Andy McNab Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Andy McNab

Andy McNab (the pseudonym of Steven Billy Mitchell) has penned dozens of pulse-pounding thrillers, young adult adventures, and ground-breaking military memoirs. Depending on what you are looking for, there are three primary starting points to begin your reading journey:

• For the Flagship Espionage Thriller: Start with Remote Control (1997). This is the debut novel of the Nick Stone series, introducing McNab's most famous and long-running protagonist. Reading this series in order is highly recommended to appreciate Nick's character progression and psychological decline.
• For High-Octane Cinematic Action: Start with Red Notice (2012). This is the first book in the Tom Buckingham trilogy, which was adapted into the 2021 blockbuster movie SAS: Red Notice. It is faster-paced and offers a slightly different, more modern perspective on special forces operations.
• For Real-Life SAS Experiences: Start with Bravo Two Zero (1993). This is McNab's legendary, bestselling non-fiction account of his captured SAS patrol during the 1991 Gulf War. It is widely considered a military history classic and provides the real-life foundation for all his fictional works.

The Flagship: Nick Stone Series in Publication Order

The Nick Stone series is the backbone of Andy McNab's fiction. Stone is an ex-SAS soldier who operates in the dark, deniable corners of British Intelligence. Because Stone's personal life, psychological struggles, and relationships develop continuously from book to book, readers should follow the publication order. Reading these out of order will result in major character spoilers.

1. Remote Control (1997)
2. Crisis Four (1999)
3. Firewall (2000)
4. Last Light (2001)
5. Liberation Day (2002)
6. Dark Winter (2003)
7. Deep Black (2004)
8. Aggressor (2005)
9. Recoil (2006)
10. Crossfire (2007)
11. Brute Force (2008)
12. Exit Wound (2009)
13. Zero Hour (2010)
14. Dead Centre (2011)
15. Silencer (2013)
16. For Valour (2014)
17. Detonator (2015)
18. Cold Blood (2016)
19. Line of Fire (2017)
20. Down to the Wire (2022)

The Tom Buckingham Trilogy

Featuring active-duty SAS operator Tom Buckingham, this trilogy is highly serialized and focuses on large-scale terror plots. It should be read strictly in order:

1. Red Notice (2012)
2. Fortress (2014)
3. State of Emergency (2016)

Liam Scott and Young Adult Series

McNab has also written extensively for younger audiences and young adults. These books do not skimp on the military realism but feature younger protagonists dealing with military entry and survival.

Liam Scott Series

Written solely by McNab, this series follows a young recruit as he joins the British Army and goes on patrol in Afghanistan.

1. The New Recruit (2012)
2. New Patrol (2014)
3. The New Enemy (2015)

Boy Soldier Series

Co-authored with Robert Rigby, this sequence follows Danny Watts, a teenager who discovers his grandfather was a disgraced SAS soldier, leading him into a world of military conspiracies.

1. Traitor / Boy Soldier (2005)
2. Payback (2005)
3. Avenger (2006)
4. Meltdown (2007)

Other YA and Children's Series

• DropZone Series: Consisting of DropZone (2009) and Terminal Velocity (2011), this series combines skydiving, extreme sports, and covert operations.
• Street Soldier Series: Follows Sean Harker, a juvenile delinquent turned soldier, in Street Soldier (2016) and Silent Weapon (2017).
• Get Me Out of Here Series: Co-authored with Phil Earle, these middle-grade books include Get Me Out of Here! (2019) and I Broke the Internet (2021).

Co-Authored Novels and Standalones

Outside of his main series, McNab has collaborated with other authors on standalones and tie-in fiction:

• Battlefield 3: The Russian (2011) – Co-authored with Peter Grimsdale, this novel serves as an official tie-in backstory to the popular video game Battlefield 3.
• War Torn Series – Co-authored with Kym Jordan, this dramatic duo (War Torn, 2010; and Battle Lines, 2011) explores the psychological and domestic impact of war on military families.
• Whatever It Takes (2019) – A standalone thriller centered on an operative fighting organized crime.
• Shadow State (2023) – The first novel featuring Nathan Pike. Currently stands as a single entry.

Essential Non-Fiction and Memoirs

To fully appreciate McNab's fiction, it helps to read the real-life memoirs that established his writing career. These books offer a fascinating glimpse into the British special forces during the late 20th century.

• Bravo Two Zero (1993) – The harrowing story of an eight-man SAS patrol behind enemy lines in Iraq. Note: While the mission occurred in 1991, the book was officially published in 1993.
• Immediate Action (1995) – A memoir detailing his early life, joining the Army to escape a path of crime, and his grueling selection and service in the SAS.
• Seven Troop (2008) – A deeply personal reflection on the lives, careers, and tragic fates of the men he served with in the SAS.
• The Good Psychopath's Guide to Success (2014) and Sorted! (2015) – Self-help books co-authored with Oxford research psychologist Dr. Kevin Dutton, exploring how to harness functional psychopathic traits for daily life.

What to Know Before You Start

Andy McNab's books are highly prized for their authenticity. Because the author served in the elite 22 SAS Regiment, his descriptions of weapon handling, military tactics, surveillance, and survival techniques are highly detailed and accurate. However, because of his background, all of his manuscripts must be vetted by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) prior to publication. To protect himself from past adversaries, McNab still uses a pseudonym and restricts public appearances, often appearing in shadow or using disguises during media events.