Brent Towns Books in Order

How to Start Reading Brent Towns' Books

For readers diving into Brent Towns' bibliography, the primary entry point is the John “Reaper” Kane Universe. This universe consists of two interconnected action-thriller series: Team Reaper and Fear the Reaper (often called the Kane series). The best way to experience John Kane's evolution from a fugitive Marine on the run to a black-ops squad leader is to start with Retribution, the first book in the Team Reaper Thriller series.

However, because Towns writes across several distinct genres—including modern P.I. mysteries, globe-trotting SAS adventures, historical war fiction, and classic Westerns—your ideal starting point depends on what you enjoy reading most:

• For Military Action & Black-Ops: Start with Retribution (Team Reaper #1).
• For Gritty Outback P.I. Mystery: Start with Drowning are the Dead (Mark Hayes #1).
• For Classic Frontier Westerns: Start with Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws.
• For Collaborative Military History: Start with The Brave and the Lonely (The War Torn #1, or jump directly to Towns' contribution in Book 6, The Slaughter and the Terror).

The Reaper Universe: Team Reaper vs. Fear the Reaper

John “Reaper” Kane is Towns' signature protagonist, but his adventures are divided into two series that can sometimes confuse new readers. Here is how they differ and how they connect:

1. Team Reaper Thriller Series

This is the flagship series. It centers on John Kane and a specialized, elite unit executing high-stakes black-ops missions to confront international cartels, terrorist cells, and global conspiracies. The series begins with Kane trying to lie low in an Arizona town, only to be dragged back into the fight. While the later books feature collaborations with authors like Brian Drake and Mark Allen, the narrative continuity remains tight and is best read in publication order.

1. Retribution (2019)
2. Deadly Intent (2019)
3. Termination Order (2019)
4. Blood Rush (2019) - co-authored with Brian Drake
5. Kill Count (2019) - co-authored with Mark Allen
6. Relentless (2019)
7. Lethal Tender (2019) - co-authored with Brian Drake
8. Empty Quiver (2019)
9. Barracuda! (2020)
10. African White (2020)
11. Kill Theory (2020) - co-authored with Brian Drake
12. Danger Close (2020)
13. Collateral Damage (2020)
14. The Death Bringers (2020)
15. Hunting Ghosts (2021)
16. London's Burning (2021)
17. The Cold Hand of Death (2023)
18. Global War (2024)
19. Companions of the Dark (2024)

2. Fear the Reaper (Kane) Series

The Fear the Reaper series is a spinoff that places a stronger spotlight on John Kane as an individual operative. Rather than grand team campaigns, these books deal with more personal, isolated, and survival-driven stakes for Kane. It is recommended to read the first few Team Reaper books to get a feel for the character before jumping into this spinoff series.

1. Tooth & Nail (2019)
2. Center Mass (2020)
3. Darkness Upon Us (2020)
4. Deep Black (2022)
5. Born of the Reaper (2022)
6. Death Stalker (2023)
7. Kane: Dead Tomorrow (2023)

Other Action & Thriller Series

Beyond his signature Reaper franchise, Towns has built several other fast-paced thriller series that explore different styles of operational combat and investigation.

Talon Series

This series follows a covert, international anti-human trafficking squad. Put together by the British government and operating under the radar, the team is led by SAS reject Jacob Hawk and former German Intelligence officer Anja Meyer. Read them in order:

1. Talon (2022)
2. Talon Justice (2022)
3. Talon Vengeance (2023)
4. Talon Reprisal (2023)

The Gods of War Series

A relentless military action series featuring the duo of Kane (not John Kane) and Jensen, operating as mercenary forces in intense global hotspots.

1. Genocide (2024)
2. Congo Ice (2024)
3. Stalin's Spear (2024)
4. The Cuban Gambit (2024)
5. United Kingdom of Russia (2024)

The MI6 Files Series

This action-adventure series focuses on Richard Todd, a former Royal Marine Commando who gets recruited into the dangerous world of British foreign intelligence.

1. Burning Lance (2023)
2. Lion's Quarry (2023)

Dave Nash Thriller Series

A gritty action series co-authored by Towns and his wife, Samantha (Sam) Towns. It follows the personal investigations and survival battles of protagonist Dave Nash.

1. Deadly Water (2020)
2. The Red-Stained Desert (2022)

Mark Hayes Series

Set in Towns' home country of Australia, this series follows Mark Hayes, a former police officer turned private investigator, taking on missing persons and cold cases in the unforgiving Australian Outback.

1. Drowning are the Dead (2022)
2. Dark Places (2023)

Collaborative Westerns & Historical Fiction

Towns is a versatile writer who frequently collaborates with veteran authors to expand existing series or write classic Western adventures.

Company C Series

This Western series centers on Captain Nathan Kelso and his mobile unit, Company C, fighting Apaches in the Arizona Territory in 1882. The series was originally created by Ben Bridges, with Towns stepping in to write the sequels.

1. Hit 'em Hard! (2012) - written by Ben Bridges
2. To the Death! (2017) - written by Brent Towns
3. Fight Like Hell! (2018) - written by Brent Towns

Lew Eden Western Series

Another Western collaboration with Ben Bridges, tracking the exploits of Lew Eden after he enlists in the Seminole-Negro Scouts.

• Bugles and Blood (2017) - co-authored with Ben Bridges

The War Torn Series

This sweeping historical war fiction series was originally penned by Robert Vaughan in the early 1980s. Nearly four decades later, Towns co-authored the sixth installment to continue the legacy.

1. The Brave and the Lonely (1982) - by Robert Vaughan
2. The Embattled & the Bold (1983) - by Robert Vaughan
3. The Fallen and the Free (1983) - by Robert Vaughan
4. The Divine and the Damned (1983) - by Robert Vaughan
5. The Masters And The Martyrs (1983) - by Robert Vaughan
6. The Slaughter and the Terror (2021) - by Robert Vaughan and Brent Towns

Black Horse Western Books

Towns' standalone contributions to the famous Black Horse Western line feature traditional, action-packed frontier stories.

• Lightning Strike! (2017)
• Shadow Flats (2017)
• Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws (2018)
• The Other Madden (2019)
• Saracen! (2019)