
Prodigal Son
Start with "Prodigal Son" to begin the Dean Koontz's Frankenstein (The Prodigal Son Series). It is the essential series starter and provides the necessary foundation for the rest of the books.
🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot
This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.
Verdict Insight: This is the essential series starter that introduces the Dean Koontz's core world and character arcs. It is required reading for all new fans.
City Of Night
Book #2 of 5 in Series
Complete Series Reading Order
Publication Order
Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Chronological Order
May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.
Order Confidence
Why this order?
These novels, initially co-written with collaborators (Kevin J. Anderson for 'Prodigal Son' and Ed Gorman for 'City of Night'), were retrospectively re-credited solely to Dean Koontz in all new editions, following the confirmation of the third book's authorship.
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Dean Koontz's Frankenstein (The Prodigal Son Series) conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip reading Prodigal Son?
This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.
Can I read Prodigal Son before other books in the series?
Yes. Prodigal Son is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.
Is Prodigal Son required reading for the Dean Koontz's Frankenstein (The Prodigal Son Series)?
No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.
What comes after Prodigal Son in the reading order?
The next recommended book after Prodigal Son is City Of Night (Book #2).



