The Recommended Reading Order for Martin Scarsden
To fully appreciate the emotional character arcs and the unfolding mysteries of Chris Hammer's acclaimed thriller series, you should read the Martin Scarsden books in order of their publication. Because the personal lives and relationship dynamics of the central characters develop continuously across the books, jumping in out of order will spoil major plot points and relationship milestones.
Here is the recommended reading path for the Martin Scarsden series:
Scrublands (2018)
The series begins in Riversend, a parched, drought-ravaged town in the Australian outback. Investigative journalist Martin Scarsden arrives one year after a charismatic local priest, Byron Swift, opened fire on his own congregation, killing five people before being shot dead by police. Written as a simple anniversary feature, Martin's investigation quickly uncovers deep-seated local secrets, corruption, and a community harboring dark truths that don't match the official narrative.
Silver (2019)
Moving away from the dusty outback, the second installment shifts to Port Silver, a dramatic coastal community and Martin's childhood hometown. Hoping to build a quiet life with his partner, Mandalay (Mandy) Blonde, Martin instead lands in the middle of a fresh nightmare. His childhood friend Jasper is found brutally murdered, and Mandy is quickly named the prime suspect. To clear her name, Martin must dig into the town's history and confront his own traumatic past.
Trust (2020)
The third novel takes Martin and Mandy to the urban landscape of Sydney. What begins as a high-society book launch quickly turns sinister when a body is discovered, dragging Martin into a dizzying web of corporate corruption, political misconduct, and personal danger. As Mandy's own history is dredged up once again, the couple faces a high-stakes struggle to protect their family and find the truth.
Legacy (2025)
After a five-year hiatus during which Hammer focused on other characters, Martin Scarsden returns in this long-awaited fourth book. When a bomb targets Martin's latest book launch, he is forced to flee and go into hiding in a remote outback town. Entangled in a dangerous, long-standing family feud alongside a ghostwriter named Ecco, Martin must survive while clearing his name. This installment also features exciting crossover appearances from other beloved characters in the Hammerverse.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order: Can They Be Read Standalone?
Because the mystery in each book is self-contained and resolved by the final pages, it is technically possible to enjoy them as standalone thrillers. However, doing so is highly discouraged. The emotional core of the series is the complex, trauma-bonded relationship between Martin Scarsden and Mandy Blonde. Their journey, along with Martin's ongoing battle with post-traumatic stress and his transition from burnt-out journalist to novelist, is a serialized narrative that builds directly from one book to the next. For the best experience, stick strictly to the publication order.
Expanding the Hammerverse: Spin-offs and the Shared Universe
Readers who finish the Martin Scarsden books do not have to leave Chris Hammer's gritty Australian setting behind. The author has created a shared literary universe—often dubbed the "Hammerverse" by fans—where characters cross paths across different series.
The Ivan Lucic & Nell Buchanan Series
If you enjoy Martin Scarsden's investigative world, your next stop should be Chris Hammer's second crime series focusing on homicide detectives Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan. Ivan Lucic actually makes his debut as a secondary character in the Martin Scarsden books, working as an "off-sider" to Detective Morris Montifore. Following his role in the Scarsden novels, Lucic graduated to lead protagonist alongside Detective Nell Buchanan. The series includes:
- Treasure & Dirt (2021) (Published internationally as Opal Country)
- The Tilt (2022) (Published internationally as Dead Man's Creek)
- The Seven (2023) (Published internationally as Cover the Bones)
- The Valley (2024) (Published internationally as The Broken River)
The worlds collide directly in Legacy (2025), which features key cameo appearances by both Lucic and Buchanan, tying the two series together and rewarding fans who have read all of Hammer's thrillers.
Standalone Work
In addition to his series, Chris Hammer is releasing his first standalone thriller, Full Circle, in late 2026. This epic novel follows a new protagonist, Travis Somerland, navigating a high-stakes dynastic power struggle within a wealthy family.
From Page to Screen: The Television Adaptations
The tension and atmospheric heat of the books have translated perfectly to the screen in a popular television adaptation streaming globally. The television series stars Luke Arnold as Martin Scarsden and Bella Heathcote as Mandy Blonde (spelled "Mandy Bond" in the show credits).
- Season 1: Scrublands (2023) – A faithful six-part adaptation of the debut novel, capturing the oppressive, sun-baked atmosphere of Riversend.
- Season 2: Scrublands: Silver (2025) – Adapts the second novel, moving the action to the coastal setting of Port Silver as Martin tries to clear Mandy's name.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, it helps to understand the unique style of Chris Hammer's writing. Drawing on his thirty-year career as an international journalist, Hammer infuses the Martin Scarsden series with an authentic, grounded perspective on media investigations, newsroom politics, and ethics. The Australian landscape acts as a character in its own right—from the suffocating, dusty heat of the outback in Scrublands to the humid, salt-sprayed cliffs of Silver. Expect complex, flawed characters, slow-burn plotting, and deep atmospheric tension that perfectly embodies modern Australian noir.