Books On Board

Vigilante Books in Order

  • 32 Books
  • 2009 – 2020 Published

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Reading order
2 of 2 reading orders shown

The Best Way to Read the Vigilante Series

Claude Bouchard’s Vigilante series (also frequently referred to as the Barry/McCall series) is a gripping collection of crime thrillers set against the atmospheric backdrop of Montreal, Canada. To get the most out of the evolving relationships between the characters, the expansion of the team, and the escalating stakes, readers are highly encouraged to read the books in publication order. While a prequel novella exists, reading the series as it was published allows you to experience the mysteries and character growth exactly as the author intended.

Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)

Starting with the titular 2009 novel introduces you to the core dynamic between Montreal Lieutenant Dave McCall and tech expert Chris Barry. Follow this path to see the series expand from local detective work into international black-ops style consulting:

  • Vigilante (2009) – The book that started it all. Lieutenant Dave McCall hunts a shadowy killer delivering lethal justice to Montreal's worst criminals and recruits tech specialist Chris Barry to assist.
  • The Consultant (2009) – Focuses heavily on Chris Barry as he gets pulled into clandestine operations and confronts ruthless drug cartels.
  • Mind Games (2009) – A twisted serial killer targets women in Montreal, forcing McCall and Barry into a high-stakes psychological game.
  • The Homeless Killer (2009) – McCall and Barry team up to stop a predator targeting the city's vulnerable street population.
  • 6 Hours 42 Minutes (2011) – A fast-paced race against the clock centered on a daring bank heist.
  • Discreet Activities (2012) – The debut of the official "Discreet Activities" consulting team as they attempt to stop a major terrorist cell.
  • Femme Fatale (2013) – A tense case involving a deadly woman whose actions threaten to dismantle the team.
  • Thirteen to None (2013) – The team goes head-to-head with violent home invasion crews led by Butch Kincaid.
  • The First Sixteen (2014) – A prequel novella outlining the identities and fates of the first sixteen targets who drew the Vigilante's attention.
  • See You in Saigon (2014) – The team goes international, tracking a dangerous survivor of the Vigilante all the way to Vietnam.
  • Sins in the Sun (2015) – Chris Barry’s Caribbean vacation in Puerto Plata turns deadly when a local mobster targets a resort manager.
  • Getting Even (2016) – A story centered on personal vendettas, payback, and settling dangerous accounts.
  • Make it Happen (2017) – The consultants deploy their specialized skill sets to handle a volatile threat.
  • The Nephew (2018) – Personal stakes rise when Chris Barry is contacted by Carlos Garcia, a nephew he didn't know existed, revealing a kidnapping.
  • Nasty in Nice (2018) – Originally a crossover novella, this story follows the characters to the French Riviera where international assassins await.
  • The Paradise Piracy (2020) – Chris Barry and his associates find themselves trapped on a luxury mega-yacht hijacked by modern pirates at sea.

Option 2: Chronological Reading Order

If you prefer to follow the timeline of the universe from the very beginning, you can start with the prequel novella. This setup explains the origins of the Vigilante before the police investigation begins:

  1. The First Sixteen (Book 9 by publication, but chronologically Book 0.5)
  2. Vigilante (Book 1)
  3. The Consultant (Book 2)
  4. Mind Games (Book 3)
  5. The Homeless Killer (Book 4)
  6. 6 Hours 42 Minutes (Book 5)
  7. Discreet Activities (Book 6)
  8. Femme Fatale (Book 7)
  9. Thirteen to None (Book 8)
  10. See You in Saigon (Book 10)
  11. Sins in the Sun (Book 11)
  12. Getting Even (Book 12)
  13. Make it Happen (Book 13)
  14. The Nephew (Book 14)
  15. Nasty in Nice (Book 15)
  16. The Paradise Piracy (Book 16)

What to Know Before You Start

The series begins as a standard gritty police procedural and crime thriller set in Montreal. However, the scope changes starting with The Consultant and solidifies in Discreet Activities (Book 6). At this point, the narrative transitions to focus on the "Discreet Activities" team, a private consultancy group led by Jonathan Addley. This shift expands the series from local detective cases into international thrillers featuring cyber-security, espionage, counter-terrorism, and high-seas piracy.

Additionally, Nasty in Nice was originally conceived as a crossover novella in the Kindle Worlds program, bridging characters from Bouchard's universe with the Jet action-thriller series created by author Russell Blake. It can be read as a fun, action-packed side adventure that highlights the team's international reach.

Frequently Asked

What is the recommended starting book for the Vigilante series?

It is best to start with the first novel, Vigilante (2009). While the prequel novella The First Sixteen takes place chronologically earlier, starting with the original novel preserves the mystery surrounding the Vigilante's identity and introduces the partnership of Dave McCall and Chris Barry perfectly.

Are the Vigilante books standalones or do they need to be read in order?

While individual cases are solved in each book, the series features strong character arcs, changing team dynamics, and recurring villains. Reading them in order is highly recommended to follow the growth of Chris Barry and the transition to the Discreet Activities team.

What is the role of 'The First Sixteen' in the reading order?

The First Sixteen is a prequel novella published in 2014. It acts as Book 0.5, detailing the backstories of the first sixteen victims targeted by the Vigilante before the events of the first book. It can be read first for chronological order, or after Book 8 to fill in origin details.

Is 'Nasty in Nice' a spin-off or a main series entry?

Nasty in Nice is a crossover thriller novella originally set in Russell Blake’s Jet Kindle World. It features Bouchard's recurring characters and is officially considered Book 15 in the sequence, offering a fast-paced international detour.

Where is the Vigilante series set?

The core of the series is set in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, utilizing real neighborhoods, landmarks, and local atmosphere. As the series progresses, the characters travel to international locations such as Vietnam, Nice, and the Caribbean.