The Recommended Reading Order for Craig N. Hooper's Books
For readers diving into the world of Craig N. Hooper, the reading order is straightforward and matches the order in which the books were published. Because the series follows the personal evolution, career shifts, and ongoing custody struggles of protagonist Garrison Chase, reading the books in order is highly recommended to appreciate the overarching character arcs and recurring relationships.
Garrison Chase Series in Publication and Chronological Order
- The Greatest Good (2018)
- A Thin Line (2019)
- All The Good Men (2020)
- The Baja Directive (2022)
- Night Night Killer (2023)
In addition to individual releases, a box set compilation of the first three novels (The Greatest Good, A Thin Line, and All the Good Men) was released in 2020, offering a convenient starting package for new fans of the series.
Understanding the Garrison Chase Universe
Craig N. Hooper's thrillers stand out in the crowded suspense genre by focusing on character-driven narratives, realistic stakes, and a welcome absence of excessive gore. Before you begin your reading journey, here is what you need to know about the protagonist and his world.
Who is Garrison Chase?
Garrison Chase is a former black-ops sniper who transitioned into a career as an FBI agent specializing in cybercrimes. Unlike typical invincible thriller heroes, Chase is deeply human. Throughout the series, he struggles with the moral complexities of his past, the bureaucratic limitations of law enforcement, and highly relatable personal struggles, such as maintaining custody of his young son. This vulnerability adds a layer of emotional depth that grounds the explosive action sequences.
Key Supporting Characters
As you progress through the series, several recurring characters shape Chase's journey:
- Karla: Chase's sharp-witted and reliable partner, who helps him navigate both official investigations and off-the-books trouble.
- Eva: Chase's supportive girlfriend, who provides stability amidst the chaos of his professional life.
- Slim: A trusted partner who joins Chase during his time working in the private sector.
- Ramona Sanchez: An FBI agent who assists Chase during the complex political conspiracies of the third novel.
Garrison Chase: Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. The Greatest Good (2018)
The series begins with The Greatest Good, introducing us to a suspended Garrison Chase trying to salvage his FBI career after a year-long suspension for insubordination. He is assigned what should be a straightforward protection detail for the California governor's son. However, things quickly spiral out of control when his home is broken into, he is detained by police, and the governor's son is shot. Forced off the case, Chase launches an unofficial investigation to uncover a conspiracy tied to his secret black-ops past, all while fighting a custody battle for his son.
2. A Thin Line (2019)
Picking up after the traumatic events of the debut, A Thin Line sees Chase struggling to clear his name while facing intense pressure from powerful enemies who want him silenced. When a close friend is brutally beaten, Chase goes on the hunt for the culprits. The investigation pulls him into a high-stakes conspiracy surrounding a presidential candidate, forcing him to walk a fine line between justice and survival.
3. All The Good Men (2020)
In this third installment, Chase is operating as a subcontractor for a private investigation firm in Washington, D.C., representing elite, high-profile clients. What looks like a tragic murder-suicide case quickly reveals itself to be a staged cover-up. Joined by his partner Slim and FBI agent Ramona Sanchez, Chase is thrust into a dangerous political conspiracy that tests his investigative skills and puts his life on the line.
4. The Baja Directive (2022)
Seeking some peace and quiet after his D.C. exploits, Chase is interrupted by an unsanctioned, off-the-books visit from the President of the United States. The President asks Chase to discreetly eliminate a ruthless criminal running a human trafficking ring masked by a legal immigration program. Chase takes the assignment, only to find himself fighting for survival against highly trained gun-runners in the jungles of Mexico with no official backup.
5. Night Night Killer (2023)
In the fifth novel, Chase is hired to extract a true-crime podcaster from Mexico who holds evidence that could identify a notorious serial killer. The extraction goes horribly wrong when they are ambushed. Chase wakes up to find his client dead, the evidence gone, and himself framed for murder. Going completely off the grid, Chase must hunt down the killer while evading law enforcement and corrupt figures on both sides of the border.
Practical Reader Advice
Where is the best place to start?
You should absolutely start with the first book, The Greatest Good. Because Garrison Chase's career path changes significantly—moving from the FBI to private investigation contracting—and his personal custody battles evolve across the timeline, starting anywhere else will spoil major plot points and lessen the emotional weight of his journey.
Can the books be read as standalones?
While each book features a self-contained primary mystery or mission, the emotional core and character relationships carry over directly from one novel to the next. If you read them out of order, you will miss the context of why Chase is working in specific locations, how his relationships with Eva and Karla develop, and the resolution of his family issues.
What is Craig N. Hooper's writing style like?
Hooper's background as an educator and former surfer informs his writing. His novels are highly cinematic, featuring fast-paced, realistic hand-to-hand combat and tight plotting, but they avoid the excessive gore and cynicism common in modern thriller fiction. The books offer an authentic look at law enforcement struggles while maintaining a friendly, accessible, and suspenseful tone.