How to Read Anthony M. Strong's Books
Anthony M. Strong has built a reputation for crafting fast-paced, atmospheric thrillers that seamlessly blend supernatural horror, ancient archaeology, and action-adventure. For readers looking to dive into his bibliography, the primary entry point is his signature John Decker series. However, his work also extends to science fiction, standalone ghost stories, and co-authored psychological thrillers written under a pen name.
To get the most out of his writing, we recommend starting with his supernatural investigator series before branching out into his other projects. Here is your roadmap to navigating his fictional worlds.
The Recommended Starting Point: John Decker
The best place to start is with the John Decker Series, which follows a former homicide cop who becomes an operative for a secretive paranormal agency. While the books are written to work as standalone investigations, reading them in order allows you to appreciate Decker's personal evolution and the growth of his supporting cast.
You have two choices for where to begin:
- Option A (Chronological Start): Begin with the prequel novella Soul Catcher (Book 0.5). This story introduces Decker as a New York City detective pulled into a dark Egyptian cult conspiracy. It sets the stage for his encounters with the supernatural.
- Option B (Publication Start): Start with the first full-length novel, What Vengeance Comes (Book 1). This is where Decker returns to his hometown of Wolf Haven, Louisiana, and faces a series of gruesome killings that set him on his path as a full-time monster hunter.
Additionally, Strong wrote a short prequel novella titled Blood Moon, which was originally distributed as a mailing list exclusive. The events and text of Blood Moon were later expanded and officially incorporated into the 14th novel, Night Wraith, meaning you do not need to hunt down the rare standalone booklet to get the full story.
Exploring the CUSP Files Spin-Offs
Once you are familiar with the John Decker series, you can venture into the CUSP Files. In Decker's main series, he works for CUSP (Classified Universal Special Projects), a covert organization dedicated to neutralizing paranormal threats. The CUSP Files is a spin-off series focusing on other agents and missions within the same universe. These novellas function as standalone adventures, but they feature cameos and direct references to John Decker, enriching the lore of his world.
The Remnants Duology
If you want to step away from paranormal investigation and into post-apocalyptic science fiction, pick up the Remnants series. Starting with The Remnants of Yesterday and concluding in The Silence of Tomorrow, this duology follows Hayden Stone and Clara as they navigate a sudden, eerie shift into an alternate reality stripped of modern electricity, internet, and safety, while being hunted by both monsters and a sinister government program.
Standalone Horror & Co-Authored Psychological Thrillers
For a classic haunted house story, Strong's standalone novel The Haunting of Willow House is a perfect palette cleanser. It delivers a atmospheric, scary, and isolated horror tale that stands completely outside of any series continuity.
For fans of psychological suspense, Strong writes alongside his wife, Sonya Sargent, under the pen name A.M. Strong. These books, such as Gravewater Lake and The Last Girl Left, focus on domestic suspense, missing persons, and psychological twists, offering a different flavor of thrills without any supernatural elements.
Anthony M. Strong Books in Order
The John Decker Series
This is the main reading sequence for John Decker's supernatural cases:
- Soul Catcher (2015) — Prequel Novella (Book 0.5)
- What Vengeance Comes (2015) — Book 1
- Cold Sanctuary / Cold Vengeance (2016) — Book 2
- Crimson Deep (2020) — Book 3
- Grendel's Labyrinth (2020) — Book 4
- Whitechapel Rising (2020) — Book 5
- Black Tide (2021) — Book 6
- Ghost Canyon (2021) — Book 7
- Cryptid Quest (2021) — Book 8
- Last Resort (2022) — Book 9
- Dark Force (2022) — Book 10
- A Ghost of Christmas Past (2022) — Book 11
- Deadly Crossing (2022) — Book 12
- Final Destiny (2023) — Book 13
- Night Wraith (2023) — Book 14 (incorporates the prequel novella Blood Moon)
- Wolf Haven (2024) — Book 15
The CUSP Files Series
These spin-off novellas expand the John Decker supernatural universe:
- Deadly Truth (2023)
- Devil's Forest (2023)
The Remnants Series
This science fiction duology should be read in publication order:
- The Remnants of Yesterday (2020)
- The Silence of Tomorrow (2022)
Standalone Novels & Collections
These books can be read at any time as they do not share continuity with the major series:
- The Haunting of Willow House (2017) — Standalone Horror Novel
- Crow Song: Macabre Tales of Horror and Suspense (2020) — Short Story Collection
- Turning The Tide (2022) — Anthology Contribution
Co-Authored Psychological Thrillers (as A.M. Strong)
Written with Sonya Sargent, these stand-alone psychological thrillers are separate from his supernatural bibliography:
- Gravewater Lake
- The Last Girl Left
- I Will Find Her
- Allison Must Die
- A Place to Die For (2026)
What to Know Before You Start
Anthony M. Strong’s books are heavily influenced by classic horror writers like Stephen King and Dean Koontz, but they also lean into the techno-thriller and archaeological adventure styles of James Rollins, Clive Cussler, and Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. If you enjoy stories where ancient legends, cryptids, and ghosts turn out to be terrifyingly real, you will feel right at home.
The settings are deeply atmospheric, often reflecting Strong's own travels. You will find yourself transported from the humid bayous of Louisiana to the freezing, isolated landscapes of Alaska, and the historic, haunted streets of Boston. Keep in mind that while the co-authored A.M. Strong psychological thrillers are grounded in real-world crime and mystery, his solo books under Anthony M. Strong almost always feature an element of the supernatural or science fiction.