Pastor Stephen Grant Books in Order

How to Read the Pastor Stephen Grant Books in Order

Ray Keating’s series blends the grit of a classic espionage thriller with thoughtful explorations of Christian faith and morality. To get the full experience of Stephen Grant’s transition from a lethal government operative to a Lutheran pastor, readers should follow the books in order of publication. This ensures that the personal relationships, character development, and lingering threads from Stephen’s past unfold in the way the author intended.

Here is the complete list of the Pastor Stephen Grant books in their recommended reading order:

1. Warrior Monk (2010) – The debut novel that introduces Stephen Grant, a former CIA operative trying to live a quiet life as a pastor. His past resurfaces when a historic proposal from the Pope puts him in the crosshairs of global danger.
2. Root of All Evil? (2012) – While on his honeymoon, Grant’s trip turns deadly as he is drawn into a high-stakes conspiracy linking politics, money, and murder.
3. An Advent for Religious Liberty (2012) – A seasonal novella that places Grant in the middle of a battle over religious freedom, blending holiday themes with thriller elements.
4. The River (2014) – A deeply personal entry where Grant must use his old tactical training to rescue his kidnapped wife, confronting the thin line between justice and revenge.
5. Murderer's Row (2015) – Mixing Keating’s love of baseball with international intrigue, this entry centers on a plot involving domestic terrorism, sports culture, and a string of murders.
6. Wine Into Water (2016) – Grant investigates a mystery within the boutique wine industry that quickly escalates into a dangerous conspiracy.
7. Lionhearts (2017) – A globe-trotting thriller where Grant faces off against modern terrorists, testing both his tactical limits and his pastoral commitment to peace.
8. Reagan Country (2018) – Set against the backdrop of political legacy and memory, this novel explores national security threats tied to a symbolic pilgrimage.
9. Heroes & Villains (2018) – Stephen is forced to confront the moral ambiguity of his past life as the boundaries between the 'good guys' and 'bad guys' blur.
10. Shifting Sands (2018) – A short story that acts as a bridge between major novels, showcasing a quick, self-contained mystery in Stephen's life.
11. Deep Rough (2019) – Set on the golf course, this thriller involves sports, local politics, and hidden dangers that Grant must navigate.
12. The Traitor (2019) – A high-stakes espionage thriller that dives deep into the intelligence network, forcing Grant to root out a double agent.
13. Vatican Shadows (2020) – Stephen returns to the international stage and Vatican politics, dealing with historic secrets and modern-day threats to the papacy.
14. Past Lives (2021) – A novella focusing on the echoes of Stephen's pre-clerical career and the old associates who refuse to let him go.
15. What's Lost? (2021) – A mystery focusing on personal tragedy, recovery, and what happens when local crimes intersect with national intelligence.
16. Persecution (2022) – A heavy hitting entry dealing with modern religious persecution, global politics, and the personal cost of standing up for faith.
17. Under the Golden Dome (2023) – Stephen and his wife attend a conference at the University of Notre Dame, only to get caught up in a dangerous clash between church and state interests.
18. For Better, For Worse (2023) – A novella where Stephen travels to the West Coast to officiate a wedding, only for his past to disrupt the celebrations.
19. Christmas Bells at St. Mary's (2023) – A holiday-themed novella in which Stephen uses his tactical and investigative skills to solve a shocking double murder in his parish community.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For the Pastor Stephen Grant series, publication order and chronological order are virtually identical. The story moves forward in real-time, matching the years in which the books were published. Even the shorter works and novellas, such as An Advent for Religious Liberty and Christmas Bells at St. Mary's, take place during the seasons of the years they were released.

Chronological Caveats and Short Stories

While you can read the main novels straight through, the novellas add significant texture to Stephen's parish life at St. Mary's Lutheran Church. Reading them in their exact publication slot helps contextualize the character's domestic life and pastoral duties between his major international missions. The only minor exception is the upcoming work The Last Judgment, which the author has been working on as a future installment.

Where to Start and Reader Advice

The absolute best place to start is with the first novel, Warrior Monk. It establishes Stephen's background as a Navy SEAL and CIA assassin, explains why he chose the ministry, and introduces his core supporting cast. While the author writes each book to be relatively self-contained, starting midway through means you will miss the gradual evolution of Stephen's family life and the recurring appearances of his CIA contacts.

If you prefer a shorter trial run before committing to the full series, An Advent for Religious Liberty offers a quick look at the series' tone, though it leans heavier on theological and political discourse than the action-heavy main novels.

What to Know Before You Start

Ray Keating, an economist and columnist by trade, created this series to fill a perceived gap in Christian fiction, which he felt was dominated by romance and supernatural themes. Keating wanted an intelligent, gritty thriller in the vein of Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum, but with a protagonist who actively wrestles with theology, grace, and the ethics of lethal force. As a result, the books contain genuine discussions of Lutheran theology alongside intense action scenes. The tone remains friendly and accessible, making it a favorite for readers who enjoy clean yet realistic spy thrillers.