How to Read Chad Zunker's Books
Chad Zunker has established himself as a prominent voice in modern thriller fiction, drawing on his own background in law and journalism to craft fast-paced, high-stakes narratives. His bibliography is split between two main character-driven series and a rapidly expanding catalog of standalone suspense novels. To get the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read each individual series in publication order, while his standalones can be enjoyed at any point.
Recommended Starting Points
If you are new to Chad Zunker's work, you have two primary entry routes depending on the type of thriller you prefer:
- For Legal Thrillers & Social Justice: Start with An Equal Justice (2019). This kicks off the David Adams series, which focuses on courtroom drama, corporate corruption, and the struggles of Austin's homeless community.
- For High-Octane Espionage & Political Intrigue: Start with The Tracker (originally self-published in 2015 and picked up by Thomas & Mercer in 2017). This introduces Sam Callahan, a street-smart law student caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.
The David Adams Series
The David Adams series is Zunker's most decorated work, with the first book earning a nomination for the prestigious Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. The series features David Adams, a Stanford law graduate who walks away from a lucrative corporate law career in Austin, Texas, to advocate for the city's homeless population. As he fights for society's most vulnerable, he repeatedly finds himself entangled in deadly conspiracies involving powerful elites.
1. An Equal Justice (2019)
David Adams is on the fast track to partnership at a prestigious Austin law firm. However, his life changes when he begins volunteering at a local homeless shelter. When a homeless man he befriended is found dead under suspicious circumstances, David begins investigating and uncovers a massive corporate conspiracy linked directly to his own firm.
2. An Unequal Defense (2020)
Now operating a legal practice dedicated to helping the unhoused, David takes on the defense of a homeless man accused of murdering a wealthy and powerful prosecutor. The case quickly becomes personal, forcing David to navigate corrupt judicial systems and street-level violence to prove his client's innocence.
3. Runaway Justice (2021)
In the third installment, David must go on the run to protect a young homeless witness who holds the key to exposing a multi-million-dollar health care fraud scheme. With both corrupt authorities and professional hitmen on their tail, David must use all his legal expertise and street smarts to survive.
The Sam Callahan Series
Before writing legal thrillers, Zunker created Sam Callahan, an orphan with a troubled past who has fought hard to build a life as a law student. To pay his tuition, Sam works as a political "tracker," filming politicians in hopes of catching them in compromising situations. This side hustle frequently pulls him into the dangerous crosshairs of international intelligence agencies.
1. The Tracker (2015 / 2017)
While tracking a charismatic senator, Sam witnesses a horrific murder. Suddenly, he is the prime target of a ruthless assassin and a deep-state conspiracy. Sam must rely on his survival instincts and sharp mind to stay ahead of his pursuers and expose the truth.
2. Shadow Shepherd (2017)
Following the events of the first book, Sam is forced to cooperate with the CIA. Sent on an undercover mission to infiltrate a domestic terrorist group, he must navigate a web of betrayal where he cannot trust anyone, including his own handlers.
3. Hunt the Lion (2018)
In this high-stakes conclusion, an international assassin known as "The Lion" targets members of Sam's inner circle. To protect the people he loves, Sam is forced to go on the offensive, tracking the killer across the globe in a tense battle of wits.
Standalone Novels
In recent years, Chad Zunker has shifted his focus toward standalone domestic thrillers and psychological suspense. These books do not share characters or continuity, meaning they can be read in any order.
- Family Money (2022): Follows Alex Hudson, whose father-in-law is murdered, leaving behind a hidden fortune. As Alex tries to uncover the truth, he realizes his father-in-law was living a double life, and dangerous criminals want the money back.
- All He Has Left (2023): A grieving father is determined to find his missing daughter. His search leads him to a quiet, affluent suburb where he uncovers dark secrets hidden behind closed doors.
- The Wife You Know (2024): A husband's life is turned upside down when his wife suddenly disappears. As the police investigation deepens, shocking details about her past come to light, making him wonder if he ever truly knew her.
- Not Our Daughter (2025): A gripping thriller exploring the nightmares of parental fears, secrets, and a kidnapping that tears a family apart.
- In His Wake (2026): Originally announced under the working title The Lies of Our Father, this novel follows investigative reporter Dean Dawson. After his estranged father supposedly dies in a boating accident, Dean uncovers a web of lies linking his father to a major political assassination plot.
- What Mother Knows (Scheduled for November 3, 2026): Zunker's upcoming thriller focuses on a Denver attorney whose estranged mother—a powerful local mayor—is suddenly accused of murdering his stepfather.
Short Stories and Anthologies
In addition to his full-length novels, Zunker contributed to the Alibis Collection (2025), a multi-author anthology of standalone mystery and suspense stories. His contribution, titled Good Neighbors, follows a woman named Kara Reed who witnesses a crime after investigating suspicious activity at her neighbor's home, throwing her into a web of neighborhood secrets and danger.
What to Know Before You Start
Chad Zunker's thrillers are characterized by their clean writing style, rapid pacing, and strong moral compass. Unlike many grit-heavy legal thrillers, Zunker's books maintain a hopeful undertone, frequently focusing on themes of redemption, second chances, and standing up for the marginalized. His portrayal of Austin's homeless community in the David Adams series is informed by his real-life volunteer work with Community First! Village, adding a layer of authentic social consciousness to the suspense.