How to Read the Phil Broker Books
For readers diving into the action-packed world of Phil Broker—a former Minnesota police officer, ex-soldier, and retired undercover agent—there are two primary ways to approach the series. You can read the books in the order they were published, or follow the chronological timeline of Broker's life. We highly recommend starting with the Publication Order.
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)
Starting with the first published novel allows you to experience the characters and their relationships as Chuck Logan originally developed them. You'll watch Phil's relationship with former Delta Force operative Nina Pryce grow from their first meeting into a complex marriage, and see their daughter Kit grow up.
- The Price of Blood (1997)
- The Big Law (1998)
- Absolute Zero (2002)
- Vapor Trail (2003)
- After the Rain (2004)
- Homefront (2005)
- Broker (2017)
Option 2: Chronological Order
If you prefer to follow Phil Broker's timeline from his very first undercover assignment, you should start with the prequel novel published in 2017, which takes you back to 1979.
- Broker (2017) — Set in 1979, serving as a prequel.
- The Price of Blood (1997)
- The Big Law (1998)
- Absolute Zero (2002)
- Vapor Trail (2003)
- After the Rain (2004)
- Homefront (2005)
Standalone Roots: The Harry Griffin Connection
Before launching the Phil Broker series, Chuck Logan published his debut thriller, Hunter's Moon (1996). The novel stars Harry Griffin, a Vietnam veteran navigating a tragedy in the remote woods of Minnesota. While not a Phil Broker novel, it takes place in the same gritty universe. Harry Griffin later becomes a recurring supporting character in the Broker series. Most notably, in the novel Homefront, it is Harry who owns the remote cabin where Phil and his family seek refuge. If you want a complete look at Logan's shared universe, starting with Hunter's Moon is a fantastic option.
Book-by-Book Breakdown
Here is what you need to know about each book in the series to guide your journey:
1. The Price of Blood (1997)
The book that started it all. Phil Broker is a retired cop and Vietnam veteran trying to live a quiet life. He teams up with Nina Pryce, an active-duty military officer, to investigate a mystery involving a massive fortune left behind during the Vietnam War. This book establishes their chemistry and sets the high-stakes tone for the rest of the series.
2. The Big Law (1998)
When Phil's ex-wife Caren is murdered after trying to expose her corrupt cop husband's ties to the Chicago mob, Phil goes on the hunt. The main culprit has vanished into the Witness Protection Program (the titular "Big Law"), forcing Broker to navigate federal systems and dangerous hitmen to find justice.
3. Absolute Zero (2002)
Set during a brutal Minnesota winter, a canoeing trip turns deadly when a blizzard hits. When a close friend is left in a coma under suspicious circumstances, Broker suspects foul play. He must survive both the elements and a conspiracy orchestrated by a dangerous group of local players.
4. Vapor Trail (2003)
During a stifling heat wave in Stillwater, Minnesota, a vigilante killer known as "The Saint" appears to have returned when a priest is found murdered. Broker is dragged into the case, only to find himself set up as a scapegoat in a web of police corruption.
5. After the Rain (2004)
Broker travels to Langdon, North Dakota, to aid his estranged wife Nina Pryce. Nina is deep undercover, attempting to infiltrate a smuggling operation with ties to international terrorism. Broker must balance his personal devotion to Nina with a race to prevent a devastating regional plot.
6. Homefront (2005)
Seeking a peaceful environment for Nina to recover from severe physical and emotional trauma, the family moves to a small Minnesota town. However, when their daughter Kit defends herself against a school bully, it triggers a feud with a local meth-cooking family and a vengeful outlaw motorcycle gang.
7. Broker (2017)
This prequel rewinds the clock to 1979. A young, fearless, and deeply flawed Phil Broker takes a high-risk undercover assignment for the state crime bureau, dealing with international contraband and the lethal realities of the criminal underworld.
Page to Screen: The Homefront Movie Adaptation
In 2013, Sylvester Stallone adapted Homefront into an action film starring Jason Statham as Phil Broker. While the film captured the high-octane confrontation of the novel, it made several major changes that book readers should keep in mind:
- Setting: The book takes place in the icy, isolated landscape of Minnesota, while the movie shifts the setting to the humid bayous of Louisiana.
- Nina Pryce: In the book, Nina is alive and recovering from military trauma. In the film, she is deceased before the story begins, leaving Broker as a widowed single father.
- Harry Griffin: The recurring book character who provides the cabin and support for the Broker family is completely omitted from the film adaptation.