BookBingeThe Rats Trilogy Books in Order
The short answer
James Herbert · 3 books
- How many books?
- There are 3 books in The Rats Trilogy, published 1974–1984.
- Is it finished?
- Yes — the series is complete; it ends with Domain (1984).
- Where to start
- Start with The Rats (1974).
About 840 pages — roughly 14 hours of reading
James Herbert's visceral British horror classic charts a growing plague of giant, flesh-eating rats overrunning London and, in the sequels, the wider country.
Here is the complete The Rats Trilogy reading order — all 3 books by James Herbert, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- The RatsA teacher investigates a wave of gruesome deaths in London and uncovers a rapidly spreading infestation of monstrous rats.1974187 pages
- LairYears later, a new outbreak of giant rats forces survivors to confront the horror they thought was over.1979244 pages
- DomainAs nuclear war devastates Britain, survivors underground face a fresh and even deadlier rat infestation.1984412 pages
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
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Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Rats Trilogy books are there?
There are 3 books in The Rats Trilogy by James Herbert, from The Rats (1974) to Domain (1984). Together they run to about 840 pages.
Is The Rats Trilogy finished?
Yes. James Herbert completed the series with Domain in 1984; all 3 books are out now.
What is the first Rats Trilogy book?
The Rats (1974) is book one, at 187 pages. A teacher investigates a wave of gruesome deaths in London and uncovers a rapidly spreading infestation of monstrous rats.
Should I read The Rats Trilogy in publication order?
Yes. For The Rats Trilogy, reading order and publication order are the same — The Rats (1974) through Domain (1984).
How long does it take to read all Rats Trilogy books?
About 840 pages across 3 books — roughly 14 hours at a page a minute. The longest is Domain (412 pages); the shortest is The Rats (187 pages).