How to Read Adrian d’Hage’s Novels
Adrian d’Hage’s thrillers are masterclasses in blending ancient historical mysteries with modern, pulse-pounding geopolitical intrigue. Because his books feature recurring characters and a continuous timeline, the best way to read his novels is in publication order. This allows you to experience the overarching character development, particularly the evolving partnership and romance between CIA agent Curtis O’Connor and archaeologist Dr. Aleta Weizman, as well as the escalating global stakes.
While his debut novel stands alone, the subsequent books form a cohesive, thrilling series. Below, we break down the two main paths to navigating d’Hage’s bibliography.
Recommended Reading Path 1: The Curtis O’Connor & Aleta Weizman Series
This is the author's primary series. It follows Curtis O’Connor, a dedicated CIA field operative, as he teams up with brilliant archaeologist Dr. Aleta Weizman to stop catastrophic global threats, biological warfare, and rogue military conspiracies. Reading these in order is highly recommended to appreciate the depth of their partnership.
- The Beijing Conspiracy (2007) – This is the official starting point of the Curtis O’Connor series. O'Connor is tasked with investigating a terrifying biological weapon: a highly lethal, genetically engineered virus. The trail leads him into a web of rogue military leaders and global espionage, setting the tone for the high stakes of the series.
- The Maya Codex (2010) – In this second installment, Curtis O’Connor joins forces with archaeologist Dr. Aleta Weizman. The plot centers on a codex hidden in the Mayan ruins of Guatemala that contains a warning about a looming global catastrophe. As they race to decipher it, they must also stop a deadly pathogen from being unleashed.
- The Inca Prophecy (2012) – (Also known simply as Inca Prophecy). This adventure takes O’Connor and Weizman from the deep Amazon rainforest of Peru to the Vatican. They search for an ancient Incan relic that holds both a miraculous cure and a recipe for devastation, facing corporate greed and biological hazards.
- The Alexandria Connection (2014) – The duo returns to investigate a conspiracy linked to the ancient Library of Alexandria. A shadowy elite group plans to destabilize the global financial system, forcing Curtis and Aleta to navigate Egyptian archaeological mysteries and modern cyber-espionage.
- The Russian Affair (2018) – The final entry in the series pits Curtis O’Connor against a multi-sided nuclear threat. The story moves between St. Petersburg, the secret nuclear city of Sarov, and Los Alamos, involving the Russian president, a brilliant double-agent scientist, and ISIS militants seeking weapons of mass destruction.
Recommended Reading Path 2: Starting from the Debut
If you prefer to read every work Adrian d’Hage has published in the exact order they hit shelves, start with his debut. This path places his standalone Vatican thriller at the beginning before moving into the Curtis O’Connor series.
- The Omega Scroll (2005) – Adrian d’Hage’s debut novel. Although it shares the same high-stakes geopolitical thriller style, it features a different cast, including DNA archaeologist Dr. Allegra Bassetti and CIA agent Mike McKinnon. The plot revolves around a Dead Sea Scroll fragment containing a warning that powerful factions in the Vatican will stop at nothing to suppress.
- The Beijing Conspiracy (2007)
- The Maya Codex (2010)
- The Inca Prophecy (2012)
- The Alexandria Connection (2014)
- The Russian Affair (2018)
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Fortunately, Adrian d’Hage’s novels do not feature complex time jumps, prequels, or flashbacks. The chronological timeline of the stories matches their publication years exactly. Real-world technological advancements, historical events, and geopolitical shifts (such as the rise of ISIS and modern cyber-threats) progress naturally from one book to the next. Therefore, sticking to the publication order is the most logical and satisfying way to read his work.
What to Know Before You Start
What sets Adrian d’Hage apart from other thriller writers is his authentic background. As a decorated former Australian Army Brigadier who served in Vietnam and directed counter-terrorism planning for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, d’Hage writes military and intelligence operations with exceptional realism. Additionally, his academic credentials—including degrees in theology and a PhD in international relations—lend profound depth to the theological debates, ancient prophecies, and geopolitical conflicts featured in his plots. Expect a rich mixture of religious history, cutting-edge science (like biochemistry and nuclear physics), and military tactical realism.