Where to Start Reading the Cordell Logan Series
For the best experience, you should start reading the series with the first book, Flat Spin. Because the books feature continuous character development—focusing on Cordell's relationships, his attempts to live by Buddhist tenets, and his transition from a government assassin to a civilian flight instructor—reading them in sequence prevents major spoilers and helps you appreciate his personal journey.
Cordell Logan Books in Order
The publication order of the Cordell Logan series matches its chronological timeline exactly. Follow this order to keep up with Cordell, his ex-wife Savannah, and his trusty Cessna 172, the "Ruptured Duck":
- Flat Spin (2012) – Cordell is pulled into a murder investigation involving his ex-wife's new husband.
- Fangs Out (2013) – A trip to investigative waters becomes deadly when Cordell is hired to look into a suspicious suicide.
- Voodoo Ridge (2014) – Cordell investigates a decades-old plane crash in the Sierra Nevada that has recently claimed fresh victims.
- The Three-Nine Line (2015) – The action moves to Vietnam as Cordell searches for a missing pilot and confronts ghosts from his past.
- Hot Start (2016) – Cordell becomes the target of a mysterious killer who is systematically targeting his close associates.
- The Kill Circle (2017) – A case involving a wealthy defense contractor forces Cordell to infiltrate a dangerous secret society.
- Deep Fury (2024) – After a multi-year hiatus, Cordell returns to investigate the mysterious death of his former Air Force wingman.
- The Impossible Turn (Expected April 2027) – The upcoming eighth novel in the series is set to take Cordell Logan to northern Italy.
Reading Guidance & Tie-ins
The series is written entirely by David Freed, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and instrument-rated pilot, which brings authentic aviation and investigative details to every page. There are currently no spin-offs, co-authored books, or short stories to track down. Every entry is a standalone mystery wrapped in a larger, linear narrative arc, making it easy to climb into the cockpit and enjoy the ride from start to finish.