Nathan McBride Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

To get the most out of Andrew Peterson's Nathan McBride series, you should read the books in publication order. Because the narrative timeline moves forward chronologically and Nathan’s personal arc—especially his recovery from trauma, evolving relationship with FBI agent Holly Simpson, and partnership with Harvey "Harv" Fontana—builds from one book to the next, reading them out of order will spoil major character developments.

Here is the recommended reading path for the series:

1. First to Kill (2008)
2. Forced to Kill (2009)
3. Option to Kill (2012)
4. Ready to Kill (2014)
5. Contract to Kill (2015)
6. Right to Kill (2016)
7. Hired to Kill (2018)

Nathan McBride Books: Detailed Guide

Let's dive into the details of each thriller in the series to understand what Nathan faces in each high-stakes entry.

1. First to Kill (2008)

The series begins with First to Kill. We are introduced to Nathan McBride, a former Marine Corps scout sniper and CIA covert operations specialist. Ten years after a disastrous mission in Nicaragua that ended his government career and left him physically and emotionally scarred, Nathan is working in the private security sector. He is pulled back into the fray by former FBI director Frank Ortega to find Ortega's missing deep-cover grandson and locate a stolen shipment of highly volatile Semtex explosives. This book sets the stage for Nathan’s lethal capabilities and introduces his loyal partner, Harvey "Harv" Fontana.

2. Forced to Kill (2009)

In the second installment, Forced to Kill, the past catches up to Nathan in the most brutal way possible. A mutilated body discovered in Utah points directly to Montez de Oca, the sadistic Nicaraguan interrogator who tortured Nathan years ago. Nathan must confront his deepest psychological trauma to stop this recurring monster. The stakes become incredibly personal as de Oca begins targeting and kidnapping innocent families, forcing Nathan to unleash a dark, ruthless side of himself to protect the people he loves.

3. Option to Kill (2012)

The third novel, Option to Kill, shifts the dynamic by introducing a vulnerable element to Nathan’s high-stakes world. When a friend is murdered and his twelve-year-old daughter—who is enrolled in the Witness Security Program—becomes a target, Nathan is tasked with protecting her. Navigating the challenges of keeping a young girl safe while actively fighting off highly trained killers tests Nathan's compassion and adaptability, highlighting that he is more than just a lethal weapon.

4. Ready to Kill (2014)

In Ready to Kill, CIA Director Rebecca Cantrell contacts Nathan and Harv after a cryptic note referencing a highly classified, decades-old U.S. military operation is discovered at the American embassy in Nicaragua. This mission sends Nathan right back into the Central American jungle where his original trauma occurred. There, he has to face off against a deadly rogue sniper—who happens to be a former student Nathan himself trained. Confronting his past and his own legacy as a mentor makes this one of the most intense entries in the series.

5. Contract to Kill (2015)

The plot of Contract to Kill begins when Toby Haynes, a close friend of Nathan’s, witnesses a double murder and suspects that his boss, Tanner Mason, is the killer. Mason is the security director for a massive, powerful private military contractor. When Nathan and Harv launch a covert investigation to protect Haynes, they uncover a shadowy, highly illegal border operation reaching deep into political offices. To survive, they must navigate a web of corruption that threatens to trigger a secret border war.

6. Right to Kill (2016)

In Right to Kill, the action ramps up when a team of heavily armed commandos attempts to kidnap Linda Genneken, a retired CIA station chief. Nathan and Harv step in to protect her and investigate the perpetrators. The investigation reveals a global criminal conspiracy tied to a rescue mission in South America that occurred years before. The chase takes them across borders and forces Nathan to rely on every tactical skill in his arsenal.

7. Hired to Kill (2018)

The seventh book, Hired to Kill, deals with a massive threat on home soil. Coordinated terrorist attacks strike both San Diego and Washington, D.C. Nathan quickly realizes that these events are not random acts of terror; they are part of a targeted vendetta against his own family. The conspiracy leads Nathan and Harv to a biological weapons facility in North Korea and an active training camp in Mexico. Nathan must pull out all the stops to prevent a global catastrophe and save his family.

Key Themes and Character Dynamics

At the center of Andrew Peterson's thrillers is the complex psychology of Nathan McBride. Nathan is not a flawless superhero; he is a man heavily scarred—both literally and figuratively—by his past. A key element of his character is the internal battle with what he calls "the Other," a ruthless, darker persona that emerges during high-pressure combat situations. This struggle with post-traumatic stress and the moral boundaries of violence gives the series a unique psychological depth.

Nathan's relationships are crucial to keeping him grounded. His partner and best friend, Harvey "Harv" Fontana, provides essential backup, tactical intelligence, and a sense of shared history from their Marine Corps days. Their witty banter and absolute trust form the emotional backbone of the books. Additionally, Nathan’s romance with FBI agent Holly Simpson and his complicated, strained relationship with his father, a prominent U.S. senator, add domestic stakes and depth to his character arc.

What to Know Before You Start

If you are planning to dive into the Nathan McBride books, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• For Fans of Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne: The series features the same kind of highly detailed tactical action, firearms expertise, and competent protagonist as Lee Child's or Robert Ludlum's classic thrillers.
• A Distinguishing Scar: Nathan bears a prominent, physical "N" scarred onto his face from his torture in Nicaragua, which serves as a constant visual reminder of his history.
• Author Authenticity: Andrew Peterson is an accomplished marksman, helicopter pilot, and scuba diver. His real-world knowledge of firearms and tactical maneuvers shines through in the gritty realism of the action scenes.
• Writing Hiatus: Since the release of Hired to Kill in 2018, Andrew Peterson has been on a writing hiatus. While fans hope for an eighth book, the seven existing novels tell a satisfying, complete character journey.
• Author Identity Note: Be careful not to confuse the thriller author Andrew Peterson with the popular Christian singer-songwriter and fantasy author of the same name who wrote The Wingfeather Saga. They are two entirely different creators!