The Dark Descent Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of The Dark Descent books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: January 2026
Publication Order
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction March 1953
Buy on Amazon1953
Star Science Fiction Stories No. 3 - F-675
Buy on Amazon1954
Star Science Fiction Stories 3
Buy on Amazon1955
Best of Science Fiction: No. 10
Buy on Amazon1964
If This Goes On
Buy on Amazon1965
Fantastic Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine, January 1967
Buy on Amazon1967
Space Suits & Gumshoes
Buy on Amazon1972
Star Science Fiction Stories No. 5
Buy on Amazon1972
The Devil's Generation
Buy on Amazon1973
Great Black Magic Stories
Buy on Amazon1974
Rod Serling's Other Worlds
Buy on Amazon1978
65 Great Spine Chillers
Buy on Amazon1982
Laughing Space: An Anthology of Science Fiction Humor
Buy on Amazon1982
Great Tales of Fantasy and Science Fiction
Buy on Amazon1985
Rod Serling's Night Gallery Reader
Buy on Amazon1987
The Monster Book of Monsters
Buy on Amazon1988
The Best Horror Stories from the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
Buy on Amazon1988
Hot Blood Tales of Erotic Horror
Buy on Amazon1989
Second Annual Collection
Buy on Amazon1989
The Year's Best Fantasy 2 / Demons and Dreams
Buy on Amazon1990
Volume II: The Medusa In The Shield
Buy on Amazon1990
An Exploration of Horror: Foundations of Fear
Buy on Amazon1992
Foundations of Fear: Volume III: Visions of Fear
Buy on Amazon1994
Robert Bloch: Appreciations of the Master
Buy on Amazon1995
American Pulp
Buy on Amazon1997
The Young Oxford Book of Nasty Endings
Buy on Amazon1998
Taps and Sighs
Buy on Amazon2000
Stranger: Dark Tales of Eerie Encounters
Buy on Amazon2002
Kiss the Whip
Buy on Amazon2005
Masques V
Buy on Amazon2006
The Best of Cemetery Dance II
Buy on Amazon2008
The Dead That Walk
Buy on Amazon2009
Haunts: Reliquaries of the Dead
Buy on Amazon2011
The Mammoth Book of Body Horror
Buy on Amazon2012
The Time Traveler's Almanac
Buy on Amazon2013
Flight or Fright
Buy on Amazon2018
Frequently Asked Questions
The recommended reading order for the The Dark Descent series is publication order: 1. The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction March 1953 (1953), 2. Star Science Fiction Stories No. 3 - F-675 (1954), 3. Star Science Fiction Stories 3 (1955), 4. Best of Science Fiction: No. 10 (1964), 5. If This Goes On (1965), and 31 more. This is generally the best way to experience the story as the author intended.
The The Dark Descent series by Richard Matheson contains 36 books. The series began in 1953 and continues to be a popular choice for readers.
The The Dark Descent series is written by Richard Matheson. You can find more books and series by this author on our website.
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