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Rex Dalton Books in Order

12 Books
2018 – 2020 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Rex Dalton Reading Path

For the best reading experience, you should read the Rex Dalton K9 Thriller series in its publication order. Because the books follow a continuous character arc for Rex Dalton, his romantic interests, and his loyal military-trained Dutch Shepherd, Digger, jumping around the series will spoil key personal developments, betrayals, and character deaths.

While some platforms list the prequel The Fulcrum as "Book 0" and The Power of Three as "Book 1," you should absolutely start with The Fulcrum. It provides the crucial backstory of how a peaceful scholar's life was shattered by a 2004 terrorist bombing, transforming him into a lethal black-ops assassin. Starting anywhere else means missing the emotional foundation of Rex's entire crusade.

Rex Dalton Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete chronological list of the main novels and novellas in the Rex Dalton series, reflecting the order in which J.C. Ryan wrote and published them:

  1. The Fulcrum (2018) – The origin story establishing Rex's tragic past and his entry into the black-ops world.
  2. The Power of Three (2018) – Rex's mission in Afghanistan where he first teams up with Digger, the Dutch Shepherd, following the death of Digger's original handler.
  3. Unchained (2018) – Rex embarks on a rescue mission to save a woman sold into captivity.
  4. Sideswiped (2018) – Rex faces unexpected threats and hidden conspiracies in this fast-paced thriller.
  5. The Inca Con (2019) – Rex's archaeological trip to Peru turns deadly when he uncovers a massive scam.
  6. No Doubt (2019) – A shorter, fast-paced novella offering key transition details.
  7. The French Girl (2019) – Rex is drawn into a complex web of European espionage and romance.
  8. Duty of Care (2019) – Rex is forced to choose between his personal desires and his duty to protect the innocent.
  9. Donna Teresa (2019) – An Italian setting brings old vendettas and high stakes back to the surface.
  10. Under the Pope's Windows (2020) – Rex and Digger navigate a conspiracy unfolding right in the heart of Rome.
  11. The Shanghai Strain (2020) – A biological conspiracy that takes Rex into the deadly world of modern viral threats.
  12. The Delphi Technique (2020) – Set in Greece, Rex and Catia must stop a terrorist mastermind.
  13. Holes in the Wall (2025) – Rex and Digger return to uncover hidden intelligence leaks.
  14. The Abyss (2025) – The direct sequel to Holes in the Wall, plunging Rex into deeper geopolitical dangers.
  15. Unearthed (2025) – A high-stakes hunt for buried secrets that various intelligence agencies want kept hidden.
  16. Remorseless (2025) – Rex undertakes a deeply personal mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter from a human trafficking ring.
  17. The Message (2025) – The latest installment involving a mysterious signal and global security threats.

Chronological Order and Continuity Caveats

While the publication order is the cleanest path, there are minor timeline details readers should keep in mind. The Fulcrum acts as an extended prologue that spans several years, starting with the tragic terrorist attack in 2004 and following Rex's transition into the CIA's shadow programs. The subsequent books, starting with The Power of Three, run in a tighter, serialized timeline where Rex and Digger travel the world together.

Some readers might notice variations in book numbering online. For example, the novella No Doubt is sometimes excluded from main series counts or numbered as Book 6.5. However, J.C. Ryan's official numbering counts it as a core part of the sequence. To avoid missing any transitions, treat every release, including novellas, as mandatory reading.

What to Know Before You Start

J.C. Ryan's military, legal, and IT background shines through in the meticulous technical details and geopolitical realism of the series. If you enjoy the tactical precision of Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp or the nomadic justice of Lee Child's Jack Reacher, you will feel right at home here. The addition of Digger, a highly intelligent Dutch Shepherd, adds a unique K9 tactical element and an emotional anchor that distinguishes these books from standard lone-wolf assassin thrillers.

While J.C. Ryan has written other successful series, such as the Rossler Foundation Mysteries and the Carter Devereux series, they are standalone and do not require prior reading to enjoy the Rex Dalton series.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for the Rex Dalton series?

You should start with the prequel, The Fulcrum (2018). It explains the tragic backstory of how Rex lost his family and became a black-ops assassin.

QWhere does Digger first appear in the books?

Digger, the Dutch Shepherd, is introduced in the second book, The Power of Three (2018), where he joins Rex following a betrayal in Afghanistan.

QAre the Rex Dalton books standalone or continuous?

While each book features a self-contained mission, they contain a continuous story arc tracking Rex's personal life, allies, and recurring enemies. Reading them in publication order is highly recommended.

QDo I need to read J.C. Ryan's Rossler Foundation series first?

No. The Rossler Foundation Mysteries and Carter Devereux books are separate series and do not feature Rex Dalton or affect his storyline.

QHow many books are in the Rex Dalton K9 Thriller series?

As of late 2025, there are 17 books in the main series, starting with The Fulcrum and ending with The Message.