Where to Start Reading Bob Mayer
Bob Mayer’s extensive bibliography spans multiple genres, making your starting point dependent on what you enjoy reading. The author recommends starting with one of three entry points:
- For military action and tactical realism: Start with Eyes of the Hammer, the first book in the Dave Riley subseries of The Green Berets.
- For sci-fi conspiracies and ancient mythology: Start with Area 51, originally written under the pseudonym Robert Doherty.
- For humorous romantic suspense: Start with Agnes and the Hitman, co-authored with Jennifer Crusie, which launches the universe of The Organization.
The Green Berets Series
Mayer’s flagship series is heavily grounded in his real-world experience as a Green Beret. While the books share a continuous background, they are divided into character-driven subseries that can be read in publication order.
Dave Riley Subseries
Dave Riley is the original protagonist of the series, facing down high-stakes tactical operations that blend military strategy with psychological depth.
- Eyes of the Hammer (1991)
- Dragon Sim-13 (1992)
- Synbat / Operation Synbat (1994)
- Cut Out (1995)
- Eternity Base (1996)
- Z (1996)
Horace Chase Subseries
Also known as the "Chasing" trilogy, this subseries shifts focus to Horace Chase, dealing with recovery, loss, and covert pursuits.
- Chasing the Ghost (2010)
- Chasing the Lost (2013)
- Chasing the Son (2015)
Will Kane Subseries
Set in the gritty landscape of 1970s New York, the Will Kane novels follow a classic noir and hard-boiled military thriller formula.
- New York Minute (2019)
- Lawyers, Guns and Money (2019)
- Walk on the Wild Side (2019)
- Hell of a Town (2020)
- No Quarter (2021)
- Shelter From The Storm (2024)
The Area 51 Sci-Fi Universe
Writing originally as Robert Doherty, Mayer combined elements of UFO lore, historical mythology, and military action into a sprawling sci-fi saga. The spin-off series expand the lore into time travel and elite unit operations.
Area 51 (Original Series)
- Area 51 (1997)
- The Reply (1998)
- The Mission (1999)
- The Sphinx (2000)
- The Grail (2001)
- Excalibur (2002)
- The Truth (2003)
- Nosferatu (2003)
- Legend (2004)
- Redemption (2018)
- Invasion (2018)
- Interstellar (2019)
- Earth Abides (2020)
Area 51: The Nightstalkers
This spin-off bridges the gap between the traditional alien conflicts of Area 51 and the concept of time manipulation.
- Nightstalkers (2012)
- The Book of Truths (2013)
- The Rift (2014)
- Time Patrol (2015)
Area 51: Time Patrol
The direct continuation of the Nightstalkers team as they navigate historical threats throughout key moments in time.
- Black Tuesday (2015)
- Ides of March (2016)
- D-Day (2016)
- Independence Day (2016)
- Nine Eleven (2016)
- Valentines Day (2017)
- Hallows Eve (2017)
The Atlantis Series
Originally written under the pen name Greg Donegan, the Atlantis series explores interdimensional gates, ancient mysteries, and global military responses to cosmic threats.
- Atlantis (1999)
- Bermuda Triangle (2000)
- Devil's Sea (2001)
- Atlantis Gate (2002)
- Assault on Atlantis (2003)
- Battle for Atlantis (2004)
- Atlantis Gate (2011)
Jennifer Crusie Collaborations
Mayer's partnership with bestselling romance novelist Jennifer Crusie produced a series of fan-favorite romantic thrillers. These collaborations blend Mayer's action-heavy military background with Crusie's sharp humor and romantic tension.
Standalone Collaborations
- Don't Look Down (2006)
- Agnes and the Hitman (2007)
- Wild Ride (2009)
The Organization Series
A direct spin-off of the highly popular Agnes and the Hitman, focusing on the quirky assassins and operatives of the mysterious Organization.
- Shane and the Hitwoman (2021)
- Phoebe and the Traitor (2022)
The Liz Danger Series
A collaborative mystery-romance trilogy following a ghostwriter who gets tangled in local conspiracies after returning to her small hometown.
- Lavender's Blue (2023)
- Rest In Pink (2023)
- One In Vermillion (2023)
Rocky Start
Continuing their collaborative streak, this series explores cozy mystery tropes with an action-thriller twist.
- Rocky Start (2024)
Other Thriller and Speculative Series
Beyond his primary universes, Mayer has written several short series that highlight his versatility, ranging from traditional black ops thrillers to psychic warfare.
Black Ops Books
- The Line (1996)
- Omega Missile (1998)
- Omega Sanction (1999)
- The Gate (2019)
Psychic Warrior Books
- Psychic Warrior (2000)
- Project Aura (2012)
The Cellar Books
- Bodyguard of Lies (2005)
- Lost Girls (2007)
Jim Vaughn Books
- Section Eight (2005)
- The Citadel (2007)
The Presidential Thriller Books
- The Jefferson Allegiance (2011)
- The Kennedy Endeavor (2013)
Burners Books
- Burners (2015)
- Prime (2015)
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order Caveats
For most of Bob Mayer's thrillers, publication order is the ideal path. However, there are significant exceptions within the Area 51 series. Specifically, Nosferatu and Legend act as prequel stories that flesh out the background mythology of the series. While they can be read chronologically first, they are best appreciated after reading the core books (1 through 7) because they assume the reader is already familiar with the lore and world-building of the main series.
What to Know Before You Start
Bob Mayer's background as a West Point graduate and Green Beret commander infuses his thrillers with a style he calls "factual fiction." He combines real-world military psychology, tactics, and geography with speculative premises. Additionally, readers looking for his sci-fi and action novels should keep an eye out for his common pen names, including Robert Doherty (for Area 51) and Greg Donegan (for Atlantis).