Brendan Dubois Books in Order

Where to Begin Your Brendan DuBois Journey

Brendan DuBois is one of the most versatile voices in modern suspense, writing everything from gritty coastal mysteries to mind-bending alternate histories and high-octane thriller collaborations. Because his work spans several distinct styles, the best place to start depends entirely on what you enjoy reading:

• For Classic Mystery Fans: Start with Dead Sand (1994), the debut novel in the long-running Lewis Cole series. It introduces a brilliant protagonist and builds a rich, evolving setting along the New Hampshire seacoast.
• For Alternate History Buffs: Start with Resurrection Day (1999). This award-winning standalone thriller presents a chilling look at a post-nuclear United States following a disastrous Cuban Missile Crisis.
• For Action and Military Thrillers: Start with The Cornwalls Are Gone (2019), the first book in the Amy Cornwall series co-authored with James Patterson.
• For Sci-Fi and Alien Invasion Enthusiasts: Start with Dark Victory (2016), the opening installment of a fast-paced survival trilogy.

The Lewis Cole Mystery Series

The cornerstone of DuBois's solo career is the Lewis Cole series. Lewis Cole is a former Department of Defense research analyst who retired to the fictional town of Tyler Beach, New Hampshire, hoping to lead a quiet life writing magazine columns. Instead, his analytical background and local connections constantly pull him into dark, complex criminal investigations.

While the mystery in each novel is self-contained, we highly recommend reading the Lewis Cole books in publication order. The personal life of Lewis, his relationships with recurring characters like local mob boss Felix Tousse and police detective Diane Woods, and the physical transformation of Tyler Beach itself are serialized across the books. Reading them in order allows you to experience this rich character and setting development fully.

Lewis Cole Books in Publication Order:

1. Dead Sand (1994)
2. Black Tide (1995)
3. Shattered Shell (1999)
4. Killer Waves (2001)
5. Buried Dreams (2004)
6. Primary Storm (2006)
7. Deadly Cove (2011)
8. Fatal Harbor (2014)
9. Blood Foam (2015)
10. Storm Cell (2016)
11. Hard Aground (2018)
12. Terminal Surf (2024)

Collaborations with James Patterson

In recent years, Brendan DuBois has become a major co-author for James Patterson, contributing to several of Patterson's most popular universes and standalone thrillers. These books are fast-paced, feature short chapters, and can be read independently of DuBois's solo work.

The Amy Cornwall Series

This series follows Amy Cornwall, an Army intelligence officer who returns home to find her family has vanished, setting off a desperate race against time. Note that the first book was published under different titles depending on the region.

1. The Cornwalls Are Gone (also published as The Cornwalls Vanish or Out of Sight) (2019)
2. Countdown (2023)

Owen Taylor Bookshots

Part of Patterson's "BookShots" initiative, these are lightning-fast novellas designed to be read in a single sitting, focusing on Special Operations veteran Owen Taylor.

1. The End (2017)
2. After the End (2017)

Alex Cross Contribution

DuBois also stepped into Patterson's flagship franchise to co-author a major entry:

• Cross Down (2023) – The 31st book in the Alex Cross series. This story focuses heavily on Cross's longtime partner, John Sampson, while Alex Cross recovers from injuries.

Standalone Patterson Collaborations

These standalone thrillers are perfect for weekend reading and require no prior series knowledge:

• The First Lady (2018)
• The Summer House (2020)
• Blowback (2022)

Science Fiction and Alternate History Series

Beyond mysteries and thrillers, DuBois has penned two distinct speculative fiction trilogies that should be read in chronological order to follow their sweeping narratives.

Empire of the North Trilogy

Set hundreds of years after a devastating global war, this post-apocalyptic story takes place in the Empire of the Nunavit (located in former Canada). It follows young Sire Armand de la Couture as he travels south and begins questioning the oppressive structure of his society.

1. The Noble Warrior (2012)
2. The Noble Prisoner (2012)
3. The Noble Prince (2012)

Dark Victory Trilogy

A gripping alien-invasion story where humanity fights a desperate guerrilla war against a hostile alien force known as the "Creepers." The books follow young survivor Randy Knox.

1. Dark Victory (2016)
2. Red Vengeance (2017)
3. Black Triumph (2018)

Standalone Novels and Short Fiction

If you prefer self-contained stories, DuBois has a strong catalog of standalone thrillers. The standout is Resurrection Day (1999), which won the prestigious Sidewise Award for Alternate History. Other standalone thrillers include Six Days (2001), Betrayed (2003), Final Winter (2006), Twilight (2007), Amerikan Eagle (2011), and Night Road (2016).

DuBois is also a celebrated master of the short story format, with over 150 short stories published in prestigious mystery magazines. His award-winning short fiction is collected in compilations such as Tales From The Dark Woods (2002) and The Dark Snow and Other Mysteries (2002)—the title story of the latter was selected as one of the Best American Mystery Stories of the Century.