Where to Start Reading Bill Thesken
For readers new to Bill Thesken's high-octane storytelling, the best starting point is undoubtedly the Badger Thompson series. Starting with Edge of the Pit (2016) allows you to experience the author's signature action-adventure style at its best, following a gritty, military-veteran-turned-security-specialist. If you prefer a standalone story with environmental stakes, The Oil Eater (2013) is another excellent entry point that showcases his knack for blending scientific themes like bioremediation with page-turning suspense.
The Badger Thompson Series in Order
The Badger Thompson series is Bill Thesken's most famous and beloved work. It features Badger Thompson, a former Iraqi war veteran turned security operative who often finds himself caught in deadly, fast-paced conspiracies. We recommend reading these books in their publication order to follow the character development and overarching narrative threads:
- Edge of the Pit (2016): Introduces Badger Thompson as he is framed for a deadly ambush and must use his combat and security skills to clear his name.
- The Catalina Cabal (2017): Badger discovers the body of a young woman while sailing off the coast of California's Catalina Island, pulling him into a dangerous human smuggling conspiracy.
- Quick Read (2020): A shorter, action-packed continuation that pits Badger against high-stakes dangers in his typical fast-paced style.
The Hunt for the Wild Series
In 2021, Thesken expanded his repertoire by writing a trilogy of Hawaiian-set middle-grade adventure books. Aimed at readers aged 9 and up, these novels follow a close-knit group of local kids—Jack, Malia, Max, Keoni, and Kenji—on exciting quests. They were all published in 2021 and can be read in any order, though publication order works best:
- Hunt for the Wild Honu (2021): Jack and his friends hunt for a legendary rogue sea turtle that is rumored to be able to outrun a human on dry land.
- Hunt for the Wild Taro (2021): The group goes in search of the legendary "King's taro," a plant rumored to grant superpowers.
- Hunt for the Wild Pue'o (2021): The kids venture deep into the Alaka'i swamp in search of the elusive native Hawaiian owl (pueo) for good luck.
Standalone Novels and Novellas
Bill Thesken has written several standalones that span multiple genres, reflecting his varied interests from surfing to golf and science fiction. These can be read in any order as they do not share characters or continuity:
- The Oil Eater (2013): A scientific thriller focusing on bioremediation and environmental intrigue.
- The Lords of Xibalba (2013): A jungle adventure set in Guatemala, following a 17-year-old American orphan who joins a native tribe in the Petén region.
- Blocking Paris (2014): A satirical novel focused on four friends who play match golf daily while navigating relationships.
- Exodus From Orion (2019): A science-fiction and mystery blend where a man named Bob retreats to the Sierra Mountains and hears a voice from a distant star.
- Legend of the Broken Paddle (2020): An adventure mystery centered around Hawaiian legends and island culture.
- The Island Classic (2021): A relaxed, surf-themed novel following Randy Chevois, a surf shop owner preparing for a local contest while managing family visits.
- Scottish Roots (2023): A golf-centered drama about Callum Maclean, who inherits a family home in Scotland and must win The Open at Royal Troon to gain his partner's father's approval.
- A Present for Kainani (2022): A heartwarming Christmas novella featuring Santa Claus the 10th traveling incognito to Hawaii to deliver a forgotten package to a young girl.
Addressing the "Poets and Philosophers" Confusion
Some literary databases and retail sites incorrectly categorize Bill Thesken's 2021 book Poets and Philosophers as a children's book because it was released around the same time as his middle-grade series. However, Poets and Philosophers is actually a gritty, adult mystery crime thriller. The story follows undercover Los Angeles detectives Jackson and Simon Profit as they investigate corrupt police drug stings, strip clubs, kidnapping, and blackmail. Readers seeking a dark, noir-style crime story should read this as a standalone adult thriller, keeping it far away from the children's bookshelf.