John Decker Books in Order

The Best Reading Order for John Decker

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the John Decker series in publication order. While each book presents a self-contained supernatural investigation, John Decker's personal life, his transition into a professional monster hunter, and his relationships with key characters like Nancy, Colum O'Shea, and Mina develop significantly over the course of the series. Reading out of order will spoil major character milestones, such as his joining CUSP or his engagement and wedding. The only major choice is whether to start with the prequel novella or Book 1.

Option A: The Chronological Path (Starting with the Prequel)

If you prefer to know Decker's full history before his first official monster hunt, start with the prequel novella Soul Catcher. This story introduces Decker as a New York detective who teams up with an Egyptologist to prevent an ancient cult from unleashing a supernatural threat. It sets up the dark tone of his universe and provides early context on his character before his life falls apart.

Option B: The Publication Path (Recommended Starting Point)

The majority of fans recommend starting with What Vengeance Comes (Book 1). This is where the core themes of the series are established. Decker, now a disgraced ex-cop working as a sheriff, returns to Louisiana to confront his tragic past and battles a mythical loup garou. Beginning here allows you to experience the mysteries and character growth in the exact sequence the author intended, with the prequel read as a companion flashback later.

The Complete John Decker Book List in Order

Here is the complete list of Anthony M. Strong's John Decker books in publication order, along with details on their locations, plots, and monsters:

• Soul Catcher (2015 - Prequel Novella): Set in New York City, this prequel introduces John Decker as a detective dealing with a mysterious cult and a cursed statue of Anubis.
• What Vengeance Comes (2015 - Book 1): Decker returns to Wolf Haven, Louisiana, to face the loup garou (werewolf) that murdered his mother years ago.
• Cold Sanctuary (2016 - Book 2): Set in a remote, freezing Alaskan town where Decker investigates a series of murders linked to the Inuit legend of the Qalupalik.
• Crimson Deep (2020 - Book 3): Set in the Florida woodlands, Decker tracks a deadly aquatic predator while dealing with a gang of bank robbers.
• Grendel's Labyrinth (2020 - Book 4): Decker's first official assignment for CUSP takes him to Clareconnell, Ireland, where archaeologists have uncovered the tomb and bones of Grendel.
• Whitechapel Rising (2020 - Book 5): Located in London, this story features the discovery of Jack the Ripper's secret lair and a vampire variant hunting for immortality.
• Black Tide (2021 - Book 6): CUSP dispatches Decker to investigate a distress call from a long-lost WWII U-boat carrying a terrifying presence.
• Ghost Canyon (2021 - Book 7): Decker travels to a deserted gold mine in the American West to hunt a creature that local police cannot stop.
• Cryptid Quest (2021 - Book 8): Set in the dense Amazon Jungle, Decker searches for a missing reality TV crew that discovered an ancient, multi-cultural fortress.
• Last Resort (2022 - Book 9): Decker and his fiancée, Nancy, travel to Singer Cay in the Bermuda Triangle for their wedding, only to uncover a dark, ancient secret.
• Dark Force (2022 - Book 10): The start of the historical arc. Decker is stranded in 1911 London, searching for Mina and encountering the Order of St. George, the precursor organization to CUSP.
• A Ghost of Christmas Past (2022 - Book 11): Still stranded in 1911, Decker investigates a haunting at Blackthorn Manor in London during the winter holidays.
• Deadly Crossing (2022 - Book 12): In April 1912, Decker boards the ill-fated RMS Titanic to rescue Mina, facing a cursed mummy and an old rival.
• Final Destiny (2023 - Book 13): Having survived the Titanic sinking, Decker and Mina arrive in 1912 New York City to solve a series of gruesome murders near the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Night Wraith (2023 - Book 14): Decker returns to the modern day, where a century-old letter awakens a dormant supernatural entity.
• Wolf Haven (2024 - Book 15): Decker returns to his Louisiana hometown to settle old scores and confront the werewolf curse once and for all.

The CUSP Files Spin-Offs

During his adventures, John Decker works closely with **CUSP** (Classified Universal Special Projects), a covert organization dedicated to researching and neutralizing paranormal threats. In 2023, Anthony M. Strong launched a spin-off series focusing on other CUSP operatives. These books expand the John Decker Universe and feature cameos and references to the main series:

1. Deadly Truth (2023 - CUSP Files Book 1): Operatives investigate paranormal disturbances and cover-ups.
2. Devil's Forest (2023 - CUSP Files Book 2): A team is sent to handle a dark presence in a dense, cursed woodland.

While they are written as standalones, you will get the most enjoyment out of the CUSP Files if you have already read up to at least Book 6 (Black Tide) in the main John Decker series, which firmly establishes the organization's role.

The 1911-1912 Historical Time-Travel Arc

One of the most unique aspects of the John Decker series is the historical narrative arc spanning Books 10 through 13. Rather than taking place in the modern day, Decker is thrown back in time to the early 20th century. This arc must be read in strict order: Dark Force, A Ghost of Christmas Past, Deadly Crossing, and Final Destiny. Reading these out of order will make the overarching story of Decker trying to find Mina and return to the modern day highly confusing and ruin the suspense of their survival on the Titanic.

What to Know Before You Start

If you are a fan of James Rollins, Preston & Child, or Stephen King, you will feel right at home with John Decker. The series blends police procedurals with supernatural horror and archaeological mysteries. While the early books feel like classic monster-of-the-week tales, the introduction of CUSP adds a fun, secret-agent flair to the proceedings. Each book is relatively fast-paced, featuring vivid geographic locations and cinematic action sequences.