Where to Start with Auston King
Auston King is the pseudonym of an ex-intelligence officer who channels real-world operational experience into gripping, fast-paced action novels. If you are new to his work, the best place to start is at the very beginning of his flagship series with The Assassin’s Betrayal (2020). This book introduces Jason Drake, a rogue CIA assassin who serves as the anchor for King's most popular universe. Starting here allows you to understand Drake's dark history, his psychological struggles, and the recurring cast of characters that populate his dangerous world.
Alternatively, if you prefer stories focused on tactical law enforcement and quick-reaction crisis management over long-running rogue assassin arcs, you can start with the Logan Cross series beginning with Black Swan Event (2026). However, because the Jason Drake series represents the core of King's bibliography, most readers will get the most satisfaction by reading Drake's books first.
Jason Drake Series in Publication and Chronological Order
The Jason Drake series follows a strict chronological timeline that mirrors its publication order. Because each book builds directly on the emotional fallout, international alliances, and political conspiracies of the previous installment, it is highly recommended to read them in the order they were released. Reading them out of order will spoil major plot points, including character deaths, shifting governmental allegiances, and Drake's evolving personal relationships.
- The Assassin's Betrayal (2020) – Jason Drake goes rogue after a devastating mission. When a devastating weapon goes missing, Drake must choose between his survival, saving Washington, D.C., and confronting the woman he loves.
- The Assassin's Game (2021) – The stakes rise when Drake is framed for the assassination of the president, forcing him to run from both enemies and former allies to clear his name.
- The Assassin's Vengeance (2021) – Pitted against an imminent chemical weapons threat, Drake faces impossible personal ultimatums as he hunts down those who betrayed him.
- The Assassin's Ultimatum (2022) – A high-stakes confrontation that pushes Drake's tactical abilities to the absolute limit.
- The Assassin's Target (2023) – Drake is targeted by an elite shadow organization, turning the hunter into the hunted in a global game of cat and mouse.
- The Assassin's Contract (2023) – Drake accepts a deadly contract that leads him deep into the dark web of international mercenary groups.
- The Assassin's List (2024) – A mysterious list containing the names of high-profile targets forces Drake to intervene before a global conspiracy unfolds.
- The Assassin's Daughter (2025) – The conflict hits home as Drake must protect a young woman linked directly to his past, introducing a protective dynamic to the series.
- The Assassin's Shadow (2026) – Drake operates in the darkest corners of international espionage to eliminate a threat that has haunted him for years.
- The Assassin's Revenge (2027) – A relentless quest for retribution that ties up long-standing plot threads from the entire series.
Logan Cross Series in Order
In addition to the Jason Drake books, Auston King launched a new espionage series featuring a new protagonist named Logan Cross. Unlike Drake, who is often operating rogue or on the fringes of the law, Cross is a tactical operative driven by a strong sense of justice and institutional duty. The series focuses on high-speed tactical responses to sudden, destabilizing global crises.
- Black Swan Event (2026) – The series debut, where Logan Cross is deployed to handle an unpredictable, high-stakes geopolitical shock that threatens to trigger a global war.
- The Minute Man (2026) – Cross faces a race against the clock to neutralize a ticking threat under extreme operational pressure.
- Dead Hand (2027) – An upcoming thriller dealing with legacy automated defense systems and cold-war era protocols that threaten modern security.
What to Know Before You Start
Auston King writes at an incredibly rapid pace, frequently releasing new novels every few months. His books are highly episodic but maintain a strong underlying continuity, meaning while each individual novel resolves its primary tactical threat, the character arcs and political conspiracies span multiple books. Readers who enjoy the tactical detail of Tom Clancy, the relentless pacing of Brad Thor, and the gritty realism of Vince Flynn will find themselves right at home. The author's background as an ex-intelligence officer shines through in the detailed explanations of weaponry, surveillance tradecraft, and governmental bureaucracy, making the espionage elements feel grounded and authentic.