Allen Manning Books in Order

Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path

If you are new to the action-packed worlds created by Allen Manning and his twin brother Brian Manning, the absolute best place to start is with the John Stone Action Thriller Series. This is the authors' flagship franchise and serves as the beating heart of their shared universe (often referred to by fans and the authors as the "Hard Core Universe").

To get the full experience of John Stone's journey from a retired Army Ranger to a relentless vigilante fighting global conspiracies, you should start with the very first book, The Hard Kill (2017). This novel establishes Stone's background, his tight-knit network of allies, and the emotional stakes that drive his missions. Reading the series in publication order is highly recommended, as the overarching plot involving the mysterious "Project: Guardian" and the evolution of Stone's team build directly from one book to the next.

Publication Order of the John Stone Books

The John Stone series is designed to feel like a multi-season television show or a blockbusting action movie franchise. Follow this order to watch the narrative unfold as the authors intended:

• The Hard Kill (2017) – John Stone's retired life in Montana is shattered when his goddaughter is kidnapped, forcing him back into action to dismantle a mercenary network.
• Divide and Conquer (2018) – Stone tracks down a mercenary unit linked to a shadowy military development project.
• Fractured Allegiance (2018) – Framed for terrorism, Stone must go on the run to clear his name and expose a conspiracy at the highest levels.
• Head of the Serpent (2018) – The hunt leads Stone's team directly to the masterminds pulling the strings.
• The Hard Core (2018) – A pivotal entry where Stone's elite group of allies faces their most personal threat yet.
• Danger Close (2019) – The action intensifies as the group deals with regional threats that hit too close to home.
• New World Order (2019) – A globetrotting mission that raises the stakes to a geopolitical level.
• Black and White (2019) – A crossover-heavy volume that brings in key figures from the broader Manning universe.
• The Alpha and the Omega (2020) – The dramatic conclusion to the primary John Stone narrative arc.

Chronological Caveats & The Hard Core Universe Connections

The Manning brothers have built an interconnected web of thrillers that go beyond just John Stone. For readers who want to experience the complete shared universe, there are several key spin-offs and companion series to keep on your radar:

The Hard Core Origins

Parallel to the release of the early John Stone books, the authors released two origin novellas focusing on core members of Stone's network. These function as excellent character background stories and should ideally be read right after The Hard Kill or Divide and Conquer:

• Chance Hunter: Hunter Killer (2017) – Focuses on the background and lethal skills of Stone's ally Chance Hunter.
• Ty Octane: Terminal Velocity (2017) – Explores the high-speed, high-stakes origin of Ty Octane.

The Scott Maverick Thriller Series

This series steps back into a 1980s Miami setting, channeling classic buddy-cop energy. It stars Metro-Dade Homicide Detective Scott Maverick. While it operates with its own distinct vintage aesthetic, it is firmly set in the same shared universe. In fact, Scott Maverick makes a notable crossover appearance in John Stone Book 8, Black and White. To appreciate this connection, you can read the Maverick books either as prequels before starting John Stone, or right before diving into Black and White:

• Miami Winter (2017)
• Nuclear Winter (2021)

The Daniel Lee Action Thriller Series

For a fresh jumping-on point that represents the authors' newer writing era, look no further than the Daniel Lee Series, which began publication in 2023. These books follow Daniel Lee on high-stakes vigilante missions. While they carry the same cinematic pacing and sharp dialogue as the John Stone books, they focus on a new protagonist dealing with localized corruption and criminal syndicates. They should be read in their own chronological order:

1. Unchecked Vengeance (2023)
2. Family Ties (2023)
3. Red Light (2023)
4. Green Light (2023)
5. Evading Tomorrow (2023)

The Two Percent Power Series (Superhero Thrillers)

Before establishing their gritty military-style thriller universe, the Manning brothers co-authored a sci-fi/superhero trilogy called Two Percent Power. This series stands completely separate from the John Stone and Daniel Lee books, taking place in a world where a small fraction of the population possesses extraordinary abilities. It is a fun, action-heavy diversion that should be read in order:

1. Delivering Justice (2013)
2. Spilled Milk (2016)
3. Expiration Date (2019)

Reader Note: Be careful not to confuse the Manning brothers' superhero story "Spilled Milk" with the popular, unrelated child-abuse memoir of the same name by author K.L. Randis.

What to Know Before You Start

The Manning brothers pride themselves on writing "clean" thrillers. Unlike many modern gritty action books, their stories avoid gratuitous graphic content, focusing instead on pure adrenaline, loyalty, brotherhood, and cinematic tactical action. The authors' style is deeply influenced by their childhood love of video games, professional wrestling, and '80s action films, meaning you can expect fast pacing, snappy one-liners, and continuous momentum from the very first page.