is not a Hollows sequel, though Waylaid crosses the two worlds.

1. Sideswiped (2015): A prequel novella introducing Peri Reed’s world of time manipulation, memory loss, and government control.
2. The Drafter (2015): Peri Reed discovers that her life as an elite agent is built on manipulation, betrayal, and erased memories.
3. Waylaid (2016): A Hollows/Peri Reed crossover novella, optional but useful if you enjoy both Rachel Morgan and Peri Reed.
4. The Operator (2016): Peri’s story continues as she tries to survive the people and systems that used her abilities.

The Agent: This title has been referenced by Harrison as a planned or written continuation, but it has not been released as a standard published book. Do not include it as part of the available reading order.

Madison Avery Books in Order

Madison Avery is young adult urban fantasy and should be read separately from The Hollows.

1. Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper (2007): The short story that introduces Madison’s death-linked supernatural setup.
2. Once Dead, Twice Shy (2009): Madison’s main series begins after death leaves her caught in a strange supernatural role.
3. Early to Death, Early to Rise (2010): Madison’s responsibilities deepen as she learns more about the reaper system around her.
4. Something Deadly This Way Comes (2011): The trilogy closes Madison’s arc with the largest confrontation over fate, death, and choice.

Read the short story first if you want the complete setup. Start with Once Dead, Twice Shy if you only want the novels.

The Shadow Age Books in Order

This is Harrison’s newer contemporary fantasy series.

1. Three Kinds of Lucky (2024): Petra Grady works with magical waste called dross and discovers that the thing others dismiss may be the key to changing her world.
2. Secondhand Luck (2026): Petra’s story continues as the threat around dross, hidden power, and old forces expands.

Read Three Kinds of Lucky first. This is a continuing series, not a loose set of standalones.

Eclipsed Evolution Books in Order

This is a three-part serialized first-contact fantasy/science-fiction project.

1. First Contact (2024): A solar eclipse opens contact between humanity and paranormal beings, placing a scientist at the center of a dangerous new reality.
2. Totality (2024): The second phase continues the consequences of contact as trust, survival, and power become harder to separate.
3. Emergence (2024): The serialized story closes with the largest test of what this new contact means for both worlds.

Read all three in order. They are phases of one story rather than independent novels.

Standalone Kim Harrison Novel

• PERfunctory afFECTION (2019): A psychological thriller about control, perception, and emotional fracture, separate from Harrison’s fantasy series.

This book does not connect to The Hollows, Peri Reed, Madison Avery, or The Shadow Age.

Dawn Cook: Truth Books in Order

Kim Harrison’s earlier traditional fantasy novels were published as Dawn Cook.

1. First Truth (2002): Alissa leaves home in search of the Hold and begins a traditional fantasy journey tied to magic, inheritance, and hidden truth.
2. Hidden Truth (2002): Alissa’s training and discoveries continue as the world of the Hold becomes more dangerous and complicated.
3. Forgotten Truth (2003): The third book widens Alissa’s understanding of magic and the forces shaping her future.
4. Lost Truth (2004): The series concludes Alissa’s arc and resolves the major magical and personal conflicts.

Read these in order. They form one completed fantasy sequence.

Dawn Cook: Princess Books in Order

1. The Decoy Princess (2005): Tess discovers her role in a royal deception and is forced into danger, politics, and hidden identity.
2. Princess at Sea (2006): Tess’s story continues beyond the first book’s reveal, moving the political and romantic adventure into a wider setting.

Read The Decoy Princess first. The second book depends on the first book’s identity twist and political setup.

Kim Harrison Publication Order

This order is useful for readers who want to follow Harrison’s career across all names and genres.

1. First Truth (2002): Opens the Dawn Cook Truth fantasy series.
2. Hidden Truth (2002): Continues Alissa’s early magical training and discoveries.
3. Dead Witch Walking (2004): Begins The Hollows and introduces Rachel Morgan.
4. Forgotten Truth (2003): Expands the Truth fantasy arc.
5. Lost Truth (2004): Concludes the Truth series.
6. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (2005): Continues Rachel’s early Hollows cases.
7. Every Which Way But Dead (2005): Deepens Rachel’s demon entanglements.
8. The Decoy Princess (2005): Begins the Dawn Cook Princess duology.
9. A Fistful of Charms (2006): Moves Rachel’s story beyond Cincinnati.
10. Princess at Sea (2006): Continues Tess’s royal-adventure storyline.
11. For a Few Demons More (2007): Pushes The Hollows into major emotional consequences.
12. The Outlaw Demon Wails (2008): Brings family history and demon pressure forward.
13. White Witch, Black Curse (2009): Deals with grief, memory, and supernatural crime.
14. Once Dead, Twice Shy (2009): Begins the Madison Avery novel trilogy.
15. Black Magic Sanction (2010): Puts Rachel at odds with supernatural authority.
16. Early to Death, Early to Rise (2010): Continues Madison’s reaper story.
17. Pale Demon (2011): Repositions Rachel and Trent for the later Hollows books.
18. Something Deadly This Way Comes (2011): Concludes Madison Avery.
19. Blood Work (2011): Begins the Hollows graphic-novel prequel material.
20. The Hollows Insider (2011): Provides reference material for the Hollows world.
21. A Perfect Blood (2012): Continues Rachel’s identity and magic arc.
22. Blood Crime (2012): Continues Rachel and Ivy’s early graphic-novel story.
23. Into the Woods (2012): Collects Harrison short fiction, including Hollows material.
24. Ever After (2013): Centers the ever-after and demon consequences.
25. The Undead Pool (2014): Advances Rachel and Trent while destabilizing magic.
26. The Witch with No Name (2014): Concludes the original Hollows arc.
27. Sideswiped (2015): Introduces Peri Reed’s time-manipulation world.
28. The Drafter (2015): Begins Peri Reed’s main thriller storyline.
29. Waylaid (2016): Crosses Peri Reed with Rachel Morgan.
30. The Operator (2016): Continues Peri Reed’s fight against manipulation.
31. The Turn (2017): Returns to the Hollows’ earlier history.
32. PERfunctory afFECTION (2019): Moves into standalone psychological thriller territory.
33. American Demon (2020): Reopens The Hollows after the original ending.
34. Million Dollar Demon (2021): Continues Rachel’s later-era Cincinnati role.
35. Trouble with the Cursed (2022): Brings vampire politics back into Rachel’s life.
36. Demons of Good and Evil (2023): Expands the revived Hollows conflict.
37. Three Kinds of Lucky (2024): Launches The Shadow Age.
38. First Contact (2024): Opens Eclipsed Evolution.
39. Totality (2024): Continues Eclipsed Evolution.
40. Emergence (2024): Concludes the three-part Eclipsed Evolution story.
41. Demon’s Bluff (2024): Continues the later Hollows era.
42. Secondhand Luck (2026): Continues The Shadow Age.

Best Kim Harrison Reading Order

Use this route if you want the clearest experience without reading every short story first.

1. Dead Witch Walking (2004): Start with Rachel Morgan and The Hollows.
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (2005): Continue the core partnership and case structure.
3. Every Which Way But Dead (2005): Follow the early demon arc.
4. A Fistful of Charms (2006): Continue Rachel’s widening supernatural life.
5. For a Few Demons More (2007): Read before the emotional fallout of the later books.
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails (2008): Continue the demon and family mythology.
7. White Witch, Black Curse (2009): Stay in sequence for the grief and mystery threads.
8. Black Magic Sanction (2010): Follow Rachel’s fight against supernatural legal pressure.
9. Pale Demon (2011): Read before the late-series Rachel and Trent developments.
10. A Perfect Blood (2012): Continue the post-road-trip consequences.
11. Ever After (2013): Read before the final original-series stretch.
12. The Undead Pool (2014): Keep the relationship and magic arcs intact.
13. The Witch with No Name (2014): Finish the original Hollows arc.
14. The Turn (2017): Add the Hollows prequel after the original series.
15. American Demon (2020): Begin the revived Hollows era.
16. Million Dollar Demon (2021): Continue Rachel’s later public role.
17. Trouble with the Cursed (2022): Read before the newest demon-focused books.
18. Demons of Good and Evil (2023): Continue the late-series pressure on Rachel’s circle.
19. Demon’s Bluff (2024): Read last among current Hollows novels.
20. Three Kinds of Lucky (2024): Move into The Shadow Age after The Hollows.
21. Secondhand Luck (2026): Continue The Shadow Age.
22. The Drafter (2015): Try Peri Reed when you want a separate speculative thriller.
23. The Operator (2016): Finish the published Peri Reed novels.
24. Once Dead, Twice Shy (2009): Read Madison Avery for the young adult branch.
25. First Truth (2002): Read Dawn Cook’s traditional fantasy after the Kim Harrison urban fantasy if you want the author’s earlier work.

Chronological Notes

The only major Hollows chronological exception is The Turn, which takes place before Dead Witch Walking. Do not read it first unless you are rereading. It works better after the original Rachel Morgan arc because it explains history that the main series reveals gradually.

Sideswiped comes before The Drafter, but it is a novella. It can be read first, though many readers can safely begin Peri Reed with The Drafter.

Waylaid is optional. It is a crossover, not a required bridge between The Hollows and Peri Reed.

Latest Release Status

Demon’s Bluff (2024): The newest published Hollows novel as of this update.

Secondhand Luck (2026): The newest Kim Harrison book and the second Shadow Age novel.

A full-length continuation related to Eclipsed Evolution has been noted by the author for spring 2027, but it should be treated as upcoming until final publication details are confirmed.

FAQ

What Kim Harrison book should I read first?

Start with Dead Witch Walking. It is the first Rachel Morgan/Hollows book and the best entry point into Harrison’s main body of work.

Should I read The Turn before Dead Witch Walking?

No, not for a first read. The Turn is a prequel, but it works better after The Witch with No Name because it gives background to a world you already understand.

Are The Hollows books complete?

The original Rachel Morgan arc concluded with The Witch with No Name, but the series later continued with American Demon, Million Dollar Demon, Trouble with the Cursed, Demons of Good and Evil, and Demon’s Bluff.

Is Peri Reed connected to The Hollows?

Mostly no. Peri Reed is a separate series. Waylaid is a crossover novella, but the two series do not need to be read as one continuous timeline.

What did Kim Harrison write as Dawn Cook?

As Dawn Cook, she wrote the Truth series and the Princess duology. These are traditional fantasy, not Hollows urban fantasy.

Is The Shadow Age connected to The Hollows?

No. The Shadow Age is a separate contemporary fantasy series beginning with Three Kinds of Lucky.

Conclusion

The best Kim Harrison reading order starts with Dead Witch Walking and follows The Hollows in publication order.

Read the Hollows novellas, graphic novels, and world guide as companion material. Save The Turn until after the original Rachel Morgan arc. Then move into The Shadow Age, Peri Reed, Madison Avery, Eclipsed Evolution, or the Dawn Cook fantasy books depending on which side of Harrison’s work you want next.