The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?
Andrew Watts is a USA Today bestselling author who spent a decade as a U.S. Navy officer and helicopter pilot. That real-life experience shines through in his writing, giving his techno-thrillers and espionage novels a level of authenticity and technical precision that matches giants of the genre like Tom Clancy and Vince Flynn. Because his series are distinct from one another, you have options for how to dive into his work.
We highly recommend starting with his flagship series, The War Planners, beginning with the self-titled first book, The War Planners (2015). This series showcases Watts's strengths in crafting geopolitical chess matches, realistic espionage, and complex military operations. It serves as the perfect introduction to his high-octane narrative style.
If you prefer a tech-heavy, cyber-espionage angle, you can start with Firewall (2021), the opening novel of The Firewall Spies series. Alternatively, if you want stories focusing on aviation intrigue and corporate sabotage, Glidepath (2017) is the ideal entry point to the Max Fend series. None of these series cross over directly, so you can read them independently without worrying about spoiling plots or missing character development in the others.
The War Planners Series
This is Andrew Watts's definitive military-thriller series. The plot centers on a covert, highly sophisticated Chinese plan to invade the United States, and the small, secretive task force assembled by CIA operative Lena Chou to stop it. The narrative is noted for its focus on the Manning family, whose members must navigate the perilous intersection of global warfare, intelligence operations, and personal loyalty. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly, and you should read them in sequence to follow the overarching geopolitical conflict.
- The War Planners (2015): The series opener introduces the threat and the team assembled to analyze it. It was originally released as a four-part episodic serial before being compiled into a single novel.
- The War Stage (2016): The stakes escalate as the covert conflict moves closer to open war, testing the limits of the planners' strategies.
- Pawns of the Pacific (2017): Focuses on the tactical maneuvers in the Pacific theater, featuring intense naval and aerial action.
- The Elephant Game (2017): Shakes up the geopolitical board with espionage operations targeting political figures and hidden agendas.
- Overwhelming Force (2019): The military confrontation reaches a fever pitch with major engagements and high-stakes operations.
- Global Strike (2020): The thrilling conclusion to the main arc, where the task force must execute a final, desperate mission to secure peace.
The Max Fend Thrillers
If you enjoy stories about aviation, cyber threats, and corporate espionage, the Max Fend series is an excellent choice. The series follows Max Fend, the son of a billionaire aerospace CEO, who acts as a CIA asset alongside his partner, Renee. The books combine Watts's deep knowledge of flight operations with fast-paced thriller elements.
- Glidepath (2017): Max is thrust into a race against time to prevent a devastating cyberattack targeting an autonomous commercial airliner.
- The Oshkosh Connection (2018): Max and Renee follow a global conspiracy linked to the illegal opioid trade, leading them to the famous EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
- Air Race (2022): Co-authored with Chris Bauer. Max and Renee enter a high-profile transcontinental air race, using the competition as cover to hunt down a contract killer.
The Firewall Spies Series
Focusing heavily on modern cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and intelligence agency espionage, this series is perfect for fans of technothrillers. While the first book was written solely by Watts, the subsequent installments were co-authored with Dale M. Nelson, bringing a collaborative depth to the high-stakes cyber battles.
- Firewall (2021): Introduces the high-tech espionage unit and the dangers of weaponized artificial intelligence.
- Agent of Influence (2022): Co-authored with Dale M. Nelson. Focuses on deep-cover assets and the manipulation of international intelligence networks.
- A Future Spy (2022): Co-authored with Dale M. Nelson. Explores the chilling intersection of future technologies, predictive AI, and surveillance state tactics.
- Tournament of Shadows (2023): Co-authored with Dale M. Nelson. A global chase involving elite hackers and intelligence agents playing a deadly game of electronic hide-and-seek.
- All Secrets Die (2024): Co-authored with Dale M. Nelson. The team faces their most personal and dangerous threat yet as secrets from the past threaten global security.
What to Know Before You Start
Watts graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003 and served as a Navy helicopter pilot, flying counter-narcotics missions in the Eastern Pacific and counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa. He also managed operations on a nuclear aircraft carrier. This background means his depictions of aircraft, military hierarchy, and tactical decision-making are exceptionally accurate. You won't find generic thriller tropes here; instead, the technology and tactics reflect real military procedures.
Additionally, Andrew Watts is the founder of Severn River Publishing, an independent publishing house that focuses on promoting and publishing novels written by military veterans, helping bring authentic military voices to thriller fans around the world.