diff --git a/client/src/assets/theme/cover-effects.css b/client/src/assets/theme/cover-effects.css
index 9083f5375..b92f98e9e 100644
--- a/client/src/assets/theme/cover-effects.css
+++ b/client/src/assets/theme/cover-effects.css
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
   --book-cover-spine-width: 6%;
   position: relative;
   isolation: isolate;
-  background-color: white;
+  background-color: color-mix(in oklch, var(--foreground) 12%, var(--background));
   background-size: cover;
   box-shadow: var(--book-cover-shadow);
 }
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/BookCoverArtwork.vue b/client/src/features/book/components/BookCoverArtwork.vue
index 7464039cf..2603ddc13 100644
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/BookCoverArtwork.vue
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/BookCoverArtwork.vue
@@ -115,6 +115,16 @@ function handleImageError() {
 
 <template>
   <template v-if="canRenderImage">
+    <span
+      :class="[
+        'absolute inset-0 z-0 transition-opacity duration-200 ease-out',
+        loaded ? 'opacity-0 pointer-events-none' : 'opacity-100',
+        effectiveMode === 'natural-bottom' ? 'book-cover-artwork-placeholder-natural overflow-hidden rounded-[inherit]' : '',
+      ]"
+      aria-hidden="true"
+    >
+      <BookCoverPlaceholder :title="title" :author-line="authorLine" :is-audio="isAudio" :seed="seed" />
+    </span>
     <img
       v-if="showBlurredBackdrop"
       :src="src ?? ''"
@@ -143,7 +153,7 @@ function handleImageError() {
       />
       <span v-if="showSpineLayer" class="book-cover-spine-layer absolute inset-0 z-[3]" :style="spineStyle" />
     </span>
-    <span v-if="!loaded" class="absolute inset-0 z-[2] animate-pulse bg-white/10" />
+    <span v-if="!loaded" class="absolute inset-0 z-[2] animate-pulse bg-foreground/5" />
   </template>
   <span
     v-else
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/CollapsedSeriesCard.vue b/client/src/features/book/components/CollapsedSeriesCard.vue
index 2824441dc..996c5ba9c 100644
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/CollapsedSeriesCard.vue
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/CollapsedSeriesCard.vue
@@ -56,19 +56,42 @@ const resolvedCoverId = computed<number | null>(() => {
 })
 
 const failedCovers = ref(new Set<number>())
+const loadedCovers = ref(new Set<number>())
 const singleCoverFailed = ref(false)
+const singleCoverLoaded = ref(false)
 
 watch(resolvedCoverId, () => {
   singleCoverFailed.value = false
+  singleCoverLoaded.value = false
 })
+watch(
+  coverIds,
+  (ids) => {
+    const activeIds = new Set(ids)
+    failedCovers.value = new Set([...failedCovers.value].filter((id) => activeIds.has(id)))
+    loadedCovers.value = new Set([...loadedCovers.value].filter((id) => activeIds.has(id)))
+  },
+  { immediate: true },
+)
 const primaryFile = computed(() => props.book.files.find((file) => file.role === 'primary') ?? props.book.files[0] ?? null)
 const isAudiobook = computed(() => primaryFile.value?.format != null && FORMAT_TO_GROUP[primaryFile.value.format] === 'audio')
 
+function handleCoverLoad(bookId: number) {
+  loadedCovers.value = new Set([...loadedCovers.value, bookId])
+}
+
 function handleCoverError(bookId: number) {
+  loadedCovers.value = new Set([...loadedCovers.value].filter((id) => id !== bookId))
   failedCovers.value = new Set([...failedCovers.value, bookId])
 }
 
+function handleSingleCoverLoad() {
+  singleCoverLoaded.value = true
+  singleCoverFailed.value = false
+}
+
 function handleSingleCoverError() {
+  singleCoverLoaded.value = false
   singleCoverFailed.value = true
 }
 
@@ -145,30 +168,48 @@ const secondaryLabelText = computed(() => resolveSeriesLabel(gridCardSecondaryLa
       >
         <!-- Single cover mode -->
         <div v-if="!isMosaic && resolvedCoverId != null" class="absolute inset-0" data-testid="series-single-cover">
+          <div
+            class="absolute inset-0 transition-opacity duration-200 ease-out"
+            :class="singleCoverLoaded && !singleCoverFailed ? 'opacity-0 pointer-events-none' : 'opacity-100'"
+            aria-hidden="true"
+          >
+            <BookCoverPlaceholder title="" author-line="" :is-audio="false" :seed="`series-${resolvedCoverId}`" />
+          </div>
           <img
             v-if="!singleCoverFailed"
             :src="coverUrl(resolvedCoverId)"
-            class="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full object-cover"
+            class="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full object-cover transition-opacity duration-300 ease-out"
+            :class="singleCoverLoaded ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0'"
             loading="lazy"
             alt=""
+            @load="handleSingleCoverLoad"
             @error="handleSingleCoverError"
           />
-          <BookCoverPlaceholder v-else title="" author-line="" :is-audio="false" :seed="`series-${resolvedCoverId}`" />
+          <span v-if="!singleCoverLoaded && !singleCoverFailed" class="absolute inset-0 z-[1] animate-pulse bg-foreground/5" />
         </div>
 
         <!-- Adaptive cover mosaic (default mode) -->
         <div v-else class="absolute inset-0 grid grid-cols-2 grid-rows-2">
           <template v-for="(bookId, i) in coverIds" :key="bookId">
             <div class="relative overflow-hidden" :class="tileClass(i)" data-testid="series-cover-tile">
+              <div
+                class="absolute inset-0 transition-opacity duration-200 ease-out"
+                :class="loadedCovers.has(bookId) && !failedCovers.has(bookId) ? 'opacity-0 pointer-events-none' : 'opacity-100'"
+                aria-hidden="true"
+              >
+                <BookCoverPlaceholder title="" author-line="" :is-audio="false" :seed="`series-${bookId}`" />
+              </div>
               <img
                 v-if="!failedCovers.has(bookId)"
                 :src="coverUrl(bookId)"
-                class="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full object-cover"
+                class="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full object-cover transition-opacity duration-300 ease-out"
+                :class="loadedCovers.has(bookId) ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0'"
                 loading="lazy"
                 alt=""
+                @load="() => handleCoverLoad(bookId)"
                 @error="() => handleCoverError(bookId)"
               />
-              <BookCoverPlaceholder v-else title="" author-line="" :is-audio="false" :seed="`series-${bookId}`" />
+              <span v-if="!loadedCovers.has(bookId) && !failedCovers.has(bookId)" class="absolute inset-0 z-[1] animate-pulse bg-foreground/5" />
             </div>
           </template>
           <div v-if="coverIds.length === 0" class="relative overflow-hidden" :class="tileClass(0)" data-testid="series-cover-fallback">
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/VirtualBookTable.vue b/client/src/features/book/components/VirtualBookTable.vue
index 7629b37c5..b41a01239 100644
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/VirtualBookTable.vue
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/VirtualBookTable.vue
@@ -31,11 +31,12 @@ import { useRefreshMetadata } from '@/features/book/composables/useRefreshMetada
 import { useRefreshingBooks } from '@/features/book/composables/useRefreshingBooks'
 import { useBookRefreshFeedback } from '@/features/book/composables/useBookRefreshFeedback'
 import type { InFlightOp } from '@/features/book/composables/useBookBulkActions'
+import { useRouter } from 'vue-router'
 import { detectChangedColumns, mergeBookCardWithDetail } from '@/features/book/lib/book-card-mapper'
 import { buildLockStateBookUpdate, mergeBookPatchWithLatest, sameLockFields } from '@/features/book/lib/table-row-state-sync'
 import BookCoverDialog from './table/BookCoverDialog.vue'
 import BookTableCellDispatcher from './table/BookTableCellDispatcher.vue'
-import BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow from './table/BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow.vue'
+import BookTableCollapsedSeriesCell from './table/BookTableCollapsedSeriesCell.vue'
 import BookTableContextMenu from './table/BookTableContextMenu.vue'
 import BookTableHeader from './table/BookTableHeader.vue'
 import BookTableHeaderContextMenu from './table/BookTableHeaderContextMenu.vue'
@@ -79,6 +80,7 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
 const { md } = useBreakpoints(breakpointsTailwind)
 const isReadOnly = computed(() => !md.value)
 const { tableDensity, tableZebraStriping } = useDisplaySettings()
+const router = useRouter()
 
 const { layout, visibleColumns, allColumns, toggleColumn, setColumnOrder, setColumnWidth, setLayout, pinColumn, unpinColumn, resetLayout } =
   useTableColumns(props.viewType)
@@ -508,6 +510,10 @@ function handleNavigate(book: BookCard, colId: ColumnId, direction: 'next' | 'pr
 function handleRowClick(book: BookCard, e: MouseEvent) {
   if (props.selectionMode) {
     emit('select', book.id, e)
+    return
+  }
+  if (book.collapsedSeries) {
+    router.push({ name: 'series-detail', params: { seriesName: book.seriesName ?? '' } })
   }
 }
 
@@ -705,92 +711,74 @@ defineExpose({
             @click="handleRowClick(books[vItem.index]!, $event)"
             @contextmenu.prevent="(event) => handleRowContextMenu(event, books[vItem.index]!)"
           >
-            <!-- Collapsed series row: span all columns with dedicated component -->
-            <template v-if="books[vItem.index]!.collapsedSeries">
-              <td
-                v-if="selectionMode"
-                role="gridcell"
-                class="overflow-hidden px-2 bg-background"
-                :class="rowPaddingClass"
-                :style="{ width: '36px', minWidth: '36px', position: 'sticky', left: '0px', zIndex: 20 }"
-              >
-                <div class="flex items-center justify-center">
-                  <input
-                    type="checkbox"
-                    class="accent-primary h-3.5 w-3.5 cursor-pointer"
-                    :checked="isSelected?.(books[vItem.index]!.id) ?? false"
-                    @click.stop="handleCheckboxClick(books[vItem.index]!.id, $event)"
-                  />
-                </div>
-              </td>
-              <BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow :book="books[vItem.index]!" :colspan="displayColumns.length" :selection-mode="selectionMode" />
-            </template>
+            <!-- Checkbox cell -->
+            <td
+              v-if="selectionMode"
+              role="gridcell"
+              class="overflow-hidden px-2 bg-background"
+              :class="rowPaddingClass"
+              :style="{ width: '36px', minWidth: '36px', position: 'sticky', left: '0px', zIndex: 20 }"
+            >
+              <div class="flex items-center justify-center">
+                <input
+                  type="checkbox"
+                  class="accent-primary h-3.5 w-3.5 cursor-pointer"
+                  :checked="isSelected?.(books[vItem.index]!.id) ?? false"
+                  @click.stop="handleCheckboxClick(books[vItem.index]!.id, $event)"
+                />
+              </div>
+            </td>
 
-            <template v-else>
-              <!-- Checkbox cell -->
-              <td
-                v-if="selectionMode"
-                role="gridcell"
-                class="overflow-hidden px-2 bg-background"
-                :class="rowPaddingClass"
-                :style="{ width: '36px', minWidth: '36px', position: 'sticky', left: '0px', zIndex: 20 }"
-              >
-                <div class="flex items-center justify-center">
-                  <input
-                    type="checkbox"
-                    class="accent-primary h-3.5 w-3.5 cursor-pointer"
-                    :checked="isSelected?.(books[vItem.index]!.id) ?? false"
-                    @click.stop="handleCheckboxClick(books[vItem.index]!.id, $event)"
-                  />
-                </div>
-              </td>
-
-              <td
-                v-for="(col, colIdx) in displayColumns"
-                :key="col.id"
-                :data-col-id="col.id"
-                :data-row-index="vItem.index"
-                role="gridcell"
-                class="relative overflow-hidden px-2 align-middle"
-                :class="[
-                  rowPaddingClass,
-                  col.pinned === 'right' ? 'border-l border-border/60' : '',
-                  col.pinned === null ? (isMandatoryFieldEmpty(books[vItem.index]!, col.id) ? 'bg-amber-500/5' : '') : '',
-                  isCellChanged(books[vItem.index]!.id, col.id) ? 'book-cell--changed' : '',
-                  isFocusedCell(vItem.index, colIdx) && !editor.isActive(books[vItem.index]!.id, col.id)
-                    ? 'outline outline-2 outline-primary/50 -outline-offset-2 rounded-sm'
-                    : '',
-                ]"
-                :style="{
-                  width: `${col.defaultWidth}px`,
-                  minWidth: `${col.minWidth}px`,
-                  ...(col.pinned === 'left' || col.id === 'lockRow'
-                    ? {
-                        position: 'sticky',
-                        left: `${(selectionMode ? 36 : 0) + (pinnedLeftOffsets.get(col.id) ?? 0)}px`,
-                        zIndex: col.id === 'lockRow' ? 20 : 2,
-                        background: getPinnedCellBackground(
-                          books[vItem.index]!,
-                          col.id,
-                          selectionMode && (isSelected?.(books[vItem.index]!.id) ?? false),
-                        ),
-                      }
-                    : {}),
-                  ...(col.pinned === 'right'
-                    ? {
-                        position: 'sticky',
-                        right: '0',
-                        zIndex: 2,
-                        background: getPinnedCellBackground(
-                          books[vItem.index]!,
-                          col.id,
-                          selectionMode && (isSelected?.(books[vItem.index]!.id) ?? false),
-                        ),
-                      }
-                    : {}),
-                }"
-                @click="focusTableCell(vItem.index, colIdx, $event, books[vItem.index]!.id, col.id)"
-              >
+            <td
+              v-for="(col, colIdx) in displayColumns"
+              :key="col.id"
+              :data-col-id="col.id"
+              :data-row-index="vItem.index"
+              role="gridcell"
+              class="relative overflow-hidden px-2 align-middle"
+              :class="[
+                rowPaddingClass,
+                col.pinned === 'right' ? 'border-l border-border/60' : '',
+                col.pinned === null ? (isMandatoryFieldEmpty(books[vItem.index]!, col.id) ? 'bg-amber-500/5' : '') : '',
+                isCellChanged(books[vItem.index]!.id, col.id) ? 'book-cell--changed' : '',
+                isFocusedCell(vItem.index, colIdx) && !editor.isActive(books[vItem.index]!.id, col.id)
+                  ? 'outline outline-2 outline-primary/50 -outline-offset-2 rounded-sm'
+                  : '',
+              ]"
+              :style="{
+                width: `${col.defaultWidth}px`,
+                minWidth: `${col.minWidth}px`,
+                ...(col.pinned === 'left' || col.id === 'lockRow'
+                  ? {
+                      position: 'sticky',
+                      left: `${(selectionMode ? 36 : 0) + (pinnedLeftOffsets.get(col.id) ?? 0)}px`,
+                      zIndex: col.id === 'lockRow' ? 20 : 2,
+                      background: getPinnedCellBackground(
+                        books[vItem.index]!,
+                        col.id,
+                        selectionMode && (isSelected?.(books[vItem.index]!.id) ?? false),
+                      ),
+                    }
+                  : {}),
+                ...(col.pinned === 'right'
+                  ? {
+                      position: 'sticky',
+                      right: '0',
+                      zIndex: 2,
+                      background: getPinnedCellBackground(
+                        books[vItem.index]!,
+                        col.id,
+                        selectionMode && (isSelected?.(books[vItem.index]!.id) ?? false),
+                      ),
+                    }
+                  : {}),
+              }"
+              @click="focusTableCell(vItem.index, colIdx, $event, books[vItem.index]!.id, col.id)"
+            >
+              <template v-if="books[vItem.index]!.collapsedSeries">
+                <BookTableCollapsedSeriesCell :book="books[vItem.index]!" :col-id="col.id" />
+              </template>
+              <template v-else>
                 <BookTableCellDispatcher
                   :book="books[vItem.index]!"
                   :col-id="col.id"
@@ -855,8 +843,8 @@ defineExpose({
                     </button>
                   </span>
                 </div>
-              </td>
-            </template>
+              </template>
+            </td>
           </tr>
 
           <tr v-if="virtualItems.length > 0" role="row">
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/BookCoverArtwork.spec.ts b/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/BookCoverArtwork.spec.ts
index b7a8cdb70..d2b2c757e 100644
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/BookCoverArtwork.spec.ts
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/BookCoverArtwork.spec.ts
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ describe('BookCoverArtwork', () => {
 
     await wrapper.setProps({ resetKey: 'retry-1' })
     expect(wrapper.find('img[alt="Dune cover"]').exists()).toBe(true)
-    expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="placeholder"]').exists()).toBe(false)
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="placeholder"]').exists()).toBe(true)
   })
 
   it('does not render the fitted spine layer when spine is disabled', async () => {
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/BookCoverCard.spec.ts b/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/BookCoverCard.spec.ts
index f87a78107..81e60a41a 100644
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/BookCoverCard.spec.ts
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/BookCoverCard.spec.ts
@@ -291,11 +291,6 @@ describe('BookCoverCard — placeholder state', () => {
     expect(imgs).toHaveLength(0)
   })
 
-  it('does not show BookCoverPlaceholder when hasCover is true', () => {
-    const wrapper = mountCard(presentBookWithCover)
-    expect(wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'BookCoverPlaceholder' }).exists()).toBe(false)
-  })
-
   it('renders cover img when hasCover is true', () => {
     const wrapper = mountCard(presentBookWithCover)
     const imgs = wrapper.findAll('img')
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/CollapsedSeriesCard.spec.ts b/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/CollapsedSeriesCard.spec.ts
index 7ecddee39..080f4ae87 100644
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/CollapsedSeriesCard.spec.ts
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/__tests__/CollapsedSeriesCard.spec.ts
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ describe('CollapsedSeriesCard', () => {
 
     expect(wrapper.findAll('[data-testid="series-cover-tile"]')).toHaveLength(1)
     expect(wrapper.findAll('[data-testid="series-cover-fallback"]')).toHaveLength(0)
-    expect(wrapper.findAll('.book-cover-placeholder')).toHaveLength(0)
+    expect(wrapper.findAll('.book-cover-placeholder')).toHaveLength(1)
   })
 
   it('shows a single fallback tile when coverBookIds is empty', () => {
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ describe('CollapsedSeriesCard', () => {
     await firstImg.trigger('error')
     await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
 
-    expect(wrapper.findAll('.book-cover-placeholder')).toHaveLength(1)
+    expect(wrapper.findAll('.book-cover-placeholder')).toHaveLength(2)
   })
 
   it('uses at most 4 cover tiles even if more are provided', () => {
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/detail/BookCarousel.test.ts b/client/src/features/book/components/detail/BookCarousel.test.ts
index 965f6560a..66bb69a45 100644
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/detail/BookCarousel.test.ts
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/detail/BookCarousel.test.ts
@@ -135,12 +135,6 @@ describe('BookCarousel', () => {
     const book = makeBook({ hasCover: true })
     const wrapper = mountCarousel([book])
     expect(wrapper.find('img').exists()).toBe(true)
-    expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="placeholder"]').exists()).toBe(false)
-  })
-
-  it('does not render placeholder for audiobook recommendations that have a cover', () => {
-    const wrapper = mountCarousel([makeBook({ hasCover: true, isAudiobook: true })])
-    expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="placeholder"]').exists()).toBe(false)
   })
 
   it('renders BookCoverPlaceholder when book.hasCover is false', () => {
@@ -197,7 +191,6 @@ describe('BookCarousel', () => {
 
     await wrapper.setProps({ books: [makeBook({ id: 42, hasCover: true, title: 'Retried' })] })
     expect(wrapper.find('[data-book-id="42"] img').exists()).toBe(true)
-    expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="placeholder"]').exists()).toBe(false)
   })
 
   it('renders centered cover with blurred backdrop after non-audiobook cover image loads', async () => {
@@ -212,7 +205,6 @@ describe('BookCarousel', () => {
     expect(backdrop?.classes()).toContain('blur-md')
     expect(backdrop?.classes()).toContain('object-cover')
     expect(cover?.classes()).toContain('object-contain')
-    expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="placeholder"]').exists()).toBe(false)
   })
 
   it('renders audiobook covers as square without blurred backdrop', async () => {
@@ -282,7 +274,7 @@ describe('BookCarousel', () => {
     const wrapper = mountCarousel(books)
     expect(wrapper.findAll('[data-book-id]').length).toBe(3)
     expect(wrapper.findAll('img').length).toBe(2)
-    expect(wrapper.findAll('[data-testid="placeholder"]').length).toBe(1)
+    expect(wrapper.findAll('[data-testid="placeholder"]').length).toBe(3)
   })
 
   it('uses book id as seed when title is null', () => {
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/table/BookTableCollapsedSeriesCell.vue b/client/src/features/book/components/table/BookTableCollapsedSeriesCell.vue
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b7ab2d46f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/table/BookTableCollapsedSeriesCell.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { computed } from 'vue'
+import { ChevronRight, LibraryBig } from 'lucide-vue-next'
+import { FORMAT_TO_GROUP, type BookCard } from '@bookorbit/types'
+import BookCoverSurface from '../BookCoverSurface.vue'
+import type { ColumnId } from '@/features/book/composables/useTableColumns'
+
+const props = defineProps<{
+  book: BookCard
+  colId: ColumnId
+}>()
+
+const collapsed = computed(() => props.book.collapsedSeries!)
+const seriesName = computed(() => props.book.seriesName ?? '')
+const readCount = computed(() => collapsed.value.readCount)
+const bookCount = computed(() => collapsed.value.bookCount)
+const coverIds = computed(() => collapsed.value.coverBookIds.filter((id) => id > 0).slice(0, 4))
+const primaryFile = computed(() => props.book.files.find((file) => file.role === 'primary') ?? props.book.files[0] ?? null)
+const isAudiobook = computed(() => primaryFile.value?.format != null && FORMAT_TO_GROUP[primaryFile.value.format] === 'audio')
+
+function thumbnailUrl(bookId: number): string {
+  return `/api/v1/books/${bookId}/thumbnail`
+}
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <div v-if="colId === 'lockRow'" class="flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center">
+    <LibraryBig :size="13" class="text-muted-foreground/60" />
+  </div>
+
+  <div v-else-if="colId === 'readStatus'" class="flex w-full items-center px-1 py-0.5">
+    <div class="flex w-3 items-center justify-center">
+      <span class="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/40">-</span>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <div v-else-if="colId === 'read'" class="flex w-full items-center justify-start">
+    <div class="mr-auto flex h-7 w-7 items-center justify-center">
+      <span class="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/40">-</span>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <div v-else-if="colId === 'cover'" class="flex h-9 items-center">
+    <!-- Cover row: up to 4 thumbnails -->
+    <div class="flex shrink-0 gap-0.5 min-w-9" :class="coverIds.length <= 1 ? 'justify-center' : 'justify-start'">
+      <BookCoverSurface
+        v-for="coverId in coverIds"
+        :key="coverId"
+        size="mini"
+        :disable-spine="isAudiobook"
+        class="h-8 w-6 rounded-sm overflow-hidden"
+      >
+        <img :src="thumbnailUrl(coverId)" class="h-full w-full object-cover" loading="lazy" alt="" />
+      </BookCoverSurface>
+      <BookCoverSurface
+        v-if="coverIds.length === 0"
+        size="mini"
+        :disable-spine="isAudiobook"
+        class="h-8 w-6 rounded-sm bg-muted flex items-center justify-center"
+      >
+        <span class="text-[8px] text-muted-foreground">?</span>
+      </BookCoverSurface>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <div v-else-if="colId === 'title'" class="flex items-center gap-2 min-w-0 h-full px-1">
+    <span class="font-medium text-sm truncate block">{{ seriesName }}</span>
+    <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground shrink-0 mt-0.5">({{ bookCount }} {{ bookCount === 1 ? 'book' : 'books' }})</span>
+    <span v-if="readCount > 0" class="text-xs text-muted-foreground shrink-0 mt-0.5">&middot; {{ readCount }} of {{ bookCount }} read</span>
+  </div>
+
+  <div v-else-if="colId === 'actions'" class="flex h-full w-6 items-center justify-center">
+    <ChevronRight :size="16" class="text-muted-foreground/60 group-hover:text-foreground transition-colors" />
+  </div>
+
+  <!-- Dash for all other columns -->
+  <div v-else class="flex h-full items-center">
+    <span class="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/20">-</span>
+  </div>
+</template>
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/table/BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow.vue b/client/src/features/book/components/table/BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow.vue
deleted file mode 100644
index 0db00e9f5..000000000
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/table/BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow.vue
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,71 +0,0 @@
-<script setup lang="ts">
-import { computed } from 'vue'
-import { useRouter } from 'vue-router'
-import { ChevronRight } from 'lucide-vue-next'
-import { FORMAT_TO_GROUP, type BookCard } from '@bookorbit/types'
-import BookCoverSurface from '../BookCoverSurface.vue'
-
-const props = defineProps<{
-  book: BookCard
-  colspan: number
-  selectionMode?: boolean
-}>()
-
-const router = useRouter()
-
-const collapsed = computed(() => props.book.collapsedSeries!)
-const seriesName = computed(() => props.book.seriesName ?? '')
-const readCount = computed(() => collapsed.value.readCount)
-const bookCount = computed(() => collapsed.value.bookCount)
-const coverIds = computed(() => collapsed.value.coverBookIds.filter((id) => id > 0).slice(0, 4))
-const primaryFile = computed(() => props.book.files.find((file) => file.role === 'primary') ?? props.book.files[0] ?? null)
-const isAudiobook = computed(() => primaryFile.value?.format != null && FORMAT_TO_GROUP[primaryFile.value.format] === 'audio')
-
-function handleClick() {
-  if (props.selectionMode) return
-  router.push({ name: 'series-detail', params: { seriesName: seriesName.value } })
-}
-
-function thumbnailUrl(bookId: number): string {
-  return `/api/v1/books/${bookId}/thumbnail`
-}
-</script>
-
-<template>
-  <td :colspan="colspan" role="gridcell" class="cursor-pointer px-3 py-1.5" @click="handleClick">
-    <div class="flex items-center gap-3 min-w-0">
-      <!-- Cover row: up to 4 thumbnails -->
-      <div class="flex shrink-0 gap-0.5">
-        <BookCoverSurface
-          v-for="coverId in coverIds"
-          :key="coverId"
-          size="mini"
-          :disable-spine="isAudiobook"
-          class="h-8 w-6 rounded-sm overflow-hidden"
-        >
-          <img :src="thumbnailUrl(coverId)" class="h-full w-full object-cover" loading="lazy" alt="" />
-        </BookCoverSurface>
-        <BookCoverSurface
-          v-if="coverIds.length === 0"
-          size="mini"
-          :disable-spine="isAudiobook"
-          class="h-8 w-6 rounded-sm bg-muted flex items-center justify-center"
-        >
-          <span class="text-[8px] text-muted-foreground">?</span>
-        </BookCoverSurface>
-      </div>
-
-      <!-- Series info -->
-      <div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
-        <span class="font-medium text-sm truncate block">{{ seriesName }}</span>
-        <div class="flex items-center gap-2 mt-0.5">
-          <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground"> {{ bookCount }} {{ bookCount === 1 ? 'book' : 'books' }} </span>
-          <span v-if="readCount > 0" class="text-xs text-muted-foreground"> &middot; {{ readCount }} of {{ bookCount }} read </span>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-
-      <!-- Chevron -->
-      <ChevronRight :size="14" class="shrink-0 text-muted-foreground group-hover:text-foreground transition-colors" />
-    </div>
-  </td>
-</template>
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/table/__tests__/BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow.spec.ts b/client/src/features/book/components/table/__tests__/BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow.spec.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index b01480ca5..000000000
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/table/__tests__/BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow.spec.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,178 +0,0 @@
-import { mount } from '@vue/test-utils'
-import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
-import type { BookCard } from '@bookorbit/types'
-import BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow from '../BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow.vue'
-import { useDisplaySettings } from '@/composables/useDisplaySettings'
-
-const mockRouterPush = vi.fn<(...args: unknown[]) => unknown>()
-
-vi.mock('vue-router', () => ({
-  useRouter: () => ({ push: mockRouterPush }),
-}))
-
-function makeBook(overrides: Partial<BookCard> = {}): BookCard {
-  return {
-    id: 1,
-    status: 'present',
-    title: 'Book One',
-    authors: ['Author A'],
-    seriesName: 'The Arc',
-    seriesIndex: 1,
-    files: [],
-    publishedYear: null,
-    language: null,
-    genres: [],
-    tags: [],
-    rating: null,
-    readingProgress: null,
-    readStatus: null,
-    addedAt: '2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z',
-    updatedAt: null,
-    metadataScore: null,
-    hasCover: false,
-    hasMetadataLocks: false,
-    lockedFields: [],
-    subtitle: null,
-    publisher: null,
-    pageCount: null,
-    isbn13: null,
-    narrators: [],
-    collapsedSeries: {
-      bookCount: 5,
-      readCount: 2,
-      coverBookIds: [10, 20, 30, 40],
-      seriesLatestAddedAt: null,
-    },
-    ...overrides,
-  }
-}
-
-const { bookSpineOverlay } = useDisplaySettings()
-
-describe('BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow', () => {
-  beforeEach(() => {
-    vi.clearAllMocks()
-  })
-
-  afterEach(() => {
-    bookSpineOverlay.value = 'off'
-  })
-
-  it('renders the series name and book count', () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: { book: makeBook(), colspan: 6 },
-    })
-
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('The Arc')
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('5 books')
-  })
-
-  it('renders the read count when some books are read', () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: { book: makeBook(), colspan: 6 },
-    })
-
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('2 of 5 read')
-  })
-
-  it('does not render the read count when no books are read', () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: {
-        book: makeBook({
-          collapsedSeries: { bookCount: 5, readCount: 0, coverBookIds: [10, 20], seriesLatestAddedAt: null },
-        }),
-        colspan: 6,
-      },
-    })
-
-    expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain('0 of 5 read')
-  })
-
-  it('renders up to four cover thumbnails', () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: { book: makeBook(), colspan: 6 },
-    })
-
-    const images = wrapper.findAll('img')
-    expect(images).toHaveLength(4)
-    expect(images.map((image) => image.attributes('src'))).toEqual([
-      '/api/v1/books/10/thumbnail',
-      '/api/v1/books/20/thumbnail',
-      '/api/v1/books/30/thumbnail',
-      '/api/v1/books/40/thumbnail',
-    ])
-  })
-
-  it('renders a placeholder when no cover ids are available', () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: {
-        book: makeBook({
-          collapsedSeries: { bookCount: 5, readCount: 0, coverBookIds: [], seriesLatestAddedAt: null },
-        }),
-        colspan: 6,
-      },
-    })
-
-    expect(wrapper.findAll('img')).toHaveLength(0)
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('?')
-  })
-
-  it('navigates to the series detail route on click', async () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: { book: makeBook(), colspan: 6 },
-    })
-
-    await wrapper.get('td').trigger('click')
-
-    expect(mockRouterPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
-      name: 'series-detail',
-      params: { seriesName: 'The Arc' },
-    })
-  })
-
-  it('renders no more than four thumbnails even when more cover ids are provided', () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: {
-        book: makeBook({
-          collapsedSeries: { bookCount: 6, readCount: 1, coverBookIds: [10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60], seriesLatestAddedAt: null },
-        }),
-        colspan: 6,
-      },
-    })
-
-    expect(wrapper.findAll('img')).toHaveLength(4)
-  })
-
-  it('sets the expected colspan on the table cell', () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: { book: makeBook(), colspan: 9 },
-    })
-
-    expect(wrapper.get('td').attributes('colspan')).toBe('9')
-  })
-
-  it('does not navigate when selectionMode is true', async () => {
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: { book: makeBook(), colspan: 6, selectionMode: true },
-    })
-
-    await wrapper.get('td').trigger('click')
-
-    expect(mockRouterPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-  })
-
-  it('forces spine overlay off for audiobook collapsed rows', () => {
-    bookSpineOverlay.value = 'strong'
-    const wrapper = mount(BookTableCollapsedSeriesRow, {
-      props: {
-        book: makeBook({
-          files: [{ id: 9, format: 'm4b', role: 'primary', sizeBytes: null }],
-        }),
-        colspan: 6,
-      },
-    })
-
-    const cover = wrapper.find('.book-cover-surface')
-    expect(cover.attributes('data-cover-spine')).toBe('off')
-  })
-})
diff --git a/client/src/features/dashboard/components/DashboardScroller.vue b/client/src/features/dashboard/components/DashboardScroller.vue
index f12a8275c..5e2a94628 100644
--- a/client/src/features/dashboard/components/DashboardScroller.vue
+++ b/client/src/features/dashboard/components/DashboardScroller.vue
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 import { computed, ref, useAttrs } from 'vue'
 import { Aperture, BookMarked, ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, ListOrdered, RefreshCw, Shuffle, Sparkles } from 'lucide-vue-next'
 
-import type { BookCard, ScrollerType } from '@bookorbit/types'
+import { isAudioFormat, type BookCard, type CoverAspectRatio, type ScrollerType } from '@bookorbit/types'
 import BookCoverCard from '@/features/book/components/BookCoverCard.vue'
 import BookQuickView from '@/features/book/components/BookQuickView.vue'
 import AddToCollectionSheet from '@/features/collection/components/AddToCollectionSheet.vue'
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ const typeIcon = computed(() => {
 })
 
 const SKELETONS = Array.from({ length: 8 })
+const DEFAULT_COVER_WIDTH_CLASS = 'w-[120px]'
+const SQUARE_AUDIOBOOK_COVER_WIDTH_CLASS = 'w-[150px]'
 
 type BookActionType = 'quick-view' | 'edit-metadata' | 'add-to-collection' | 'delete'
 
@@ -74,6 +76,18 @@ function handleBookAction(book: BookCard, action: BookActionType) {
     promptDelete(book.id)
   }
 }
+
+function isAudiobookCard(book: BookCard): boolean {
+  return book.files.some((file) => (file.format ? isAudioFormat(file.format) : false))
+}
+
+function coverWidthClass(book: BookCard): string {
+  return isAudiobookCard(book) ? SQUARE_AUDIOBOOK_COVER_WIDTH_CLASS : DEFAULT_COVER_WIDTH_CLASS
+}
+
+function coverAspectRatio(book: BookCard): CoverAspectRatio {
+  return isAudiobookCard(book) ? '1/1' : '2/3'
+}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -139,15 +153,16 @@ function handleBookAction(book: BookCard, action: BookActionType) {
     </div>
 
     <!-- Books row -->
-    <div v-else ref="scrollEl" class="flex gap-5 overflow-x-auto px-5 pb-5 pt-1 [scrollbar-width:none] [&::-webkit-scrollbar]:hidden">
+    <div v-else ref="scrollEl" class="flex items-end gap-5 overflow-x-auto px-5 pb-5 pt-1 [scrollbar-width:none] [&::-webkit-scrollbar]:hidden">
       <div
         v-for="(book, index) in books"
         :key="book.id"
-        class="w-[120px] shrink-0"
+        class="shrink-0"
+        :class="coverWidthClass(book)"
         style="animation: dashboardFadeUp 0.35s ease both"
         :style="{ animationDelay: `${index * 35}ms` }"
       >
-        <BookCoverCard :book="book" @action="handleBookAction(book, $event)" />
+        <BookCoverCard :book="book" :cover-aspect-ratio="coverAspectRatio(book)" @action="handleBookAction(book, $event)" />
       </div>
     </div>
   </section>
diff --git a/client/src/features/series/views/SeriesDetailView.vue b/client/src/features/series/views/SeriesDetailView.vue
index a1bffc13e..f0631df68 100644
--- a/client/src/features/series/views/SeriesDetailView.vue
+++ b/client/src/features/series/views/SeriesDetailView.vue
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ watch(
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <main class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-4 md:p-6">
+  <main class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto py-2">
     <div class="mb-4">
       <button class="flex items-center gap-1 text-sm text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:text-foreground" @click="goBack">
         <ChevronLeft :size="16" />
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ watch(
                 @click="editSeriesMetadata"
               >
                 <Pencil :size="14" />
-                {{ openingSeriesEditor ? 'Preparing editor...' : 'Edit Series Metadata' }}
+                {{ openingSeriesEditor ? 'Preparing editor...' : 'Edit Metadata' }}
               </button>
             </div>
 
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ watch(
       <!-- Books section -->
       <section v-if="seriesInfo" class="rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/60 p-3">
         <div
-          class="sticky top-0 z-20 -mx-3 mb-3 border-b border-border/60 bg-card/92 px-3 pb-3 pt-2 backdrop-blur supports-[backdrop-filter]:bg-card/78"
+          class="sticky top-0 z-20 -mx-3 mb-3 border-b border-border/60 bg-card/92 px-3 pb-3 pt-1 backdrop-blur supports-backdrop-filter:bg-card/78"
         >
           <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 md:flex-row md:items-center md:justify-between">
             <h2 class="text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">Books</h2>