Books On Board
series Reading Order

Carlisle & Holbrooke Naval Adventures Books in Order

14 Books
2017 – 2023 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

How to Read the Carlisle & Holbrooke Series

For readers looking to dive into the salt-sprayed world of the British Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War, the recommended path is simple: read the books in publication order. Because author Chris Durbin writes the series as a continuous narrative following the careers, promotions, and personal lives of Virginian officer Edward Carlisle and his English protégé George Holbrooke, the chronological timeline matches the publication order exactly.

Starting with the first book allows you to appreciate the growth of the characters, the evolving geopolitical stakes, and the gradual build-up of tensions that hint at the coming American Revolution.

Publication and Chronological Order of Books

Here is the complete list of the Carlisle & Holbrooke Naval Adventures in their chronological and publication order:

  1. The Colonial Post-Captain (2017)
  2. The Leeward Islands Squadron (2018)
  3. The Jamaica Station (2018)
  4. Holbrooke's Tide (2019)
  5. The Cursed Fortress (2019)
  6. Perilous Shore (2019)
  7. Rocks and Shoals (2020)
  8. Niagara Squadron (2020)
  9. Ligurian Mission (2021)
  10. Nor'west by North (2021)
  11. Carlisle's Duty (2022)
  12. Treacherous Moon (2022)
  13. Cousins At Arms (2023)
  14. An Upright Man (2023)
  15. Old Bahama Straits (2024)
  16. Debatable Lands (2024)
  17. Red Gold (2025)
  18. Straits of Anián (2026)

Spin-offs and Standalones

The Carlisle & Holbrooke saga has no official spin-offs or co-authored novels. The entire series is written solely by Chris Durbin, drawing heavily on his 24 years of experience as a Royal Navy warfare officer to maintain historical and technical accuracy. However, Durbin has written one standalone novel, Silkworm!, which is a modern-era thriller set during the 1980s Gulf Tanker War. It is completely separate from the 18th-century setting of the main series.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting book for the Carlisle & Holbrooke series?

You should start with the first novel, The Colonial Post-Captain (2017), which introduces Edward Carlisle as a Virginian commander facing French fleets and colonial identity conflicts.

QIs the chronological order different from the publication order?

No. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly. The narrative follows a linear progression through the Seven Years' War and beyond.

QHow many books are in the Carlisle & Holbrooke series?

As of mid-2026, there are 18 published books in the series, ending with Straits of Anián.

QWho wrote the Carlisle & Holbrooke Naval Adventures?

The series is written by Chris Durbin, a retired Royal Navy officer who brings real-life maritime experience to the historical detail in the books.

QAre there any co-authored books or spin-offs?

No, there are no co-authored books or spin-offs. However, Durbin has written a standalone modern naval thriller called Silkworm! which is unrelated to the Seven Years' War era.

QWhere can I find maps and track charts for the voyages in the books?

You can find track charts illustrating the naval paths taken by the vessels on the author's official site, chris-durbin.com.