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Once Upon A Midnight
Nora Roberts

Once Upon A Midnight

Quick Answer

Start with "Once Upon A Midnight" to begin the Once Upon (Anthology Novellas). It is the essential series starter and provides the necessary foundation for the rest of the books.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

❓ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

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 Nora Roberts's core world and character arcs. It is required reading for all new fans.

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2013134 ppNovellaOptional Side StorySeries Starter
AWARD-WINNING STORIES from USA TODAY bestselling author Carole Nelson Douglas, featuring mystery icons Sam Spade and Edgar Allan Poe. Interior illustrations designed by the author. Noir urban fantasy paranormal investigator Delilah Street and iconic contemporary feline sleuth Midnight Louie team up for a trio of tales, including one based on an Edgar Allan Poe story fragment found after his death. From Sam Spade's "black bird"--the priceless Maltese Falcon--to Poe's "The Raven," Louie and Delilah keep up with their noted detective forebears. Stories published previously in anthologies are collected here for the first time: "Bogieman" from Unusual Suspects; "Butterfly Kiss" from The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2; "The Riches That There Lie" from Poe's Lighthouse.
Next Recommended Book

Once Upon A Dream

Book #2 of 2 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

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Once Upon (Anthology Novellas) 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 Once Upon A Midnight?

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Can I read Once Upon A Midnight before other books in the series?

Yes. Once Upon A Midnight is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is Once Upon A Midnight required reading for the Once Upon (Anthology Novellas)?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after Once Upon A Midnight in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Once Upon A Midnight is Once Upon A Dream (Book #2).