Where to Start with Ethan Warner
For readers diving into the high-stakes, science-infused world of Dean Crawford's thrillers, the best starting point is undoubtedly the very first novel, Covenant (2011). This book introduces Ethan Warner, a former war journalist scarred by his time in Iraq and Afghanistan, who finds himself reluctantly pulled into the world of defense contracting, global conspiracies, and archaeological enigmas. Reading in publication order allows you to experience Ethan's character development and his evolving partnership with former police detective Nicola Lopez naturally as the stakes escalate from isolated archaeological mysteries to world-altering technological threats.
The Ethan Warner Books in Order
Dean Crawford's novels featuring Ethan Warner are divided into two distinct but continuous series: the original Ethan Warner Series and the subsequent Warner & Lopez Series. Together, they form a single narrative arc spanning fifteen books, including a prequel.
Phase 1: The Original Ethan Warner Series
The original run of books establishes Ethan Warner's character, his transition from war reporter to investigator, and the introduction of Nicola Lopez as a crucial partner in his adventures. These books blend Michael Crichton-style techno-thrillers with historical conspiracy elements:
- Covenant (2011) – Ethan is hired to track down a kidnapped archaeologist who discovered a 7,000-year-old non-human tomb in Israel.
- Immortal (2012) – The duo investigates a 150-year-old corpse in New Mexico, leading to a shadowy billionaire's quest for eternal life.
- Apocalypse (2012) – A missing passenger jet in the Bermuda Triangle draws Ethan into a mind-bending mystery involving time-distortion and survival.
- The Chimera Secret (2013) – A race against time to stop a deadly bio-weapon and unravel genetic secrets.
- The Eternity Project (2013) – Strange murders tied to a dark CIA experiment exploring the boundaries of life after death.
Phase 2: The Warner & Lopez Series
After the original run, Dean Crawford officially rebranded the series to highlight the cooperative dynamic between the two protagonists, continuing the story seamlessly under the Warner & Lopez banner. These books lean even further into speculative science, global defense operations, and ancient technology:
- The Nemesis Origin (2015)
- The Fusion Cage (2015)
- The Identity Mine (2015)
- The Black Knight (2015)
- The Extinction Code (2016)
- The Genesis Cypher (2016)
- The Atlantis Codex (2017)
- The Disclosure Protocol (2018)
- Event Horizon (2019)
Chronological Order and the Prequel
While the publication order is highly recommended to follow the release of the books, there is one chronological exception. In 2018, Crawford published a prequel novel titled Vanishing Point. This book takes place in 2014, chronologically fitting between the original Ethan Warner series and the Warner & Lopez series.
In Vanishing Point, Ethan Warner is framed for a murder in Illinois. Relying on Nicola Lopez to help clear his name, the investigation leads them to a mysterious cult hiding a terrifying secret in the backwoods of Cairo, Illinois. While it can be read first, it is best enjoyed after the first few books once you are already familiar with the characters' chemistry.
Themes and What to Know Before You Start
Dean Crawford’s thrillers are famous for combining real scientific concepts—such as MKUltra research, quantum anomalies, genetic engineering, and historical mysteries—with speculative fiction. Crawford, who originally trained to be an RAF fighter pilot but was grounded due to color blindness, infuses his love for aviation and advanced science into the technical aspects of the plots. Fans of James Rollins, Dan Brown, and Steve Berry will find themselves right at home with the fast-paced, globetrotting adventures.
Although the books can occasionally be read as standalones due to self-contained mysteries in each volume, the relationship between Ethan and Nicola, as well as recurring organizations and backstories, makes reading them in sequence the most rewarding experience. There are no co-authored books in the series; Dean Crawford writes all the novels solo. There are no direct spin-off series, although Crawford has written other thriller series like the Atlantia and Old Ironsides books that share his signature high-action, speculative style.