Dewey Andreas Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Dewey Andreas

If you want to experience Dewey Andreas’s journey from a grieving, off-the-grid former soldier to one of the CIA's most lethal assets, you should read the books in publication order. Because the characters evolve, suffer tragic losses, and build long-term alliances, reading chronologically ensures you won't spoil major plot twists or character arcs.

Here is the complete publication and chronological order for the Dewey Andreas series:

1. Power Down (2010) – The debut novel that introduces Dewey Andreas. Working as a crew chief on an offshore oil platform in Colombia, Dewey survives a massive terrorist attack and must hunt down the conspirators before they disable the American energy grid.
2. Coup d'État (2011) – Dewey is pulled back into action to prevent a nuclear war between India and Pakistan by staging a high-risk coup against a radical Pakistani general.
3. The Last Refuge (2012) – Dewey goes undercover in Iran to rescue an abducted scientist and prevent a nuclear strike. Crucially, this book introduces Rob Tacoma, a Navy SEAL who becomes Dewey's closest ally and later stars in his own spin-off.
4. Eye for an Eye (2013) – Following a devastating personal tragedy where his fiancée is murdered, a vengeful Dewey goes rogue to track down a ruthless Chinese mastermind.
5. Independence Day (2015) (Also published as A Day to Kill) – Dewey races against time to locate a nuclear device smuggled into the United States by a rogue Russian faction.
6. First Strike (2016) – When ISIS terrorists take over a dormitory at Columbia University, Dewey leads a desperate counter-assault to rescue the hostages.
7. Trap the Devil (2017) – Dewey uncovers a massive deep-state conspiracy within the highest levels of the United States government.
8. Shooting Gallery (2018) – A fast-paced novella (numbered as Book 7.5). Dewey takes time off in Mexico to help Rob Tacoma and Katie Fox rescue the kidnapped son of the Vice President.
9. Bloody Sunday (2018) – Dewey is poisoned with a lethal chemical agent and has only a few hours to find the antidote while attempting to stop a North Korean plot.
10. The Island (2021) – Dewey seeks peace on a remote island, but must defend it when a highly trained mercenary group launches an assault.
11. Hijack (2026) – The tenth full-length novel, published in June 2026. Dewey is living in self-imposed exile in Mexico when he boards a flight to Dubai to eliminate a terrorist target, only to have the plane hijacked by Iranian suicide bombers.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

In the case of the Dewey Andreas saga, publication order and chronological order are virtually identical. The only minor exception is the novella Shooting Gallery. Released in early June 2018, this short thriller is officially designated as Book 7.5. It takes place after the events of Trap the Devil and right before the high-stakes ticking-clock plot of Bloody Sunday. While you can skip the novella without losing the main thread of the series, it provides great action and setup for Dewey's team dynamic with Rob Tacoma.

The Rob Tacoma Spin-Off Connection

As the series progresses, Ben Coes introduces key recurring figures, none more important than former Navy SEAL Rob Tacoma. After establishing himself as Dewey’s trusted brother-in-arms, Tacoma received his own spin-off novel:

• The Russian (2019) – This novel follows Rob Tacoma as he is tasked by the CIA to wage a shadow war against the Russian mafia, which has begun assassinating American politicians.

For the best reading experience, you should read The Russian after Bloody Sunday (Book 8) and before The Island (Book 9). Reading it here fits perfectly into the timeline of the universe and maintains the continuity of the characters' shared operations.

What to Know Before You Start

Ben Coes’s writing is heavily inspired by his background as a White House speechwriter and political operative. His books are celebrated for their gritty realism, detailed descriptions of tactical weaponry, and authentic depictions of geopolitical chess matches. If you enjoy authors like Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and Tom Clancy, you will feel right at home.

However, readers should be prepared for a high emotional toll. Unlike some spy thrillers where the hero remains untouched, Dewey Andreas is a deeply scarred protagonist. He carries the weight of immense personal grief—having lost his son to cancer and his wife to suicide before the series begins—and his list of personal tragedies only grows as the books progress. This vulnerability and trauma ground the stories, making his victories feel earned and his character exceptionally human.

Where to Start and Standalone Guidance

While Ben Coes writes each book with a self-contained mission that can technically stand on its own, it is highly recommended to start with Power Down. The relationships Dewey builds, his psychological state, and the recurring villains (such as members of the Fortuna family) span multiple books. Reading the series out of order will lessen the emotional impact of the tragedies Dewey faces and make the evolution of the CIA’s tactical teams harder to follow.