H.D. Carlton Books in Order

This page lists H.D. Carlton books in publication order, plus Cat and Mouse reading paths, standalones, and related titles.

Quick Index

  • Scope: Novels, duets, prequels, spin-offs, anthologies, and related appearances
  • Default Order: Publication order
  • Best Starting Point: Haunting Adeline
  • Order Matters: Yes for Cat and Mouse, Zero Saga, and Hollow Graves Duet
  • Includes: Cat and Mouse, Zero Saga, Hollow Graves Duet, standalones, and anthology appearances

This page covers H.D. Carlton, the dark romance and romantic suspense author. The author’s official library separates the Cat and Mouse Duet from standalones, while reader and catalog listings also group Satan’s Affair, Where’s Molly, and Phantom into the wider Cat and Mouse universe.

Reading Paths

Publication Order

Recommended for catalog reading.

  1. Hollow
  2. Untainted
  3. Shallow River
  4. Satan’s Affair
  5. Haunting Adeline
  6. Hunting Adeline
  7. Does It Hurt?
  8. Where’s Molly
  9. Phantom
  10. My Dreadful Darling
  11. My Darling Reverie

Cat and Mouse Universe Order

Best for the Adeline-connected reading path.

  1. Phantom
  2. Satan’s Affair
  3. Haunting Adeline
  4. Hunting Adeline
  5. Where’s Molly

Use this for broad universe chronology. For the main duet only, read Haunting Adeline before Hunting Adeline. Fantastic Fiction lists Phantom as Cat and Mouse #0, Satan’s Affair as #0.5, Haunting Adeline as #1, Hunting Adeline as #2, and Where’s Molly as #3.

Series-by-Series Order

Best for one sequence at a time.

Zero Saga

  1. Hollow
  2. Untainted

Cat and Mouse Duet

  1. Haunting Adeline
  2. Hunting Adeline

Cat and Mouse Universe

  1. Phantom
  2. Satan’s Affair
  3. Haunting Adeline
  4. Hunting Adeline
  5. Where’s Molly

Hollow Graves Duet

  1. My Dreadful Darling
  2. My Darling Reverie

Beginner Path

Best for a shorter start.

  1. Haunting Adeline
  2. Hunting Adeline
  3. Satan’s Affair
  4. Where’s Molly
  5. Does It Hurt?
  6. Shallow River

Core-Only Path

Best for main connected material.

  1. Haunting Adeline
  2. Hunting Adeline
  3. Where’s Molly
  4. Phantom
  5. Satan’s Affair

Publication Order Master List

  • Hollow (2018) – Novel – Zero Saga #1
  • Untainted (2019) – Novel – Zero Saga #2
  • Shallow River (2020) – Novel – Standalone
  • Satan’s Affair (2021) – Short novel – Cat and Mouse universe #0.5
  • Haunting Adeline (2021) – Novel – Cat and Mouse Duet #1
  • Hunting Adeline (2022) – Novel – Cat and Mouse Duet #2
  • Does It Hurt? (2022) – Novel – Standalone
  • Where’s Molly (2024) – Novel – Cat and Mouse spin-off
  • Phantom (2025) – Novel – Cat and Mouse universe prequel
  • My Dreadful Darling (2026) – Novel – Hollow Graves Duet #1
  • My Darling Reverie (2026) – Novel – Hollow Graves Duet #2

H.D. Carlton’s official library currently lists Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline under the Cat and Mouse Duet, My Dreadful Darling and My Darling Reverie under the MDD Duet, and Shallow River, Satan’s Affair, Does It Hurt?, Where’s Molly, and Phantom under standalones.

Related Works and Where They Fit

Anthology and Collection Appearances

  • Heartless Heroes (2022) – Collection – Contains work by H.D. Carlton
  • Dissent: Volume 1 (2022) – Collection appearance – Listed in bibliographic records
  • The Love Archives 1 (2024) – Collection appearance – Bonus scenes and excerpts
  • The Love Archives 2 (2024) – Collection appearance
  • Dissent Volume 4 – Collection appearance – Listed on Carlton’s official library

Treat these as related appearances rather than required reading for the main book order. Fantastic Fiction lists Heartless Heroes, Dissent: Volume 1, The Love Archives 1, and The Love Archives 2 as books containing stories by H.D. Carlton, while the author’s official library also lists Dissent Volume 4 in the “Appears In” section.

Cat and Mouse Placement

  • Haunting Adeline – First main duet novel
  • Hunting Adeline – Second main duet novel
  • Satan’s Affair – Prequel or companion placement in the wider universe
  • Where’s Molly – Spin-off after the main duet
  • Phantom – Prequel placement in wider Cat and Mouse catalog listings

Hollow Graves Duet

  • My Dreadful Darling – Book 1
  • My Darling Reverie – Book 2

My Dreadful Darling is listed with an April 21, 2026 publication date. My Darling Reverie is listed by Amazon with an August 27, 2026 publication date, although some earlier catalog listings showed May 2026.

Dependencies & Notes

  • Read Haunting Adeline before Hunting Adeline. Haunting Adeline ends on a cliffhanger according to Carlton’s official Cat and Mouse page.
  • Read Where’s Molly after Hunting Adeline for best context.
  • Read Satan’s Affair before the duet only if following the wider Cat and Mouse universe order.
  • Read Phantom before Satan’s Affair only if following chronological or prequel-first order.
  • Read Hollow before Untainted due to Zero Saga continuity.
  • Read My Dreadful Darling before My Darling Reverie because they form a duet.
  • Standalones can be read separately.
  • Alternate covers, special editions, hardbacks, and rereleases are not counted as separate story entries.
  • Check the author’s official library for content warnings before reading, especially for Cat and Mouse titles.

FAQs

What is the best H.D. Carlton reading order?

Publication order is the best full-catalog default. For the most common connected path, read Haunting Adeline, Hunting Adeline, then Where’s Molly.

Should I read Satan’s Affair before Haunting Adeline?

Optional. Retail listings for Satan’s Affair recommend reading it before Haunting Adeline in the Cat and Mouse universe order, but the author’s official site lists Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline as the Cat and Mouse Duet.

Is Phantom part of Cat and Mouse?

It is best treated as a Cat and Mouse universe prequel. The author’s library lists it under standalones, while Fantastic Fiction lists it as Cat and Mouse #0.

Should I read Where’s Molly after Hunting Adeline?

Yes. Where’s Molly is a Cat and Mouse spin-off and is best read after the main duet. Amazon’s listing describes the Cat and Mouse universe order as Satan’s Affair, Haunting Adeline, Hunting Adeline, then Where’s Molly.

Is Cat and Mouse complete?

The main Cat and Mouse Duet is complete with Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline. The wider universe also includes Satan’s Affair, Where’s Molly, and Phantom in catalog listings.

Are Shallow River and Does It Hurt? connected?

They are listed as standalones. They do not need to be read before Cat and Mouse.

What is the next H.D. Carlton book?

The next listed Hollow Graves Duet title after My Dreadful Darling is My Darling Reverie. Its current Amazon listing gives August 27, 2026 as the publication date.

Change Log

  • Last checked: June 13, 2026
  • What changed: Added Phantom as a 2025 Cat and Mouse universe prequel; added Hollow Graves Duet entries for 2026; noted date variation for My Darling Reverie
  • Most recent known release included: Phantom (2025)
  • Most recent announced title included: My Darling Reverie (2026)