How to Read Bryan Christy: The Recommended Path
Because Bryan Christy's published work spans both intensive investigative journalism and edge-of-your-seat fiction, your starting point depends entirely on what kind of reading experience you want. While his books are currently standalones, they exist in the same gritty, real-world landscape of international environmental crime and global black markets.
Here is our recommended reading path:
- Start with the Fiction: If you love action-packed espionage thrillers in the style of C.J. Box, start with In the Company of Killers (2021). It serves as an accessible, fast-paced entryway into his storytelling style.
- Follow with the Non-Fiction: Next, dive into The Lizard King (2008). Reading this second gives you a fascinating appreciation for how many of the seemingly wild, exaggerated elements of his fiction are actually grounded in true criminal conspiracies.
The Fiction: In the Company of Killers (2021)
In 2021, Bryan Christy made his fiction debut with In the Company of Killers. The novel introduces Tom Klay, a high-profile diplomatic and wildlife reporter who travels the world covering environmental stories. Beneath his journalistic cover, however, Klay operates as a deep-cover spy for the CIA.
When a routine assignment in Kenya goes terribly wrong—resulting in a lethal ambush that kills his closest friend and local guide—Klay finds himself targeted by a global syndicate. The narrative quickly spirals into a dark web of poaching, corporate greed, corrupt governments, and personal revenge. The novel has been widely praised for its authenticity, drawing heavily on Christy's own experiences negotiating with poachers and tracking illegal weapons in hostile territories.
The Non-Fiction: The Lizard King (2008)
Before writing novels, Christy established himself as a heavy-hitting investigative journalist. His landmark 2008 non-fiction book, The Lizard King: The True Crimes and Passions of the World's Greatest Reptile Smugglers, reads like a true-crime thriller.
The book details the high-stakes, multi-million dollar illegal reptile trade. It chronicles the years-long pursuit of Anson Wong, a notorious Malaysian smuggler known as the "Lizard King," by Michael J. Connor, a dedicated U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent. Through meticulous research and undercover interviews, Christy exposes a shadowy global network where rare turtles, venomous snakes, and endangered lizards are traded like narcotics. The book directly influenced wildlife protection policies in Southeast Asia and remains a seminal work on environmental crime.
What to Know Before You Start: From Fact to Fiction
Before diving into Christy's works, it helps to understand the incredible real-world background that fuels his writing. Christy isn't just an observer; he is an international trade lawyer and investigative reporter who founded National Geographic's Special Investigations Unit. He was named Rolex Explorer of the Year in 2014 for his innovative journalism methods.
Among his most famous real-life operations was "Tracking Ivory," a National Geographic cover story where he commissioned artificial elephant tusks embedded with GPS trackers. He used these decoy tusks to trace the illegal ivory trade routes directly from Central African conflict zones to terrorist organizations like the Lord's Resistance Army. Knowing that Christy has stared down warlords and infiltrated criminal networks makes the high-wire acts of his fictional protagonist, Tom Klay, feel remarkably tangible and authentic.
Bryan Christy Books in Publication Order
Standalone Novel (Fiction)
- In the Company of Killers (2021)
Non-Fiction Books
- The Lizard King: The True Crimes and Passions of the World's Greatest Reptile Smugglers (2008)