How to Read the Hunter Killer Series
For readers diving into the high-stakes undersea world of the Hunter Killer series, the reading path can seem slightly confusing due to movie tie-ins and title changes. The series is co-authored by former U.S. Navy submarine commander George Wallace and award-winning author Don Keith.
We recommend starting with the mainline series in publication order. While the books are designed to work well as standalone military thrillers, reading them in order allows you to experience the progression of naval technology and the shifting global geopolitical landscape that the authors weave into their plots.
There is also an important distinction to make regarding the book titled Hunter Killer (originally published in 2011 as Firing Point). While it inspired the 2018 Gerard Butler film of the same name and introduces Captain Joe Glass, the publisher numbers the series starting with Final Bearing (2003) as Book 1. We recommend reading Firing Point (a.k.a. Hunter Killer) either first as a prequel or immediately after Book 1 to meet Captain Joe Glass before he returns in the later sequels.
Mainline Hunter Killer Books in Publication Order
Here is the chronological publication list of the mainline novels in the series, which is the best way to tackle the books:
- Final Bearing (2003): The debut novel that started it all. Commander Jonathan Ward leads the aging nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Spadefish (SSN-668) on a final, hazardous mission to assist Navy SEALs in destroying a drug cartel's high-tech operations in South America.
- Dangerous Grounds (2019): Moving the action to East Asia, this book follows an unlikely crew including a DEA agent, a SEAL team, and a young midshipman trapped on a hijacked submarine trying to stop a rogue terrorist's nuclear plot.
- Cuban Deep (2019): The crew of the USS Toledo and a team of SEALs are deployed to stop a Venezuelan admiral's aggressive expansionist plot to seize Cuba's newly discovered undersea oil reserves.
- Fast Attack (2019): A relentless look at modern submarine warfare in the Western Pacific, focusing on sub-surface clashes and special forces operations.
- Arabian Storm (2020): Set in the volatile Persian Gulf, this entry follows Navy crews as they struggle to neutralize a sudden threat capable of shutting down the global energy supply.
- Warshot (2021): Commodore Joe Glass navigates a Pacific conflict fueled by greed, corruption, and gold, putting his tactical prowess to the ultimate test.
- Silent Running (2022): The crew must operate under maximum stealth conditions, highlighting the claustrophobic tension and acoustic chess matches of undersea hunting.
- Snapshot (2023): Plunged into the freezing waters of the Sea of Okhotsk, the crew handles a Russian naval crisis that threatens to break international diplomatic ties and start a global war.
- Southern Cross (2024): Submarine warfare goes to the Southern Hemisphere, where the crew faces off in the cold and remote waters of the Antarctic.
- The Gibraltar Affair (2025): The tenth mainline novel brings the crew to the Mediterranean, managing blockades and high-stakes standoffs in the strategic Gibraltar strait.
The Movie Tie-in: Firing Point / Hunter Killer
Originally published in 2011 as Firing Point, this blockbuster novel centers on a tense international crisis where an American nuclear submarine (the USS Toledo) is caught in a conspiracy involving a sunken Russian sub and a rogue coup in Russia. To prevent World War III, Commander Joe Glass must coordinate a daring rescue of the Russian president alongside a Navy SEAL team.
Following the release of the 2018 movie adaptation starring Gerard Butler as Joe Glass and Gary Oldman, the book was re-released under the title Hunter Killer. Because it introduces Joe Glass, who becomes a recurring commander in the later books starting around Warshot, it is highly recommended reading for any fan of the franchise.
The Spin-Off: The Tides of War Series
If you finish the mainline series and want more submarine action, Wallace and Keith launched a historical companion series titled The Tides of War. This series shifts focus to the brave crews of the "Silent Service" during World War II, following four young Annapolis graduates who are scattered across the globe as the war begins. The series includes:
- Argentia Station (2025): Set in 1939, four Navy Ensigns are stationed at a covert base in Newfoundland to help the British defend against German U-boats in the North Atlantic.
- Darkest Before Dawn: Continues the wartime journey of the Annapolis graduates as they face mounting U-boat threats.
- A Code for Victory: Concludes the high-stakes intelligence and submarine battles of the WWII era.
What to Know Before You Start
The hallmark of the Hunter Killer books is their unparalleled technical accuracy. George Wallace spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy submarine service, command-riding nuclear attack submarines like the USS Houston (SSN-713). His practical expertise ensures that every sonar ping, torpedo launch, and tactical maneuver feels completely authentic. When combined with Don Keith's dramatic narrative pacing, the result is a series that rival the classics of Tom Clancy and W.E.B. Griffin.
You do not need to worry about deep continuity locks between the books. Aside from recurring characters like Joe Glass, each book functions as a self-contained international crisis. You can comfortably read them out of order if you happen to pick up a later book first.