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Quick answer: If you like the Mercy Thompson series, read Patricia Briggs's Alpha and Omega novel Cry Wolf, then Dead Until Dark, Storm Front, Magic Bites and Kitty and the Midnight Hour. All feature strong heroines in a world full of supernatural creatures.
Briggs's books follow Mercy, a mechanic and coyote shifter who lives among werewolves, vampires and fae in the Tri-Cities of Washington. Readers enjoy her practical humour, her loyalty and the slow-building romance. The picks below offer urban fantasy with similar warmth and action.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cry Wolf | Patricia Briggs | Adult | same universe |
| Dead Until Dark | Charlaine Harris | Adult | vampire mysteries |
| Storm Front | Jim Butcher | Adult | wizard detectives |
| Magic Bites | Ilona Andrews | Adult | kick-butt heroines |
| Kitty and the Midnight Hour | Carrie Vaughn | Adult | werewolf stories |
| Bitten | Kelley Armstrong | Adult | werewolf romance |
| Rosemary and Rue | Seanan McGuire | Adult | fae detective stories |
| Hounded | Kevin Hearne | Adult | funny urban fantasy |
| Skinwalker | Faith Hunter | Adult | monster hunters |
| Halfway to the Grave | Jeaniene Frost | Adult | paranormal romance |
| Soulless | Gail Carriger | Adult | Victorian humour |
| Moon Over Soho | Ben Aaronovitch | Adult | London fantasy |
| Fated | Benedict Jacka | Adult | magic mysteries |
| Spider's Bite | Jennifer Estep | Adult | assassin heroines |
| Moon Called | Patricia Briggs | Adult | start here |
1. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
The first Alpha and Omega novel follows Anna, an Omega werewolf, and Charles, the Marrok's son. It shares Mercy's world and works as another series for fans.
Best for: same universe.
2. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress who can hear thoughts, falls for a vampire in Louisiana. The start of the Southern Vampire Mysteries.
Best for: vampire mysteries.
3. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden is a wizard detective in Chicago. Noir, humour and magic in a long-running series.
Best for: wizard detectives.
4. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Kate Daniels is a mercenary in a post-magic Atlanta. Action, romance and strong world-building.
Best for: kick-butt heroines.
5. Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Kitty is a werewolf who hosts a late-night radio show. Light, fun and the start of a series.
Best for: werewolf stories.
6. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
Elena is the only female werewolf and wants to leave the pack. The first Women of the Otherworld book.
Best for: werewolf romance.
7. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
October Daye is a half-fae detective in San Francisco. Moody, funny and the beginning of a long series.
Best for: fae detective stories.
8. Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Atticus is a druid who has lived for centuries and hides in Arizona. Funny and fast, with great banter.
Best for: funny urban fantasy.
9. Skinwalker by Faith Hunter
Jane Yellowrock is a skinwalker hired to hunt a rogue vampire in New Orleans. Dark, gritty and fast.
Best for: monster hunters.
10. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Cat Crawfield hunts vampires and teams up with one. Steamy and sassy.
Best for: paranormal romance.
11. Soulless by Gail Carriger
In Victorian London, Alexia Tarabotti has no soul and a talent for trouble. A witty and charming steampunk mystery.
Best for: Victorian humour.
12. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
Peter Grant investigates deaths tied to jazz musicians. Funny and clever.
Best for: London fantasy.
13. Fated by Benedict Jacka
Alex Verus is a diviner and shop owner in London. Quick-paced.
Best for: magic mysteries.
14. Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
Gin Blanco is an assassin in a fantasy city. Action, food and fast plotting.
Best for: assassin heroines.
15. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
The first Mercy Thompson novel for anyone who has not read it. Mercy helps a young werewolf in trouble.
Best for: start here.
How to Choose
If you want more Briggs, start with Moon Called if you have not read it and Cry Wolf for the Alpha and Omega series. For werewolf stories, pick Kitty and the Midnight Hour, Bitten or Skinwalker. For lighter, funnier adventures, try Hounded, Soulless or Moon Over Soho. For vampires and romance, read Dead Until Dark or Halfway to the Grave. If you like action, Magic Bites and Spider's Bite will keep you turning pages. If you finish the whole list and want more, many of these authors have long series, so you could be reading for months. Check each series' order before you begin, because the books build on each other.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mercy Thompson series about?
Mercy is a coyote shapeshifter and car mechanic who gets involved in the affairs of werewolves, vampires and fae.
What is the reading order?
Publication order is simplest. Alpha and Omega is a spin-off set in the same world, so you can read it alongside the Mercy books.
Is it romance?
Romance runs through it, but the focus is on mystery and action.
How spicy is it?
Mild to moderate, with most scenes off the page.
Is there a TV show?
No, though there are graphic novels and audiobooks.
Is Mercy Thompson a good series for new urban fantasy readers?
Yes, the first book is clear, tight and a good introduction to the genre.
Who writes the Mercy Thompson books?
Patricia Briggs, an American author whose series began in 2006.
Are there audiobooks?
Yes, and fans often praise the narration.
Do the Mercy Thompson books work as standalone novels?
Each case has its own plot, but the characters and relationships develop over the series, so order matters.
What is a good starter for a first-time urban fantasy fan?
Moon Called, Storm Front and Kitty and the Midnight Hour are all easy entry points.