Dane Maddock Books in Order

How to Start the Dane Maddock Adventures

If you are looking for a modern-day mix of Indiana Jones, Dirk Pitt, and archaeological mystery, David Wood's Dane Maddock Adventures is the perfect destination. The series follows ex-Navy SEALs Dane Maddock and his humorous partner, Uriah 'Bones' Bonebrake, as they travel the globe to search for lost artifacts, uncover ancient mysteries, and thwart shadowy organizations. While the broader 'Dane Maddock Universe' has grown to include prequels, spin-offs, and multi-author collaborations, the absolute best place to start is with the original debut novel, Dourado (2004).

Although some digital platforms and automated databases occasionally list the 2019 novel Blue Descent as the first book due to bundle sorting or licensing updates, starting there will skip years of character development. Beginning with Dourado introduces you to the core dynamic between Dane and Bones, setting the foundation for the high-stakes thrills, witty banter, and speculative history that define the series.

The Core Series in Publication Order

For the main series, reading in publication order is highly recommended. While each adventure operates as a self-contained mission involving a specific historical enigma, the personal relationships, minor character arcs, and recurring enemies evolve from book to book. Here is the publication order for the primary Dane Maddock Adventures:

1. Dourado (2004) - Dane and Bones hunt a sunken Portuguese brig carrying a Biblical treasure, bringing them into conflict with deadly adversaries.
2. Cibola (2009) - Joining forces with archaeologist Jade Ihara, the team races against a shadowy organization called the Dominion to locate the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola.
3. Quest (2011) - A search for the mythical Spear of Destiny leads to high-stakes action.
4. Icefall (2011) - An expedition to the frozen north reveals Viking secrets and deep-sea danger.
5. Buccaneer (2012) - The search for Captain Kidd's lost treasure turns into a race against modern pirates.
6. Atlantis (2013) - A globetrotting quest to find remnants of the lost city before a doomsday weapon is unleashed.
7. Ark (2015) - Dane and Bones search for Noah's Ark, facing ancient conspiracies and extreme environments.
8. Xibalba (2017) - A journey into the Mayan underworld to uncover an ancient power source.
9. Loch (2017) - The duo tackles the mysteries of the Loch Ness Monster with a speculative sci-fi twist.
10. Solomon Key (2018) - Historical cryptograms lead to a treasure hidden by King Solomon.
11. Contest (2019) - A deadly competition where survival is the only prize.
12. Blue Descent (2019) - An underwater mystery that tests the team's limits.
13. Serpent (2020) - An exploration of ancient Egyptian mythology and hidden tombs.
14. Eden Quest (2022) - A quest to find the historical location of the Garden of Eden.
15. Thunder Mountain (2023) - Native American legends and hidden gold in the American West.
16. Desert Gold (2023) - A high-stakes race through arid landscapes in search of a lost hoard.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

If you prefer to follow the characters' lives strictly chronologically, you can start with the prequel series, Dane Maddock Origins. These stories, often co-authored with Sean Ellis and other action writers, explore Dane and Bones' earlier operations while serving in the Navy SEALs. However, most readers find that starting with the prequels is less satisfying because the books assume you are already familiar with the characters' personalities, inside jokes, and future team dynamic. Reading them after the first few main novels provides excellent context without spoiling the fun.

Exploring the Subseries and Spin-Offs

David Wood has built an expansive shared universe by collaborating with other prominent indie authors. These subseries enrich the world and explore side characters:

Dane Maddock Origins

Set prior to the events of Dourado, these books showcase the military backgrounds and early missions of Dane and Bones:

• Freedom (2013)
• Hell Ship (2014)
• Splashdown (2014)
• Dead Ice (2014)
• Liberty (2014)
• Electra (2014)
• Amber (2015)
• Justice (2016)
• Treasure of the Dead (2016)
• Bloodstorm (2019)

Dane Maddock Universe

These collaborative works are co-authored by David Wood alongside writers like Matt James and Rick Chesler. They frequently spotlight secondary characters or place Dane and Bones in unique standalone scenarios:

• Urban Legend (2017)
• Herald (2018)
• Brainwash (2018)
• Berserk (2018)
• Cavern (2018)
• Devil's Face (2018)
• The Tomb (2018)
• Maug (2019)
• The Elementals (2019)
• Shasta (2020)
• Legends (2020)
• Golden Dragon (2022)
• Emerald Dragon (2022)

Dane Maddock: Elementals Trilogy

Co-authored with Sean Ellis, this trilogy is a focused subseries where the team searches for four ancient elemental artifacts while battling a powerful secret society known as the Prometheus Group. It is best read after finishing Ark:

• Outpost (2018)
• Arcanum (2018)
• Magus (2018)

Destination Adventure Series

These quick-read novellas focus on fast-paced, site-specific treasure hunts in major international cities:

• Destination: Rio (2018)
• Destination: Luxor (2018)
• Destination: Sofia (2019)

What to Know Before You Start

The Dane Maddock Adventures offer lighthearted, PG-13 action that avoids extreme graphic violence or explicit content, making them accessible to a wide audience. Because David Wood weaves real historical theories, biblical archaeology, and cryptozoology into his plots, the series appeals strongly to history enthusiasts who enjoy 'what-if' speculations. While you can read individual books as standalones, following the publication order lets you enjoy the evolution of recurring organizations like the Dominion and the growth of the team's inner circle.