Craig Parshall Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Craig Parshall

If you are new to Craig Parshall's books, the absolute best place to begin is the Chambers of Justice series, starting with the debut novel, The Resurrection File (2002). As a constitutional lawyer in real life, Parshall brings unmatched realism to his courtroom scenes. This series serves as the cornerstone of his fiction career, introducing readers to his trademark formula: high-stakes legal investigations blended with deep, faith-driven personal struggles. Starting here allows you to watch the protagonist, attorney Will Chambers, grow both professionally and spiritually across five tightly written novels.

For readers who prefer prophetic or global political suspense, a secondary starting point is The End series, which Parshall co-authored with Left Behind creator Tim LaHaye. If you are more interested in supernatural elements and dark spiritual warfare, you can jump straight into the Trevor Black duology. Regardless of which genre you choose, Parshall's series are best read in order of publication to properly follow the character arcs and overarching plot lines.

Chambers of Justice Series in Order

The Chambers of Justice series is Craig Parshall's most famous work. It follows Will Chambers, a cynical and grieving defense attorney who finds himself handling cases that challenge his skepticism and force him to confront spiritual truths. You should read this series in strict publication order to follow Will's life, relationships, and evolving faith:

1. The Resurrection File (2002) – Will Chambers is hired to represent a mysterious whistleblower, uncovering a conspiracy that attempts to disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. Custody of the State (2003) – Will travels to a small town to defend a Christian couple whose children have been taken by state authorities, exposing systemic corruption.
3. The Accused (2003) – Will is pulled into an international legal battle when a prominent doctor is accused of helping terrorists, testing Will's commitment to justice.
4. Missing Witness (2004) – When a high-profile murder case hits close to home, Will must defend a friend while navigating political manipulation and hidden agendas.
5. The Last Judgment (2005) – In the final installment of the core series, Will defends a Christian leader accused of hate speech in a case that escalates to global proportions.

The Case of "Trial by Ordeal" (2006)

After completing the five core Will Chambers novels, Parshall published Trial by Ordeal in 2006. Many online retailers and databases group this book as the sixth volume in the Chambers of Justice series. However, readers should note that it is technically a standalone legal thriller set in the same gritty universe. It does not feature Will Chambers; instead, it follows characters like Kevin Hastings and attorney Dan Petranelli as they get caught in a dangerous legal conflict involving organized crime. It is worth reading for fans of the original series who want more of Parshall's legal suspense style.

The End Series (with Tim LaHaye)

Parshall teamed up with bestselling prophecy author Tim LaHaye to write this four-part apocalyptic thriller series. The books track global political, military, and economic crises through a prophetic lens. Because the series builds a continuous narrative of global escalation, reading them out of order is not recommended:

1. Edge of Apocalypse (2010)
2. Thunder of Heaven (2011)
3. Brink of Chaos (2012)
4. The Mark of Evil (2014)

Trevor Black Novels: Supernatural Suspense

In 2016, Parshall launched a new series featuring Trevor Black, a criminal defense attorney who receives a supernatural "gift" that allows him to see demonic forces. This series mixes traditional legal thriller elements with intense spiritual warfare, reminiscent of Frank Peretti's works. The two novels should be read in order:

1. The Occupied (2016) – Trevor Black begins seeing demons clinging to his clients, leading him to investigate a series of mysterious deaths in his old hometown.
2. The Empowered (2018) – Trevor's fight against demonic forces takes him from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans as he searches for his missing daughter and uncovers a trafficking ring.

Historical Fiction: The Thistle and the Cross Series

Co-authored with his wife, Janet Parshall, who is a well-known radio host and commentator, this series departs from modern legal settings to explore historical fiction. The trilogy is set during the turbulent times of the Scottish Reformation, following families fighting for religious freedom and navigating alliances with historical figures like John Knox. Read them in this order:

1. Crown of Fire (2005)
2. Captives and Kings (2007)
3. Sons of Glory (2008)

Standalone Novels and Non-Fiction

Beyond his major series, Parshall has written standalone fiction and contributed to non-fiction works:

• Traveling a Pilgrim's Path (2003) – A non-fiction parenting guide co-authored with Janet Parshall, utilizing themes from John Bunyan's classic The Pilgrim's Progress to help parents guide their children through modern moral challenges.
• The Rose Conspiracy (2009) – A standalone legal and historical thriller following law professor J.D. Blackstone as he defends a sculptor accused of murdering the head of the Smithsonian Institution over missing pages of John Wilkes Booth's diary.
• Israel, the Church, and the Middle East (2018) – A theological anthology edited by Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser, to which Parshall contributed a key chapter analyzing the legal standing of the modern state of Israel under international law.