Should you have wandered through the pages of Patricia Briggs’ extraordinary tales—where a coyote shifter named Mercy Thompson navigates a world of werewolves, vampires, and fae—you may find yourself, as all devoted readers do, quite desperately seeking more such adventures. Fear not, dear reader, for I have gathered here a collection of books that shall delight you in much the same manner.
These are stories where magic lurks just beneath the surface of our modern world, where extraordinary heroines face supernatural dangers with wit and courage, and where romance blooms amidst peril. Each recommendation shares that peculiar alchemy that makes Patricia Briggs’ work so beloved.
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels Series)
In a world where magic and technology wage an eternal war—one rising as the other falls—there lives a mercenary named Kate Daniels. She makes her living in Atlanta, cleaning up the supernatural messes that ordinary folk cannot fathom. When her guardian is murdered most mysteriously, Kate must navigate between the Masters of the Dead (who command vampires like puppets) and the Pack (a fierce clan of shapeshifters) to find the killer.
Kate possesses a sharp sword and sharper tongue, and readers who adored Mercy’s independence shall find much to love in this heroine. The husband-and-wife writing duo behind this New York Times bestselling series crafts worldbuilding that sparkles with originality.
Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (Otherworld Series)
Here is a remarkable tale: Elena Michaels is the only female werewolf in existence. She was turned against her will by her former lover Clay, and now she attempts to live as an ordinary human in Toronto. But when her pack alpha summons her home to help fight a deadly threat, Elena must confront the life—and the wolf—she tried to leave behind.
The Otherworld series spans thirteen magnificent books featuring werewolves, witches, necromancers, and vampires, all struggling to appear normal in our world. Elena’s fierce determination to define herself on her own terms will resonate with every Mercy Thompson devotee.
Skinwalker by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock Series)
Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind—a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can transform into any creature she desires. She shares her body with the soul of a mountain lion called Beast, and she hunts vampires for a living. When the vampires of New Orleans hire her to track a rogue who’s killing their own kind, Jane enters a dangerous world of bordello intrigue and ancient secrets.
The Native American heritage woven throughout this series creates a special kinship with certain Mercy Thompson tales. Publishers Weekly declared these books capture “the essence of urban fantasy” perfectly.
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (October Daye Series)
The world of Faerie never disappeared; it merely went into hiding. October “Toby” Daye is a changeling—half human, half fae—who works as a private investigator in San Francisco. When a fae countess is murdered and places a binding curse upon Toby with her dying breath, our heroine must solve the mystery or die trying.
This Hugo Award-nominated series has been praised as “one of the most successful blends of mystery and fantasy ever written.” Those who love the complicated politics and supernatural intrigue of the Mercy Thompson world shall find themselves quite at home here.
Written in Red by Anne Bishop (The Others Series)
In this world, humanity exists only by the sufferance of the Others—vampires, shapeshifters, and entities far more terrifying. Meg Corbyn is a blood prophet who escapes enslavement and finds refuge in Lakeside Courtyard, a business district controlled by these dangerous beings. Simon Wolfgard, the werewolf who runs the Courtyard, reluctantly hires her as human liaison.
What unfolds is a tale both tender and thrilling, as Meg finds family among those who should be her predators. Kirkus Reviews called it “stunningly original” and “beautifully articulated.”
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison (The Hollows Series)
Rachel Morgan is a witch working for Inderland Security in an alternate Cincinnati where a bioengineered virus exposed the supernatural world to humanity. When Rachel decides to quit her job, she becomes marked for death by her former employers. Armed with an assortment of curses and aided by a vampire roommate and a four-inch-tall pixy, Rachel must apprehend a drug lord to buy her freedom.
This New York Times bestselling series blends wry humour with thrilling action, and Rachel’s partnership with her unlikely friends echoes the found-family warmth of Mercy’s world.
Storm Front by Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files)
Harry Dresden is Chicago’s only professional wizard listed in the phone book. He works as a supernatural private investigator, consulting for the police on cases that defy ordinary explanation. When a series of gruesome magical murders threatens the city, Harry must navigate treacherous supernatural politics while keeping himself alive.
This beloved series—described as hard-boiled detective fiction meets urban fantasy—has captivated millions. Harry’s sardonic wit and stubborn courage make him a splendid companion for those who appreciate Mercy’s resourcefulness.
Hounded by Kevin Hearne (The Iron Druid Chronicles)
Atticus O’Sullivan appears to be a twenty-one-year-old Irish lad running an occult bookshop in Arizona. In truth, he is a two-thousand-year-old Druid, the last of his kind. When an angry Celtic god comes hunting for his magical sword, Atticus must draw upon ancient power—and the help of his Irish wolfhound companion—to survive.
The delightful blend of Celtic mythology with modern-day America creates adventures both witty and exhilarating. Fans who treasure Mercy’s interactions with various supernatural factions will find equal pleasure in Atticus’s dealings with gods and monsters.
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress Series)
Catherine “Cat” Crawfield is half-vampire, born of violence, and she channels her supernatural abilities into hunting the undead. When she’s captured by a vampire bounty hunter named Bones, an unlikely partnership forms. In exchange for helping find her father, Cat agrees to train with this charming rogue until her skills match his own.
The chemistry between Cat and Bones crackles magnificently, offering readers who love the slow-burn romance in Patricia Briggs’ work another couple to root for with equal fervour.
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling Series)
In a future where three races—the emotionless Psy, the passionate Changelings, and ordinary humans—struggle for power, Sascha Duncan hides a dangerous secret. As a Psy, she should feel nothing, yet emotions mark her as flawed in her society. When she encounters a changeling alpha named Lucas Hunter, everything she knows begins to unravel.
This New York Times bestselling series weaves paranormal romance with intricate worldbuilding. Those who appreciate the pack dynamics and mate bonds in Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series will find much to adore here.
Stray by Rachel Vincent (Shifters Series)
Faythe Sanders is a rare treasure—a female werecat in a world where they’re born only one for every five males. Determined to live on her own terms rather than fulfill her expected role as a breeding prize, Faythe pursues graduate school. But when female werecats begin disappearing, she must return to her Pride and face the destiny she’s been running from.
Faythe’s fierce struggle against societal expectations mirrors Mercy’s own determination to forge her own path. The six-book series offers action, romance, and political intrigue in equal measure.
Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks (World of the Lupi Series)
Lily Yu is a San Diego police detective with a touch of magic, investigating murders that appear to be the work of a werewolf. To solve the case, she must work with Rule Turner, a prince among the lupi—and face an attraction that threatens to overwhelm her careful logic. Their connection proves to be supernatural in origin, binding them together forever.
This fifteen-book series balances mystery with romance, and the dynamic between a pragmatic detective and a charismatic werewolf prince will feel wonderfully familiar to fans of Mercy and Adam.
Priceless by Shannon Mayer (Rylee Adamson Series)
Rylee Adamson possesses a gift: she can track the missing, particularly children that ordinary search efforts cannot find. This ability makes her invaluable—and dangerous to those who traffic in supernatural secrets. With her werewolf companion Alex and a cast of supernatural allies, Rylee hunts for the lost while battling forces that would see her dead.
With over 1.2 million copies sold, this completed series offers everything urban fantasy lovers crave: action, found family, and a heroine who takes no prisoners.
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Series)
Sookie Stackhouse is a telepathic waitress in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps. When vampires “come out of the coffin” and reveal themselves to humanity, Sookie meets Bill Compton—a vampire whose mind she blissfully cannot read. Their romance unfolds against a backdrop of supernatural mystery and Southern charm.
This Anthony Award-winning series inspired the beloved HBO adaptation True Blood and has sold over forty million copies. The blend of supernatural romance with cozy small-town atmosphere offers a slightly gentler entry point for readers exploring the genre.
Finding Your Next Favourite
Each of these books offers that magical combination that makes Patricia Briggs’ work so enchanting: a world where the supernatural hides in plain sight, a heroine who faces impossible odds with courage and wit, and relationships—romantic and otherwise—that warm the heart.
Whether you prefer the grittier mysteries of Kate Daniels and Harry Dresden, the sweeping pack politics of the Otherworld and Psy-Changeling series, or the tender found-family dynamics of Written in Red and The Hollows, you shall find adventures worthy of your time within these pages.
For just as Mercy Thompson proved that a coyote can hold her own among wolves, these heroines demonstrate that courage comes in many forms—and that the best stories are those where magic feels as real as the turning of a page.
