Books On Board

Jonathan Grave Books in Order

  • 17 Books
  • 2009 – 2024 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Reading Order for Jonathan Grave

For the best experience, readers should follow the Jonathan Grave series in publication order. While many of the rescue missions can function as standalone action thrillers, the core cast of characters, their personal relationships, and the political landscape of the series evolve significantly from book to book. Key character developments, such as FBI Director Irene Rivers' complex relationship with Grave's freelance team, build directly on the events of previous novels.

Jonathan Grave Main Series in Order

  1. No Mercy (2009) – The series debut. Jonathan Grave is hired to rescue a kidnapped U.S. diplomat's family, only to uncover a deep political conspiracy.
  2. Hostage Zero (2010) – Grave and his partner Boxers rescue two abducted teenagers, but the fallout connects directly to Grave's own mysterious past.
  3. Threat Warning (2011) – A hostage situation at a local high school forces Grave to coordinate a rescue under intense media and law enforcement scrutiny.
  4. Damage Control (2011) – When a rescue mission in the Indiana wilderness goes sideways, Grave's team becomes the targets of a massive cover-up.
  5. Soft Targets (2013) – Technically cataloged as Book 5 (or 5.5 by some readers), this is a shorter prequel novella focusing on how FBI Special Agent Irene Rivers first turned to Grave for help when her own daughters were abducted.
  6. High Treason (2013) – Grave is hired to locate the kidnapped close advisor to the President of the United States, pulling his team into a constitutional crisis.
  7. End Game (2014) – A rescue mission in the middle of a global summit leads Grave to suspect a leak within his own inner circle.
  8. Against All Enemies (2015) – Grave faces off against an elite, rogue military faction trying to manipulate global conflicts. (Winner of the International Thriller Writers Award).
  9. Friendly Fire (2016) – An old friend's call for help traps Grave and Boxers in a deadly conspiracy involving highly classified government technology.
  10. Final Target (2017) – Grave must rescue a young boy from a secure, remote compound, forcing the team to navigate heavily fortified enemy territory.
  11. Scorpion Strike (2018) – A rescue mission in the Middle East goes wrong when Grave is captured, leaving Boxers and the team to orchestrate a desperate breakout.
  12. Total Mayhem (2019) – An assassin targeting high-ranking military officials puts Grave's team on the defensive.
  13. Hellfire (2020) – Grave investigates a series of coordinate-based attacks that threaten to spark an international conflict.
  14. Stealth Attack (2021) – When a domestic militia seizes control of a small town, Grave must infiltrate the area to prevent a bloodbath.
  15. Lethal Game / Lethal Prey (2022) – A rescue mission in the Mexican jungle forces Grave to confront a ruthless drug cartel and their mercenary forces.
  16. Harm's Way (2023) – Grave travels to Venezuela to locate kidnapped missionaries, only to find himself in the crosshairs of a global conspiracy.
  17. Zero Sum (2024) – A relentless race against time as Grave's team battles a highly organized terrorist cell plotting an attack on American soil.
  18. Scorched Earth (2026) – Following the ousting of a corrupt administration, Grave and his team find themselves on an off-the-record hit list of contractors marked for elimination.

Spin-Offs and Universe Tie-Ins

John Gilstrap expanded the Jonathan Grave universe with a spin-off series focusing on one of Grave's most critical allies: Irene Rivers. In the aftermath of the presidential ousting at the conclusion of Zero Sum (Book 17), Rivers resigns from her post as the Director of the FBI and seeks a quiet life in West Virginia, setting the stage for her own series.

  • Burned Bridges (2025) – The first installment of the Irene Rivers spin-off series. Stripped of her federal resources and codenamed 'Wolverine,' Irene must protect her family from corrupt local figures after her nephew discovers a dead body on their new farm.

What to Know Before You Start

Jonathan Grave, codenamed 'Digger,' is an ex-Delta Force operator who runs a legitimate private security company called Security Solutions as a front for his illegal, off-the-books hostage rescues. Grave operates under a strict moral code: he only accepts missions where the government cannot or will not intervene, and he donates his hefty rescue fees to support his private school for the children of deceased military operatives.

Grave is supported by a tight-knit ensemble cast. This includes Boxers, his physically imposing special-ops partner; Venice Alexander, an elite hacker who provides tactical and tech support; and Gail 'Gunslinger' Bonneville, a highly capable weapons expert. Understanding these team dynamics is why reading in publication order is highly recommended, as their trust and shared history develop across successive missions.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting point for the Jonathan Grave series?

The best place to start is No Mercy (2009), the first book in the series. It establishes Jonathan Grave's character, his Security Solutions team, and his complicated relationship with the FBI.

Are the Jonathan Grave books standalone novels?

Yes, the individual rescue missions are self-contained and resolve by the end of each book. However, the overarching character arcs, the evolution of the team, and political subplots continue across the series, making publication order the ideal way to read them.

What is the connection between Jonathan Grave and the Irene Rivers series?

Irene Rivers is the former FBI Director who frequently allied with Grave. After she resigns at the end of Zero Sum, her story continues in the spin-off novel Burned Bridges (2025).

Where does the novella Soft Targets fit in the reading order?

Soft Targets (2013) is a prequel novella that can be read either first to see the origins of Irene Rivers' partnership with Jonathan Grave, or in its publication order position between Damage Control and High Treason.

Is the Victoria Emerson series connected to Jonathan Grave?

No. The Victoria Emerson series (starting with Crimson Phoenix) is a separate post-apocalyptic thriller series written by John Gilstrap and does not take place in the Jonathan Grave universe.