You’ve probably seen the fan edits. Maybe it was a TikTok of a guy in a skull mask or a quote about "The Manipulator" and "The Shadow" that made you realize your TBR pile was missing something dangerously addictive. H.D. Carlton’s Cat and Mouse Duet is everywhere. But if you're just looking at the covers, you might not realize that the haunting adeline book order isn't just about picking up Book 1 and Book 2. There is a whole ecosystem of novellas and spin-offs that make the world of Zade and Addie much bigger—and a lot darker.
Honestly, starting this series is like walking into a maze. If you go in blind, you might miss the backstory that makes a certain unhinged character's appearance in the main books actually make sense.
The Essential Haunting Adeline Book Order
If you just want the straight shot—the "I need to know what happens to Adeline Reilly right now" experience—you follow the publication order. Most people start here.
- Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet, Book 1)
- Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet, Book 2)
That's the core. You meet Adeline, a successful author who moves into her late grandmother’s gothic manor, only to realize she’s being stalked by Zade Meadows. Zade isn't your typical romance hero; he’s a vigilante hacker who spends his nights dismantling human trafficking rings and his "free time" obsessing over Adeline. It is intense. It is morally grey. It is frequently terrifying.
The second book, Hunting Adeline, picks up immediately where the first one ends. Warning: it is significantly darker. While the first book focuses on the "cat and mouse" stalking dynamic, the second dives deep into the trauma of captivity and the brutal reality of the Society. It’s a heavy read, but it’s the only way to get the full resolution of their story.
Why you might want to start with Satan’s Affair
Here is where the haunting adeline book order gets a little spicy. Before Haunting Adeline even hit the shelves, H.D. Carlton released a novella called Satan’s Affair.
Technically, it’s Book 0.5. It follows Sibby, a character you meet in the main duet. Sibby is... well, she’s a lot. She’s a serial killer who works at a traveling haunted house and believes she’s doing the Lord’s work. If you read the duet first, Sibby just seems like a quirky, chaotic side character. But if you read Satan’s Affair first, you understand her "henchmen" and her fractured psyche.
Reading it first prevents a major "wait, what?" moment later on. Plus, there are small Easter eggs in the main duet that only click if you've seen Sibby's origins.
Expanding the Universe: Prequels and Spin-offs
By 2026, the world H.D. Carlton built has grown beyond just two books. If you’re a completionist, the list looks more like this:
- Phantom (Book 0): This is a prequel that focuses on Gigi and Ronaldo. Gigi is Adeline’s great-grandmother, and her murder is the central mystery Adeline tries to solve in the first book. Reading this gives you the "historical" context of the manor’s haunting.
- Satan’s Affair (Book 0.5): Sibby’s bloody introduction.
- Haunting Adeline (Book 1): The start of the Zade/Addie saga.
- Hunting Adeline (Book 2): The conclusion.
- Where’s Molly (Spin-off): This takes place after the duet. Remember Molly? The girl who went missing? This is her story. It’s technically a standalone, but you’ll appreciate it way more if you’ve already finished the main duet because of the cameos and the shared timeline.
Chronological vs. Release Order
Does it actually matter? Sorta.
If you read chronologically (Phantom -> Satan’s Affair -> Haunting -> Hunting), you get the mystery of the manor spoiled a bit because you already know what happened to Gigi. For most readers, the release order is actually better.
Start with Haunting Adeline. If you find yourself obsessed with the creepy vibes, go back and read Satan’s Affair before starting Hunting Adeline. This keeps the momentum of the main romance while giving you the necessary context for the side characters.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Series
There's a huge misconception that this is just "spicy stalking." It’s actually a psychological thriller wrapped in a very dark romance.
One thing to keep in mind is the "Z" organization. Zade Meadows isn't just a guy in a mask; he runs a global operation to save victims of trafficking. This subplot is what drives the entire second book. If you go in expecting a fluffy "obsessed alpha" story, you’re going to be hit by a freight train of heavy themes.
Also, let's talk about the "Haunting" part. The house is actually haunted. Or is it? The book plays with the gothic atmosphere of Parsons Manor beautifully. Adeline finds her grandmother's diaries, and the parallels between their lives create a dual-timeline feel that makes the book feel much more "literary" than your average viral romance.
A Note on Content Warnings
Seriously, do not ignore them. H.D. Carlton is known for pushing boundaries. We are talking about non-consensual encounters, extreme violence, and deep depictions of trauma. In the world of "Dark Romance," this is toward the darker end of the spectrum. If you have triggers, check the author's website before diving in. It’s better to be safe than to be halfway through a chapter and realize you've made a mistake.
The Next Step for New Readers
If you're ready to jump in, don't overthink it. Grab a copy of Haunting Adeline first.
Don't worry about the prequels yet. See if you actually like Zade’s "Shadow" persona and Adeline’s defiant energy. If you finish chapter one and find yourself hooked, then—and only then—should you worry about tracking down Satan’s Affair.
Next Steps for the Obsessed:
Once you finish the Cat and Mouse Duet, look into Carlton's other works like Does It Hurt? or Shallow River. They aren't connected to Zade and Addie, but they carry that same "unsettling but I can't look away" energy that made the main series a bestseller.
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The best way to experience the haunting adeline book order is to let the mystery of the house lead the way. Start with the main books, keep the lights on, and maybe don't check behind your curtains for a while.
Check the author's official website for the most updated trigger warnings before starting the second book, as the shift in tone from the first to the second is significant and often catches readers off guard.