Where to Start with Connor Sullivan
If you are new to Connor Sullivan's cinematic thrillers, you have two excellent entry points depending on what type of experience you are looking for. Because his work is split between a standalone debut and an ongoing series, getting started is straightforward:
- For the award-winning debut: Start with Sleeping Bear (2021). This is a completely standalone thriller that introduced Sullivan to the literary world. It is the perfect showcase of his ability to blend survival elements in the rugged wilderness with international geopolitical conspiracies.
- For an ongoing espionage series: Start with Wolf Trap (2023). This book introduces Brian Rhome, a former CIA Ground Branch paramilitary officer, and serves as the launchpad for Sullivan's first recurring character series.
Connor Sullivan Books in Publication Order
For readers who want to experience the author's growth and progression as a storyteller, reading in publication order is highly recommended. Because his books do not have overlapping timelines outside of the Brian Rhome series, publication order matches the ideal chronological progression perfectly:
- Sleeping Bear (2021)
- Wolf Trap (2023)
- Red Falcon (2026)
The Brian Rhome Series
The Brian Rhome books represent Connor Sullivan's main sequence. Rhome is a classic thriller protagonist: highly trained, deeply scarred, and trying to leave his past behind when global events drag him back into the fray.
1. Wolf Trap (2023)
After a tragic mission, former CIA Ground Branch operative Brian Rhome has retreated to a quiet life in the Montana wilderness. However, his isolation is shattered when a sophisticated, coordinated assault targets the heart of American democracy. Forced out of hiding, Rhome must rely on his deadly training to stop a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of global power. The novel is widely praised for its authentic military details, rapid pacing, and survivalist atmosphere.
2. Red Falcon (2026)
The story continues in the high-stakes sequel, Red Falcon. When multiple NATO scientists and American intelligence assets are systematically assassinated, Brian Rhome is called back into action. Rhome's investigation plunges him into the mystery surrounding devastating weapons linked to Havana Syndrome. The pursuit takes him across the globe in a race to prevent a catastrophic conflict between major superpowers.
The Standalone Novels
Outside of the Brian Rhome series, Connor Sullivan has written a critically acclaimed standalone novel that remains a favorite among thriller enthusiasts.
Sleeping Bear (2021)
Cassie Gale, a grieving former Army veteran, goes on a solo camping trip in the remote Alaskan wilderness to escape her demons. When she vanishes without a trace, her father refuses to believe she is dead and launches his own search. What starts as a wilderness survival story quickly spirals into a dark, high-stakes international conspiracy involving rogue Russian operatives. This debut won the Barry Award for Best First Mystery/Crime Novel and established Sullivan as a major new voice in the genre.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone and Legacy
Connor Sullivan's thrillers are frequently compared to the work of masters like Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, and Jack Carr. Readers should expect cinematic pacing, explosive action sequences, and high-fidelity descriptions of modern military and intelligence operations. Sullivan draws heavily from his creative writing background at the University of Southern California and his experience reading screenplays at Warner Brothers to craft stories that feel ready for the big screen.
It is also worth noting that Connor is the son of best-selling thriller author Mark T. Sullivan (co-author of the Jack Reacher-adjacent stories and acclaimed historical novels like Beneath a Scarlet Sky). While Connor has established his own distinct, modern voice in military espionage, the family legacy of tight pacing and high emotional stakes is clear across all his books.