Chris Durbin Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Chris Durbin’s Books

For readers looking to dive into the meticulously researched maritime world of Chris Durbin, the path forward is straightforward and highly rewarding. The core of Durbin's bibliography is the Carlisle & Holbrooke Naval Adventures, a continuous historical saga tracking the military careers, personal lives, and shifting political loyalties of two Royal Navy officers during the mid-18th century. Because the series features a tight, linear chronology where characters age, relationships develop, and historical campaigns unfold in real time, the publication order is also the chronological order. Readers should absolutely begin with the first novel and follow the sequence as published.

Carlisle & Holbrooke Series in Order

This series spans the global conflict of the Seven Years' War (1756–1763) and continues into the fragile peace that preceded the American Revolutionary War. Below is the complete listing of the novels in their recommended reading order:

1. The Colonial Post-Captain (2017) – Set in 1756, this debut introduces Virginian Edward Carlisle and English midshipman George Holbrooke at the outbreak of the Seven Years' War, depicting the fall of Minorca and the trial of Admiral Byng.
2. The Leeward Islands Squadron (2018) – Carlisle faces the trials of higher command in the Caribbean, balancing tactical warfare against French forces with administrative challenges.
3. The Jamaica Station (2018) – The maritime theater shifts as Carlisle and Holbrooke navigate hostile waters and colonial politics in the West Indies.
4. Holbrooke's Tide (2019) – George Holbrooke begins taking on greater operational responsibility, establishing himself as a formidable officer in his own right.
5. The Cursed Fortress (2019) – A gripping tale centering on the siege of a French stronghold, testing the protagonists' resourcefulness and strategic grit.
6. Perilous Shore (2019) – Set in 1758, the narrative covers high-stakes amphibious operations along the European coastline.
7. Rocks and Shoals (2020) – Set in 1759, this volume plunges the characters into the crucial American campaigns of the war.
8. Niagara Squadron (2020) – Continuing the campaigns of 1759, this novel shifts focus to naval actions on the Great Lakes of North America.
9. Ligurian Mission (2021) – The action returns to the Mediterranean, dealing with espionage, diplomacy, and direct naval engagements.
10. Nor'west by North (2021) – Follows the dramatic aftermath of the Battle of Quiberon Bay (1759) as British naval dominance begins to solidify.
11. Carlisle's Duty (2022) – Personal honor and military orders clash, forcing Carlisle to make difficult choices under pressure.
12. Treacherous Moon (2022) – George Holbrooke is sent on a daring, covert intelligence mission onto mainland French territory.
13. Cousins At Arms (2023) – Highlights the growing familial and political tensions between British regulars and American colonial subjects.
14. An Upright Man (2023) – Explores the themes of duty, integrity, and the legal complexities of naval governance in the late stages of the war.
15. Old Bahama Straits (2024) – Navigates dangerous passages and pirate-infested waters in the Bahamas as the global war winds down.
16. Debatable Lands (2024) – Set in 1763, this book brings the Seven Years' War to a close, depicting complex joint Anglo-Portuguese operations in South America.
17. Red Gold (2025) – Set in 1764, during the uneasy peace following the war. Carlisle retires to Williamsburg, only for a family crisis in Sardinia to draw him into a dangerous private Mediterranean expedition.
18. Straits of Anián (2026) – Holbrooke is given command of the frigate Orion during peacetime and tasked with sailing to the ends of the Earth to locate the fabled, ice-free Northwest Passage.

Where to Start and What to Expect

The essential starting point is The Colonial Post-Captain. Reading the series from the beginning allows you to appreciate the growth of the two main characters: Edward Carlisle, a Virginian-born officer who must balance his loyalty to the British Crown with his identity as a colonial American, and George Holbrooke, who begins the series as a young protégé and matures into a seasoned commander. Durbin’s background as a warfare officer in the Royal Navy for 24 years infuses the books with an unparalleled level of technical authenticity. Ship handlings, fleet tactics, and the day-to-day realities of the Age of Sail are depicted with precise realism, yet the narrative remains accessible to casual readers of historical fiction.

A Modern Naval Departure: Standalone Work

In addition to his 18th-century historical series, Chris Durbin has written a modern standalone novel:

• Silkworm! (2025) – A dramatic departure from wooden hulls and sails, this thriller is set in 1988 during the Arabian Gulf Tanker War. It follows the crew of the fictional Royal Navy guided-missile destroyer HMS Winchester over four intense days. The book is heavily inspired by Durbin's personal experiences serving as the operations officer on HMS Exeter during that exact conflict.

Future Horizons

Fans of the series will be pleased to know that Durbin’s naval universe is continuing to expand. The author has confirmed that he is actively working on the nineteenth book in the Carlisle & Holbrooke series, which will move the timeline forward into the opening hostilities of the American Revolutionary War. This transition promises to put Carlisle's dual identity as a Virginian and a British officer to the ultimate test.