The Recommended Reading Path
For readers diving into the work of Dalton Fury (the pseudonym of the late Major Thomas Greer), the best approach is to start with his groundbreaking non-fiction memoir before transitioning to his fictional series. Beginning with his real-world experiences provides valuable context and helps you appreciate the extreme realism he injected into his novels.
1. Start with the Non-Fiction Foundation
- Kill Bin Laden: A Delta Force Commander’s Account of the Hunt for the World’s Most Wanted Man (2008) – A gripping, firsthand account of the Battle of Tora Bora in 2001, where Greer commanded the ground force hunt for Osama bin Laden.
2. Follow the Kolt Raynor (Delta Force) Fiction Series
Once you are grounded in the real-world tactics, transition to the fictional universe of Kolt "Racer" Raynor, a disgraced Delta Force operator who continually fights for redemption on high-stakes, off-the-books missions.
Kolt Raynor Series in Recommended Reading Order
- Black Site (2012) – The debut thriller that introduces Kolt Raynor on a desperate mission to rescue former teammates in Pakistan.
- Tier One Wild (2012) – A high-octane race to secure stolen American nuclear warheads before they fall into terrorists' hands.
- Full Assault Mode (2014) – Raynor must thwart a sophisticated plot targeting domestic nuclear power plants.
- One Killer Force (2015) – A deadly clash of elite units as Raynor goes head-to-head with a rogue military commander.
- All Lines Black (Novella, 2017) – Often designated as Book #4.5, this short but intense story acts as a vital bridge between the fourth and final novels.
- Execute Authority (2017) – The final novel in the series, wrapping up Raynor's journey with a high-stakes conspiracy.
Chronological vs. Publication Order Caveats
Because Dalton Fury's bibliography is tightly focused, chronological order and publication order align almost perfectly. The only minor point of confusion is the novella All Lines Black. Published in June 2017, it arrived just a few months before the final full-length novel, Execute Authority (released in September 2017). Chronologically, the events of All Lines Black occur directly after One Killer Force, making it the perfect piece to read between books 4 and 5.
What to Know Before You Start
Unmatched Authenticity: Unlike many military thrillers written by civilian enthusiasts, Fury’s work is deeply authentic. Having spent 15 years in Delta Force and serving as a commander, Greer writes with a level of tactical precision and understanding of command structures that few others can match. He also served as a military advisor for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare video game franchise, further demonstrating his expertise.
Continuous Character Arc: The Kolt Raynor novels are not true standalones. Raynor's career trajectory, personal struggles, and relationships evolve significantly from one book to the next. Reading them out of order will spoil major plot points and diminish the impact of his character arc.
A Fitting Conclusion: Major Thomas Greer passed away from pancreatic cancer in October 2016. His final works, All Lines Black and Execute Authority, were published posthumously in 2017, serving as a powerful tribute to his legacy as both a soldier and a writer.