Where to Start with Chris Ryan
With dozens of novels, multiple long-running series, and a selection of real-world military survival books, diving into Chris Ryan's bibliography can feel like entering a tactical minefield. Fortunately, his work is organized into distinct series that make it easy to find your footing. How you start depends entirely on what kind of adrenaline rush you are looking for:
- For Real-Life Combat Survival: Start with his landmark non-fiction book, The One That Got Away (1995). It is the gripping, real-life account of Ryan's 300-kilometer escape through the Iraqi desert during the Gulf War as the sole survivor of the ill-fated Bravo Two Zero patrol.
- For Modern Military Action: Start with the Danny Black series, beginning with Masters of War (2013). This series represents Ryan's signature blend of hyper-realistic military tradecraft and global conspiracy.
- For Classic SAS Suspense: Start with his debut fiction series featuring Geordie Sharp, beginning with Stand By, Stand By (1996). This series laid the groundwork for the modern military thriller genre.
- For Teen or Reluctant Readers: Start with the Agent 21 series, beginning with Agent 21 (2010), or the popular Alpha Force books.
The Danny Black Series
The Danny Black series is widely considered Chris Ryan's premier action-thriller saga. It follows SAS operative Danny Black as he is deployed to the world's most dangerous conflict zones, dealing with grey-area missions where the line between ally and enemy is constantly blurred. To follow Danny's character arc properly, you should read these in publication order:
- Masters of War (2013)
- Hunter-Killer (2014)
- Murder Team (2015) — Note: Often numbered as Book 2.5, this is a short novella that bridges the gap between Hunter-Killer and Hellfire.
- Hellfire (2015)
- Bad Soldier (2016)
- Warlord (2017)
- Head Hunters (2018)
- Black Ops (2019)
- Zero 22 (2021)
The Strike Back Series (John Porter)
Famous for inspiring the hit television adaptation, the Strike Back series follows SAS soldier John Porter. There is a chronological caveat to keep in mind here: the original 2007 novel Strike Back stands alone as the anchor of the series, while the novels published starting in 2016 are prequels detailing John Porter's earlier black-ops career. Readers can comfortably enjoy them in publication order:
- Strike Back (2007)
- Deathlist (2016)
- Shadow Kill (2017)
- Global Strike (2018)
- Red Strike (2019)
- Circle of Death (2020)
Classic Series: Geordie Sharp & Matt Browning
Before Danny Black and John Porter, Chris Ryan built his fictional universe on the backs of two major protagonists. The Geordie Sharp books were Ryan's first foray into fiction and are highly recommended for fans of classic 1990s military operations. The Matt Browning books shift the focus slightly toward the world of private security and financial greed.
Geordie Sharp Books
- Stand By, Stand By (1996)
- Zero Option (1997)
- The Kremlin Device (1998)
- Tenth Man Down (1999)
Matt Browning Books
- Greed (2003)
- The Increment (2011)
Recent Series: Josh Bowman & David Hawkins
In recent years, Chris Ryan has launched new series that carry his trademark grit into the 2020s. These are excellent starting points for readers looking for contemporary tactical thrillers.
Josh Bowman Books
- Manhunter (2021) — Introduces Josh Bowman, a battle-scarred soldier recruited into a highly classified, deniable unit within the SAS.
David Hawkins Books
- Second Strike (2025) — Introduces David Hawkins, an ex-SAS soldier navigating the murky waters of private defense contracting and industrial espionage.
- Breakout (2026) — Hawkins is recruited by MI6 to infiltrate a dangerous group of international mercenaries plotting a major heist.
Young Adult & Reluctant Reader series
Chris Ryan has successfully adapted his military knowledge and high-adrenaline plotting for younger readers. These series feature youthful protagonists facing survival situations and international espionage, emphasizing teamwork and quick thinking.
Alpha Force Books
This ten-book series follows a group of teenagers who meet at an outdoor survival camp and form a highly skilled, covert team. The books should be read in order:
- Survival (2002)
- Rat-Catcher (2002)
- Desert Pursuit (2003)
- Hostage (2003)
- Red Centre (2004)
- Hunted (2004)
- Blood Money (2005)
- Fault Line (2005)
- Black Gold (2005)
- Untouchable (2005)
Agent 21 Books
Zak Darke is recruited by a mysterious government agency after a family tragedy, becoming a teenage operative known as Agent 21.
- Agent 21 (2010)
- Reloaded (2012)
- Codebreaker (2013)
- The Wire (2013) — Note: A novella bridging Codebreaker and Deadfall.
- Deadfall (2014)
- Under Cover (2015)
- Endgame (2016)
Code Red Books
This series features teenager Ben Fletcher as he finds himself caught in a series of natural disasters and high-stakes survival scenarios.
- Flash Flood (2006)
- Wildfire (2007)
- Outbreak (2007)
- Vortex (2008)
- Twister (2008)
- Battleground (2009)
Special Forces Cadets Books
A fast-paced series following a group of elite cadets trained by the SAS.
- Siege (2018)
- Missing (2019)
- Justice (2019)
- Ruthless (2020)
- Hijack (2020)
- Assassin (2021)
What to Know Before You Start: The "Tattered Souls" Database Error
When researching Chris Ryan's bibliography online, you will frequently find a series or anthology listed under his name called Tattered Souls (2007) and Tattered Souls II (2011). It is important to know that this is a common database error. The Tattered Souls books are actually horror anthologies featuring a short story by a horror author who happens to share the name Chris Ryan. They have no connection to the former SAS operative or his military thrillers, and readers looking for his signature military fiction should skip them.