The Supernatural Investigations Series in Order

About the Supernatural Investigations series

Series Premise

The core premise tracks Amari Peters, a bright, determined girl from a struggling Atlanta neighborhood, who learns her missing older brother Quinton—whom she idolizes—was not an ordinary police officer but a legendary agent in the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs (BSA). Recruited into the Bureau's Junior Agent training program at the hidden supernatural headquarters beneath New York City, Amari must navigate elite trials, master unpredictable magical abilities (including her rare illusion-casting powers), and uncover dangerous conspiracies threatening both the supernatural and human worlds. As she teams up with allies to solve mysteries involving rogue creatures, ancient threats, and internal corruption, Amari confronts bias against "magically unnatural" individuals like herself while fighting to clear her brother's name and protect the fragile peace between realms.

The series is best read in order to follow Amari's personal growth, the progression of her magical training, evolving relationships, and the building overarching threats that span multiple books. While each installment includes a self-contained adventure with its own central mystery and satisfying resolution, the cumulative development of Amari's powers, family secrets, Bureau politics, and recurring antagonists creates significantly richer stakes and emotional payoff when experienced sequentially. Jumping in later might reduce confusion on basic world-building but misses the rewarding arc of Amari's journey from outsider to hero.

Main Characters

Main characters center on the charismatic Amari Peters: resourceful, quick-witted, and fiercely loyal, she grapples with self-doubt from years of being underestimated due to her background and "unnatural" magic, yet her empathy and ingenuity make her a standout agent-in-training. Her best friend and roommate Elsie, a tech-savvy, shape-shifting weredragon with a sunny disposition, provides steadfast support, comic relief, and complementary skills. Other key figures include Dylan Van Helsing, a privileged but kind-hearted boy from a legendary monster-hunting family whose friendship with Amari challenges old prejudices; stern but fair mentors like Agent Magnus or Director Van Helsing; and a mix of diverse Junior Agents who form a tight-knit squad. Antagonists range from prejudiced officials to powerful supernatural threats, adding tension and moral complexity.

Setting

Settings transport readers into a vibrant, dual-layered world: the mundane human side contrasts with the dazzling, hidden supernatural Bureau headquarters—a sprawling underground facility resembling a high-tech magical academy crossed with a secret agency, complete with illusion-veiled entrances, training arenas, creature containment wings, and bustling offices staffed by agents from every mythical background. Adventures spill into enchanted forests, mythical realms, urban supernatural hotspots in cities like New York, and even otherworldly competitions or hidden dimensions. These locales feel immersive and inventive, blending futuristic tech with ancient magic to create a sense of endless discovery and danger lurking just beyond ordinary sight.

Tone & Themes

The tone is exhilarating, hopeful, and empowering: fast-paced with thrilling action sequences, clever humor, and moments of genuine warmth, yet unafraid to tackle real-world issues like prejudice, grief, and belonging through a fantastical lens. Themes emphasize self-acceptance and embracing one's uniqueness (especially in the face of discrimination), the strength found in friendship and found family, the fight against systemic bias, courage in standing up for justice, and the idea that true power comes from kindness and determination rather than dominance. Alston infuses the narratives with joy, representation, and optimism, making heavy topics feel approachable while keeping the excitement high and the wonder alive.

In the end, the Supernatural Investigations series shines as a thrilling celebration of diversity, resilience, and the magic in believing in yourself when the world tries to dim your light. B.B. Alston crafts an unforgettable saga where a young Black girl claims her place in a fantastical world that once overlooked her, turning doubt into destiny and fear into fierce determination. For readers young and old who love action-packed fantasy with heart, humor, and heroes who look like them, these books offer pure enchantment: a reminder that the greatest investigations uncover not just secrets, but the extraordinary strength within us all.