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series Reading Order

Alex Kovacs Books in Order

13 Books
2018 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start the Alex Kovacs Series

For the best experience, we recommend starting your journey with the first published novel, Vienna at Nightfall (2018). While Richard Wake later wrote a prequel novella, Ominous Austria, beginning with the original debut allows you to experience Alex Kovacs's character development and entry into the world of espionage exactly as the author intended. The prequel is best enjoyed as a companion piece after you've spent a few books with Alex.

Alex Kovacs Chronological Reading Order

If you prefer to follow the geopolitical timeline strictly from the beginning, read the books in chronological order. This places the prequel novella first:

  1. Ominous Austria (2021) — Prequel Novella (Book 0.5)
  2. Vienna at Nightfall (2018) — Book 1
  3. The Spies of Zurich (2018) — Book 2
  4. The Lyon Resistance (2019) — Book 3
  5. The Limoges Dilemma (2019) — Book 4
  6. Paris in Disguise (2019) — Book 5
  7. The Agony of France (2020) — Book 6
  8. To Normandy and Beyond (2021) — Book 7
  9. The Alpine Pursuit (2022) — Book 8
  10. Adrift in Istanbul (2022) — Book 9
  11. Budapest in Pieces (2022) — Book 10
  12. Escape from Estonia (2023) — Book 11
  13. Bucharest Unbound (2024) — Book 12
  14. Reunion in Prague (2024) — Book 13
  15. Nightmare in Poland (2025) — Book 14
  16. The Berlin Uprising (2025) — Book 15 (Series Finale)

Understanding the Story Arcs

The series can be grouped into distinct chronological eras that trace the evolution of the European conflict:

The Early Espionage Arc

Starting with Ominous Austria and Vienna at Nightfall, we meet Alex Kovacs as a Czech-born Viennese salesman. His regular business trips make him the perfect courier to smuggle secrets under the nose of the rising Nazi regime, leading up to his escape to Switzerland in The Spies of Zurich.

The French Resistance Arc

From The Lyon Resistance through To Normandy and Beyond, the setting shifts to occupied France. Here, Alex and his wife, Manon, become deeply embedded in the sabotage efforts of the Resistance, showcasing the grim realities and personal sacrifices of life under occupation.

The Post-Occupation and Cold War Arc

In the final phase of the series, starting with The Alpine Pursuit and concluding with The Berlin Uprising, Alex travels through a changing Europe, dealing with the aftermath of WWII and transitioning into the shadowy borders of the Cold War.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best book to start with in the Alex Kovacs series?

We recommend starting with the first full-length novel, Vienna at Nightfall. It introduces Alex Kovacs naturally as a reluctant salesman drawn into spying.

QHow many books are in the Alex Kovacs series?

The series consists of 15 novels and 1 prequel novella (Ominous Austria), concluding with The Berlin Uprising in 2025.

QDo I need to read Ominous Austria first?

No. Ominous Austria is a prequel novella published in 2021, long after the series started. It is optional and best read after getting familiar with the series.

QAre there any crossovers or spin-off series?

While Richard Wake has written other historical thrillers like the Peter Ritter series and the La Rue Family series, they do not feature crossovers with the Alex Kovacs series.

QIs the Alex Kovacs series finished?

Yes. Richard Wake concluded the series with the 15th book, The Berlin Uprising, published in 2025.

QWho wrote the Alex Kovacs books?

The series is written by Richard Wake, a former newspaper reporter and editor who turned to writing historical espionage fiction.