Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mostly Dead Things | 2019 | Kristen Arnett | Buy |
| 2 | With Teeth | 2021 | Kristen Arnett | Buy |
| 3 | Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One | 2025 | Kristen Arnett | Buy |
Kristen Arnett’s three standalone novels are each set in Florida and each deals with a family or relationship in crisis. Mostly Dead Things (2019) follows Jessa-Lynn Morton as she takes over her father’s taxidermy shop after his death, navigating grief, her mother’s chaotic behavior, and her lingering feelings for her brother’s ex-wife.
With Teeth (2021) shifts to the story of Sammie Lucas, a woman whose marriage to her wife is fraying as their son grows increasingly difficult and violent. Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One (2025) continues Arnett’s exploration of Florida life and messy human connection. All three novels share a willingness to sit with discomfort and find dark humor in painful situations, and all three use the particular weirdness of Florida as more than just a setting.