The Recommended Reading Path
If you are diving into Andrew Turpin's world of espionage, history, and international conspiracies, the best place to start is with his debut novel, The Last Nazi. This book introduces Joe Johnson, the former CIA officer and U.S. Nazi hunter who serves as the anchor for Turpin's thriller universe. Because the characters and their personal histories develop significantly across the books, reading in publication order is highly recommended.
However, Turpin's universe is unique because it features two distinct series that exist within the exact same universe and frequently cross over: the Joe Johnson Thriller series and the Jayne Robinson Thriller series. Jayne Robinson, a former MI6 operative who performs freelance work for the CIA, is introduced as a key character in the Joe Johnson series before launching into her own self-titled spin-off. To get the absolute most out of the overarching character arcs and the romantic tension between Joe and Jayne, we recommend reading the Joe Johnson books first, followed by the Jayne Robinson books, or alternating them as they were published.
Joe Johnson Series: Publication Order
The Joe Johnson series is a gripping blend of historical investigation and modern espionage. Johnson travels the globe to investigate war crimes and modern cover-ups that stem from historical conflicts, particularly World War II, the Cold War, and the Soviet era. Here is the publication order for the Joe Johnson books:
- The Last Nazi (2017) – Joe Johnson is hired to investigate a wealthy British businessman with a hidden Nazi past, leading to a search for a missing train filled with looted gold.
- The Old Bridge (2018) – Set against the backdrop of the Yugoslav Wars, Johnson investigates a war crime in Mostar that connects to a modern political conspiracy.
- Bandit Country (2018) – The investigation shifts to Northern Ireland and the Troubles, where Johnson must track down a killer from a decades-old conflict.
- The Afghan (2019) – A prequel novella that explores Joe Johnson's past operations and his initial encounters with Jayne Robinson in Islamabad.
- Stalin's Final Sting (2019) – Johnson searches for a legendary KGB weapon developed during the Cold War, taking him to the Baltic states.
- The Nazi's Son (2019) – A sequel of sorts to the first book, dealing with the fallout of Nazi secrets and the legacy of war criminals.
- The Black Sea (2019) – Johnson finds himself in Georgia and Ukraine, navigating modern Russian aggression and historical Soviet secrets.
Jayne Robinson Series: Publication Order
In 2021, Turpin expanded his universe by giving the popular recurring character Jayne Robinson her own standalone spy thriller series. As a former British MI6 officer, Robinson's missions are highly deniable, politically sensitive, and action-packed, taking her from the Kremlin to the Middle East. Here is the publication order for her series:
- The Kremlin's Vote (2021) – Robinson must stop a Russian plot to influence a crucial U.S. presidential election.
- The Dark Shah (2021) – Robinson is sent to Iran to investigate a nuclear threat and a conspiracy threatening the stability of the Middle East.
- The Confessor (2022) – A mystery involving the Vatican, hidden secrets, and a threat to the Pope himself.
- The Queen's Pawn (2023) – Robinson uncovers a conspiracy reaching the highest levels of British royalty and government.
- The Dam Keeper (2023) – A race against time to stop an environmental and geopolitical disaster involving a critical European dam.
Chronological Order and the Prequel Caveat
For the most part, Andrew Turpin’s books take place in chronological order matching their publication dates. However, the notable exception is the novella The Afghan (2019). Chronologically, this book takes place years before the events of The Last Nazi, serving as a prequel that documents Joe Johnson's CIA days and his initial, brief romantic affair with Jayne Robinson in Islamabad.
While purists might want to read The Afghan first, we highly recommend reading it in publication order (between Bandit Country and Stalin's Final Sting). Reading it later gives much-needed depth and emotional context to the relationship between Joe and Jayne, which is teased heavily throughout the first three novels. Seeing their backstory after you already know their modern dynamics makes the prequel far more satisfying.
The Crossover Connections: Joe & Jayne
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Andrew Turpin's novels is the crossover between his two main characters. Because they share a history, they frequently appear in each other’s books. Jayne Robinson is introduced as a major supporting character in the Joe Johnson series, providing British intelligence contacts and tactical support. Conversely, Joe Johnson makes appearances in the Jayne Robinson series, offering his investigator skills and muscle when Jayne needs someone she can trust implicitly.
Because of this shared continuity, readers who skip the Joe Johnson series and jump straight into Jayne Robinson's books will miss out on the rich history of their relationship, including the unresolved romantic tension and professional respect they built over years of high-stakes operations.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive in, it helps to understand Turpin's unique approach to the thriller genre. A former business and financial journalist with a history degree from Loughborough University, Turpin writes with extreme technical and historical accuracy. Rather than relying solely on mindless action, his plots are driven by complex financial webs, authentic historical research, and real-world geopolitical tensions. His style appeals to fans of Lee Child, Daniel Silva, and Vince Flynn, combining the procedural investigation of war crimes with the high-stakes tradecraft of modern espionage.