Where to Start Reading Bo Thunboe
Bo Thunboe's bibliography is divided into two distinct genres: gritty Midwestern noir and post-apocalyptic survival thrillers. Because these series inhabit entirely different universes, readers can start with either depending on their preference. If you enjoy hard-boiled detective work, local political corruption, and classic procedural elements, start with the Jake Houser Mystery series. If you prefer high-stakes action, societal breakdown, and family survival dynamics, begin with the EMP Strike series.
Jake Houser Mystery Series Reading Order
The Jake Houser series centers on a former military policeman turned private investigator who works in the western suburbs of Chicago. Houser has a severe aversion to bureaucratic red tape and a persistent drive to dig up buried truths. The books are best read in publication order. The narrative progression tracks Jake Houser's personal developments, evolving family dynamics, and his developing relationships with local authorities.
- What Can't Be True (2018) – The debut novel introduces Jake Houser as he uncovers a web of municipal corruption that hits dangerously close to his own family ties.
- However Many More (2018) – Houser investigates the murder of a close friend, which leads him into a dangerous underworld chasing a mysterious silver bar.
- As It Never Was (2019) – A personal quest pushes Houser to bypass conventional law enforcement to find a missing boy, bringing him face-to-face with powerful, corrupt entities.
- Past Made Present (2020) – Houser partners with a true-crime writer to tackle a cold case involving a missing teenager, exposing decades of cover-ups.
- What Must Be Done (2020) – The fifth installment sees Houser confronting new moral dilemmas and high-stakes suburban crime.
EMP Strike Series Reading Order
Moving away from the legal and detective procedural genre, Thunboe also explores post-apocalyptic fiction. The EMP Strike series follows the Fallon family during the immediate collapse of modern civilization after a devastating electromagnetic pulse attack. This series is a tight, sequential story arc that must be read in order to follow the family's journey to reunite and survive.
- EMP Strike (Book 1) – Introduces Dan Fallon, who must trek hundreds of miles back home to his family in the immediate wake of the EMP blast.
- Chaos Reigns (Book 2) – Explores the rapid breakdown of local infrastructure, law, and order as the family struggles to secure basic necessities.
- Camp Defiance (Book 3) – The survivors must establish a fortified base to protect themselves against hostile factions.
- End Game (Book 4) – The climax of the survival saga, where the family faces their ultimate test of resilience.
What to Know Before You Start
Thunboe's writing style is heavily influenced by his real-life background. Having spent two decades practicing law in northern Illinois and working blue-collar jobs, he infuses his mysteries with sharp, authentic procedural details, legal realism, and true-to-life Chicago suburban settings. Unlike sprawling thriller series, Thunboe's books are fast-paced, direct, and heavily character-driven. There are no current spin-offs or co-authored works, making both of his series straightforward and easy for new readers to pick up and read sequentially.