Where to Start Reading Daniel M. Ford
Daniel M. Ford has built a reputation in modern genre fiction by writing stories that feel both classic and refreshing. Because his books span completely different genres—high epic fantasy, cozy-yet-gritty necromantic mystery, and contemporary noir—the best starting point depends entirely on what kind of reader you are.
If you love character-driven fantasy with a touch of humor, unique magic systems, and a mystery-of-the-week flavor, start with The Warden (2023). It is the first book in his popular series following Aelis de Lenti, a young necromancer who is sent to a remote village to serve as its magic-using protector. This series has quickly become Ford's most widely recognized work, striking a perfect balance between lighthearted character dynamics and darker magical threats.
If you prefer a massive, classic epic fantasy saga, your ideal starting point is Ordination (2016), the opening volume of the Paladin Trilogy. Spanning roughly 700,000 words across three books, this series is a heavy-hitting tale of knights, gods, war-weary soldiers, and a dark world in desperate need of hope. It is a traditional fantasy epic written with modern sensibilities and deep character focus.
If you are in the mood for hard-boiled crime fiction rather than swords and spells, you should start with Body Broker (2019). This is the debut of the Jack Dixon series, featuring a Delaware-based private investigator who uses his former professional wrestler background to solve gritty street-level cases. It is fast-paced, witty, and offers a complete change of pace from Ford's fantasy universes.
Daniel M. Ford Books in Publication Order
For readers who prefer to watch an author's style develop over time, following the publication order is a great option. Daniel M. Ford has published his novels in distinct blocks, completing one series or phase before moving on to the next. Here is the complete list of his novels in order of publication:
- Ordination (2016) – The Paladin Trilogy, Book 1
- Stillbright (2017) – The Paladin Trilogy, Book 2
- Crusade (2018) – The Paladin Trilogy, Book 3
- Body Broker (2019) – Jack Dixon Books, Book 1
- Cheap Heat (2020) – Jack Dixon Books, Book 2
- The Warden (2023) – The Warden Series, Book 1
- Necrobane (2024) – The Warden Series, Book 2
- Advocate (2025) – The Warden Series, Book 3
Deep Dive: The Three Distinct Series
1. The Warden Series
The Warden series is a fantasy-mystery hybrid that centers on Aelis de Lenti, a young woman of noble birth who has trained in the art of necromancy. Instead of using her powers for typical dark lord activities, Aelis is hired by the crown as a Warden — essentially a magical law enforcement officer and civil servant. Her posting in the rural, isolated village of Lone Pine forces her to adapt her academic magical training to the practical, sometimes messy needs of a suspicious local populace.
The series must be read in order, as each book builds directly on the consequences of the previous entry:
- The Warden (2023): Introduces Aelis as she arrives in Lone Pine, deals with rural superstitions, solves local issues, and uncovers a dangerous magical conspiracy hidden beneath the surface.
- Necrobane (2024): Picks up immediately after the high-stakes cliffhanger ending of the first book. Aelis must deal with the immediate aftermath of a necromantic threat she accidentally unleashed, forcing her to make difficult choices to protect her new home.
- Advocate (2025): Shifts the setting back to the major city of Lascenise. Aelis is drawn away from her rural post to clear the name of her former mentor in a complex investigation involving magic, murder, and high-society intrigue.
2. The Paladin Trilogy
Published by the Santa Fe Writers Project, the Paladin Trilogy is Daniel M. Ford's debut fantasy epic. The story takes place in a war-torn medieval world and follows Allystaire Coldbourne, a veteran knight who has grown cynical and tired after years of endless combat. When he is unexpectedly chosen by a long-forgotten goddess to become her champion, Allystaire is forced to take up his sword once more, gathering allies to bring order and light back to a broken land.
The trilogy is a single continuous story and must be read sequentially:
- Ordination (2016): Establishes Allystaire's transformation from a broken knight into the world's first Paladin in centuries.
- Stillbright (2017): Focuses on Allystaire as he builds a sanctuary and attempts to defend his growing followers from the dark forces seeking to extinguish the goddess's light.
- Crusade (2018): The final confrontation where Allystaire and his companions launch a final campaign to secure peace for their world.
3. The Jack Dixon Mystery Series
For something entirely different, Daniel M. Ford wrote two hard-boiled mystery novels set in the Mid-Atlantic region. The protagonist, Jack Dixon, is a private detective with a colorful past as a professional wrestler. This background gives him both the physical presence and the street smarts necessary to navigate Delaware's criminal underbelly.
- Body Broker (2019): Dixon is hired to track down a missing girl, leading him into a dangerous web of corporate corruption and local gangs.
- Cheap Heat (2020): Dixon takes on a case that hits closer to home, dealing with the local independent wrestling circuit and a conspiracy that threatens his community.
Chronological Order and Continuity Caveats
One of the most practical aspects of Daniel M. Ford's bibliography is that there are no complex chronological reading orders to worry about. The Warden series, the Paladin Trilogy, and the Jack Dixon mystery novels take place in entirely separate universes. There are no shared settings, crossover characters, or hidden connections that require you to bounce between different series.
Therefore, your only rule of thumb is to read the books within each individual series in their numerical order. Reading Necrobane before The Warden, or Stillbright before Ordination, will result in major plot spoilers and significant confusion.
What to Know Before You Start
Daniel M. Ford brings a unique set of influences to his writing. He is a former high school English teacher and a poet with a Master's degree in Irish Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing. Because of this, his prose often features a rhythmic, poetic quality that stands out in the fantasy genre. He focuses heavily on character development, interpersonal relationships, and internal struggles, rather than just raw action or exposition dumps.
Additionally, Ford is an avid tabletop roleplayer, and readers will spot subtle nods to Dungeons & Dragons rules and magic systems throughout his fantasy novels, especially in how spellcasting and paladin oaths are structured in The Warden and the Paladin Trilogy. Despite the gritty combat and occasional horror elements (particularly the undead in his necromancer stories), his works are ultimately defined by a strong sense of hope, community, and the importance of protecting others.