Justin Hall Books in Order

Where to Start Reading the Justin Hall Series

For anyone looking to plunge into the shadowy world of international espionage, there is one undisputed entry point: Arctic Wargame (also published under the title Canadian Assassin). Released in 2012, this debut novel establishes the baseline for the entire series. It introduces us to Justin Hall, a Canadian Intelligence Service (CIS) operative who has been recently demoted following a disastrous operation in Libya. It also introduces his fearless partner, Carrie O’Connor. Together, they are sent to the freezing landscapes of the Canadian Arctic to investigate a threat that quickly unravels into a massive conspiracy of treason and survival.

Starting at the beginning is highly recommended. Although each book in the series centers on a self-contained mission with its own resolution, the characters’ personal lives, their relationships, and the shifting dynamics within the CIS evolve significantly from one book to the next. Reading the books out of order won't leave you completely lost regarding the immediate plot, but you will miss the rich, overarching character development and the gradual build-up of agency secrets and betrayal.

Justin Hall Books in Publication Order

Author Ethan Jones has been incredibly prolific, releasing 16 full-length novels along with a key short story/novella that fits into the main timeline. If you want to follow Justin’s career as the author wrote it, use this publication checklist:

• Arctic Wargame / Canadian Assassin (2012) - The series opener that establishes Justin and Carrie’s partnership.
• Tripoli's Target (2012) - A pulse-pounding chase in North Africa during a G-20 summit.
• Fog of War / Iranian Protocol (2013) - A rogue mission involving agency betrayal and a Russian oligarch.
• The Interrogation (2013) - A crucial short story/novella detailing a high-tension questioning that bridges key events.
• Double Agents (2013) - Justin and Carrie head to Moscow to confront Chechen terrorists and double-crosses.
• Rogue Agents (2014) - The agents find themselves off the grid and running out of allies.
• Shadow Agents (2014) - A deep dive into black-ops and hidden agendas within international borders.
• Homeland (2015) - A threat hits close to home, forcing Justin to operate on domestic soil.
• The Saudi Strategy (2015) - An intricate plot involving Middle Eastern geopolitics and high-stakes diplomacy.
• The Central Connection / CIA Connection (2016) - A cross-border collaboration with American intelligence that tests loyalties.
• The Austrian Asset (2017) - A fast-paced chase through Europe to retrieve a compromised asset.
• The Belgian Bagman (2017) - Financial conspiracies and shadow networks collide in Brussels.
• The Cyprus Coverup (2017) - A sun-drenched Mediterranean setting hides a dark web of secrets.
• Covert Assassin (2018) - Justin takes on a deadly, stealthy hunt where lines of law are blurred.
• Target Acquired (2018) - A high-stakes race against the clock to neutralize an imminent threat.
• The Russian Defector (2020) - Cold War tensions resurface as a key Russian official attempts to cross over.
• Resident Spy (2020) - The sixteenth novel, pushing Justin’s skills and survival instincts to their absolute limits.

Chronological Caveats and Title Confusion

For the most part, the publication order of the Justin Hall series matches its chronological timeline. However, there are a few important details to keep in mind so you don't buy the same book twice or get confused about where stories fit:

Alternate Titles

Several of the early novels were republished with different, often more action-oriented titles. Arctic Wargame is the exact same book as Canadian Assassin. Similarly, Fog of War is identical to Iranian Protocol, and The Central Connection is sold in some markets as CIA Connection. Always check the description before purchasing to avoid duplicates.

Novellas and Short Stories

The Interrogation was published in 2013 and is chronologically positioned between Fog of War and Double Agents. Some readers prefer to read it as a prequel (Book 0.5) because it provides deep background on Justin's questioning techniques and mentality, while others insert it as Book 3.5. Another notable side story is the novella The Diplomat (often designated as Book 4.5), which sends Justin to Lagos, Nigeria to rescue a kidnapped Canadian diplomat. While these shorter pieces are not mandatory to understand the main novels, they offer excellent flavor and bridge the gaps between major operations.

The Expanded Ethan Jones Spy Universe: Spin-Offs

The success of the Justin Hall series paved the way for Ethan Jones to build a shared universe. If you finish Justin's main adventures and want to stay in this world, there are two major spin-off series to check out:

The Carrie Chronicles

This series centers on Carrie O’Connor, Justin Hall’s brilliant and deadly partner. It follows her on solo missions where she steps out of Justin's shadow. The chronological placement of her series runs parallel to the middle and later Justin Hall books, but they are fully standalone. The reading order for her spin-off is:

1. Priority Target (2014)
2. Codename: Makarov (2016)
3. Entry Point (2017)
4. Unknown Operative (2020)
5. Foreign Interference (2020)
6. Vatican Conspiracy (2022)

The Javin Pierce Series

Javin Pierce, known as 'The Corrector,' is another CIS operative in the same universe. When a covert operation goes horribly wrong, the agency sends Javin to clean up the mess. Pierce is a different kind of agent—calmer, highly methodical, and operating with extreme precision. While he doesn't have a direct crossover novel with Justin, they work for the same agency and face similar global threats. The Javin Pierce reading order is:

1. The Corrector
2. Betrayal
3. Closure
4. Retrieval
5. Interception
6. Deception
7. Counterblow

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Justin Hall’s world, it is helpful to know what makes Ethan Jones’ work stand out in the crowded espionage genre. Unlike many modern spy thrillers that focus heavily on the CIA or MI6, this series gives readers a refreshing Canadian perspective. The CIS is a very different beast, forcing Justin and Carrie to rely more on grit, stealth, and localized alliances rather than the unlimited resources of larger global intelligence agencies.

Furthermore, Ethan Jones has gained a significant following because of his commitment to writing clean suspense. While the books are fast-paced, filled with firefights, explosions, and high-tension operations, they avoid graphic violence and excessive language. This focus on clean, narrative-driven suspense makes them accessible to a wide audience while still keeping the stakes incredibly high. Finally, note that Ethan Jones is the sole author of these series, ensuring a consistent tone, pacing, and character voice from the first page of Arctic Wargame to the final chapter of Resident Spy.