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Alex King Books in Order

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Where to Start

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to start with the book that launched the series, The Contract Man. This introduces you to Alex King at the height of his career, establishing the dark, gritty tone of the series. However, if you prefer chronological order, you can start with The Congo Contract, which is set twenty years prior to the first book and acts as an origin story.

Alex King Books in Order

Here is the complete list of novels featuring Alex King, following the main publication and reading path:

  1. The Contract Man (2015)
  2. Lies and Retribution (2016)
  3. Shadows of Good Friday (2017) – Prequel covering Alex King's first MI6 mission.
  4. The Five (2018)
  5. Reaper (2018)
  6. Stormbound (2018)
  7. Breakout (2019)
  8. From the Shadows (2019)
  9. Rogue (2019)
  10. The Asset (2020)
  11. Last Man Standing (2020)
  12. Hunter Killer (2021)
  13. The Congo Contract (2021) – Prequel set 20 years before the main series.
  14. Dead Man Walking (2022)
  15. Sovereign Power (2022)
  16. Kingmaker (2023)
  17. Untouchable (2023)
  18. The Enemy (2023)
  19. Die Trying (2024)
  20. All the King's Men (2024)
  21. The Eagle's Talon (2024)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

While reading in publication order is standard, two books break the timeline. Shadows of Good Friday reveals King's first assignment for MI6 in Northern Ireland and can be read as a standalone prequel before Book 1. Similarly, The Congo Contract takes readers back to King's early military career in Africa. Both books provide excellent background depth but can be read in their numerical series order without ruining the main plot progression.

Frequently Asked

QWho is the author of the Alex King series?

The Alex King series is written by British thriller author A.P. Bateman.

QCan I read the prequels first?

Yes. You can start with The Congo Contract (which takes place 20 years earlier) or Shadows of Good Friday (detailing his first MI6 mission) before reading The Contract Man.

QWhat is the very first Alex King book published?

The first published book in the series is The Contract Man, released in 2015.

QAre there other book series by the same author?

Yes, A.P. Bateman also writes the Rob Stone thriller series, which starts with The Ares Virus.

QDo I need to read the books in order?

While some novels work as standalones, it is recommended to read them in order to appreciate Alex King's personal evolution and the recurring characters.