Books On Board
series Reading Order

Matt Drake Books in Order

35 Books
2011 – 2019 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Matt Drake

If you are looking for high-octane archaeological adventures that blend the military tactical grit of the SAS with the myth-hunting flair of Indiana Jones, David Leadbeater's Matt Drake series is your perfect next read. With over thirty installments, this series follows Matt Drake, a retired SAS officer, and the elite SPEAR team as they race around the globe to track down powerful relics, prevent global catastrophes, and clash with dangerous shadow organizations.

The absolute best place to start is with the first novel, The Bones of Odin (2011). Because character relationships evolve, team members join or depart, and major villain arcs span multiple books, reading the series in publication order is highly recommended to appreciate the full scope of the narrative and the camaraderie of the SPEAR team.

The Core Matt Drake Series in Publication Order

While the series features standalone archaeological mysteries in each book, there are major continuing plotlines. Notably, the threat of the Blood King is a recurring shadow that looms over several books. Below is the complete publication order of the core Matt Drake novels, including the latest releases:

  1. The Bones of Odin (2011)
  2. The Blood King Conspiracy (2012)
  3. The Gates of Hell (2012)
  4. The Tomb of the Gods (2013)
  5. Brothers in Arms (2013)
  6. The Swords of Babylon (2013)
  7. Blood Vengeance (2014)
  8. Last Man Standing (2014)
  9. The Plagues of Pandora (2015)
  10. The Lost Kingdom (2015)
  11. The Ghost Ships of Arizona (2015)
  12. The Last Bazaar (2016)
  13. The Edge of Armageddon (2016)
  14. The Treasures of Saint Germain (2016)
  15. Inca Kings (2016)
  16. The Four Corners of the Earth (2017)
  17. The Seven Seals of Egypt (2017)
  18. Weapons of the Gods (2018)
  19. The Blood King Legacy (2018)
  20. Devil's Island (2019)
  21. The Fabergé Heist (2019)
  22. Four Sacred Treasures (2019)
  23. The Sea Rats (2019)
  24. The Blood King Takedown (2020)
  25. Devil's Junction (2020)
  26. Voodoo Soldiers (2020)
  27. The Carnival of Curiosities (2020)
  28. Theatre of War (2021)
  29. Shattered Spear (2021)
  30. Ghost Squadron (2022)
  31. A Cold Day in Hell (2022)
  32. The Winged Dagger (2022)
  33. Two Minutes to Midnight (2023)
  34. The Devil's Reaper (2023)
  35. The Dark Tsar (2024)
  36. The Hellhound Scrolls (2025)
  37. The Diamond Hunters (2025)

Understanding the Crossovers and Spin-Offs

David Leadbeater has built an interconnected literary universe where characters from different series frequently interact. To get the most out of the story, it helps to know how the companion series fit in alongside Matt Drake’s main adventures.

The Plagues of Pandora: The Ultimate Crossover

The Plagues of Pandora (Book 9) is a monumental crossover event in the Leadbeater universe. It marks the first time that Matt Drake's SPEAR team joins forces with characters from the author's other series, specifically The Disavowed (led by Chris Collins) and Team Gold (led by Alicia Myles). The narrative spans London, Paris, and Los Angeles, weaving together ancient Greek myths and modern bio-terrorism.

Alicia Myles Series

Alicia Myles starts out as a prominent recurring character in the Matt Drake series before branching out into her own archaeological adventures. If you enjoy the historical relic-hunting elements of Matt Drake, her spin-off series—including titles like Aztec Gold, Crusader's Gold, and Caribbean Gold—offers a similar fast-paced thrill and can be read alongside the main series, preferably after you have met her in the early Matt Drake books.

The Disavowed Series

Focusing on black-ops agent Chris Collins, this series leans heavier into military action and political conspiracies. Because characters from The Disavowed cross over with SPEAR, reading this series provides valuable context on the covert ops side of the Leadbeater universe.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into this action-adventure marathon, here are a few practical tips to keep in mind:

  • Keep an Eye on the Author Name: Ensure you are reading the books by British author David Leadbeater. There is another popular thriller series featuring a protagonist named Matt Drake written by American author Don Bentley, which is completely unrelated.
  • Banter and Chemistry: A huge draw of the series is the SPEAR team's dynamic. The banter, humor, and evolving relationships between Matt, Mai, Alicia, and others ground the high-octane action.
  • Fast Pacing: Leadbeater writes in a cinematic, episodic style. The books are designed to be page-turners with short, action-packed chapters, making them ideal for quick, immersive reads.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best order to read the Matt Drake books?

It is highly recommended to read the Matt Drake series in publication order, starting with the first book, The Bones of Odin, because the characters and overarching plotlines develop continuously across the books.

QAre the Matt Drake books standalones?

While each book contains a self-contained archaeological mystery, they are not true standalones. Recurring villains, character growth, and team dynamics carry over directly from one installment to the next.

QWho is Alicia Myles in the Matt Drake series?

Alicia Myles is a key member of the SPEAR team in the early Matt Drake books who later stars in her own spin-off series, starting with Aztec Gold.

QWhat is the relation between Matt Drake and The Disavowed series?

Both series share the same literary universe created by David Leadbeater. The teams frequently cross over, most notably in the crossover event novel The Plagues of Pandora.

QIs David Leadbeater's Matt Drake the same as Don Bentley's character?

No. David Leadbeater's Matt Drake is a British retired SAS officer in archaeological thrillers, whereas Don Bentley's Matt Drake is an American DIA operative in military political thrillers.