How to Read the Nathan Hawk Mystery Series in Order
For the best reading experience, the Nathan Hawk Mystery series should be read in publication order. Reading the series chronologically matches the order in which the books were published. This allows readers to properly follow Nathan's personal growth, his struggles with anger management, his evolving relationship with Dr. Laura Peterson, and the stories of his four grown children.
Nathan Hawk Books in Recommended Reading Order
- Haggard Hawk (2013)
- Easy Prey (2013)
- Scattered Remains (2013)
- Evil Turn (2015)
- Jericho Road (2017)
- White Crane (2022)
An Overview of the Nathan Hawk Investigations
The series, written by veteran British screenwriter Douglas Watkinson, brings a cinematic quality and classic whodunit suspense to every case. Here is a breakdown of what to expect in each book:
1. Haggard Hawk (2013)
In the debut novel, we meet Nathan Hawk, a veteran police officer forced into early retirement due to his legendary short temper. Struggling to adjust to civilian life, Hawk's sleuthing instincts kick in when his neighbor is murdered. Operating without authority and frequently clashing with the local police, Hawk uncovers dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of the quiet English countryside.
2. Easy Prey (2013)
Hawk's second case takes him away from his usual territory to Scotland's remote Outer Hebrides. Hired by a barrister to locate a missing daughter, Hawk finds himself in a hostile environment where revenge and old grudges run deep. The stakes become deeply personal when his own daughter briefly disappears, pushing Hawk's temper to its limits.
3. Scattered Remains (2013)
A bizarre discovery sparks Hawk's third investigation: a titanium surgical plate is found among the ashes of a cremated body. Hawk begins tracking the origin of the plate, uncovering a high-level medical cover-up that puts his life and the lives of those close to him in immediate danger.
4. Evil Turn (2015)
When an old police colleague asks Hawk to shelter a witness before a high-profile trial, Hawk reluctantly agrees. He soon discovers the situation is far more dangerous than he was led to believe, finding himself caught between a multi-million-pound heroin deal, a suspicious murder charge, and threat of violence from the IRA.
5. Jericho Road (2017)
What starts as a seemingly simple investigation to retrieve a stolen gold pocket watch—reputedly once owned by Heinrich Himmler—quickly escalates. When the prime suspect is found murdered, Hawk's search for the truth leads him from the quiet lanes of rural Oxfordshire into a dangerous human trafficking operation.
6. White Crane (2022)
The sixth novel follows Hawk as he investigates the sudden disappearance of a Chinese house guest. The investigation opens up a web of international secrets, proving that even in Hawk's quiet corner of the world, danger is never far away.
About the Author: Douglas Watkinson
Douglas Watkinson is a highly accomplished British screenwriter, novelist, and playwright. Mystery fans will likely recognize his style; he has written several memorable episodes of Midsomer Murders (including classics like 'Faithful unto Death' and 'Death in Disguise'), Agatha Christie's Poirot, and the classic drama Lovejoy. His screenwriting background is evident in the sharp dialogue, fast-paced plotting, and visual storytelling of the Nathan Hawk novels.