The Recommended Titus Ray Reading Order
For the most satisfying reading experience, we recommend following a hybrid order. While the prequel, One Step Back, takes place chronologically before the events of the first book, starting with One Night in Tehran is highly recommended. Beginning with the first published book allows you to experience Titus's dramatic spiritual awakening and introduction to faith alongside the core plot, whereas the prequel is best enjoyed as a flashback once you are already invested in the character.
Furthermore, the Ben Mitchell spin-off books are written from Titus's perspective as he mentors his protégé. These are best integrated directly into the main sequence where they occur in the timeline. Here is the recommended path:
- One Night in Tehran (Book 1)
- Two Days in Caracas (Book 2)
- Three Weeks in Washington (Book 3)
- Four Months in Cuba (Book 4)
- One Step Back (Prequel – read as a flashback here)
- Five Years in Yemen (Book 5)
- Two Steps Forward (Book 6)
- Ben in Love (Ben Mitchell Book 1 – read after Book 6)
- Three Steps Away (Book 7)
- Ben in Charge (Ben Mitchell Book 2 – read after Book 7)
- Four Steps Missed (Book 8)
- Ben in Trouble (Ben Mitchell Book 3 – read after Book 8)
- Five Steps Beyond (Book 9)
- One Good Time (Book 10)
- Two Good Deeds (Book 11)
Titus Ray Publication Order
If you prefer to follow the books exactly as the author released them, you will read the prequel later in the run and pick up the spin-off novels as separate trilogies. The publication order is as follows:
- One Night in Tehran (2014)
- Two Days in Caracas (2015)
- Three Weeks in Washington (2016)
- Four Months in Cuba (2017)
- One Step Back (2018)
- Five Years in Yemen (2018)
- Two Steps Forward (2019)
- Three Steps Away (2020)
- Four Steps Missed (2021)
- Five Steps Beyond (2023)
- One Good Time (2024)
- Two Good Deeds (2025)
The Ben Mitchell Spin-Off Series
The Ben Mitchell / Titus Ray Thriller series is a dedicated three-book spin-off focusing on Ben Mitchell, Titus Ray's younger protégé. While these books are narrated by Titus himself and feature many recurring characters, they place Ben at the center of the action and focus on his personal and professional development. They were published as follows:
- Ben in Love (2020)
- Ben in Charge (2021)
- Ben in Trouble (2022)
What to Know Before You Start
Luana Ehrlich’s thrillers are famous in the Christian fiction community for delivering realistic, grit-tinged espionage stories without graphic violence, strong language, or explicit romance. Instead, the focus is on intellectual mystery, high-stakes tradecraft, and Titus Ray’s internal struggles as a new believer adjusting to a faith-driven lifestyle after years of living in the shadows.
For a fun companion piece, readers can also look for Titus Ray Thriller Recipes with Short Stories (2016). Titus is known for his love of cooking in safe houses, and this bonus book compiles his favorite meals—like his signature chili—paired with short vignettes that flesh out his character between missions.