David Nees Books in Order

Where to Start with David Nees

David Nees has built a dedicated readership across two distinct genres: gritty post-apocalyptic survival fiction and fast-paced assassin thrillers. Because these universes do not overlap, your starting point depends entirely on which genre you want to explore first:

• For Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic Fans: Start with After the Fall: Jason's Tale (2016). This is Nees's debut novel and the beginning of his signature EMP survival saga.
• For Action and Thriller Fans: Start with Payback (2017). This book introduces Dan Stone, a former military marksman turned lethal vigilante, and kicks off an ongoing, high-stakes thriller series.

The After the Fall Universe

Nees's post-apocalyptic saga paints a stark, realistic portrait of societal collapse in the wake of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack. The story is split into two primary threads: the main Jason's Tale sequence and the parallel Catherine's Tale companion novels. To avoid spoilers and maintain narrative momentum, it is highly recommended to read the main series first before diving into the companion books.

The Main Jason's Tale Sequence

This core narrative follows Jason, a resourceful loner navigating the Appalachian wilderness and seeking to protect his community in a lawless, devastated America. These books must be read in strict publication order, as they form a continuous story:

1. Jason's Tale (2016) – Jason's initial survival journey and the fight to secure a safe haven.
2. Uprising (2019) – The struggle intensifies as local communities attempt to rebuild and defend themselves.
3. Rescue (2019) – Jason and his allies face external threats while seeking to save captured survivors.
4. Undercover (2019) – Infiltration tactics are required as the stakes rise against powerful regional factions.
5. Escape (2021) – The survivors face their ultimate test to secure long-term safety in a fractured world.

The Parallel Companion: Catherine's Tale

Set in the same post-collapse world, this two-part spin-off runs parallel to the events of Jason's Tale but shifts the perspective to Catherine. It explores the rise of a brutal criminal regime in the town of Hillsboro and how the collapse affects younger survivors. The best way to read these is immediately after finishing the first book, or as a companion duology after finishing the main Jason's Tale sequence:

1. Catherine's Tale, Part 1 (2017)
2. Catherine's Tale, Part 2 (2017)

The Dan Stone Assassin Series

For readers who enjoy revenge thrillers in the vein of Lee Child's Jack Reacher or Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, the Dan Stone series delivers relentless pacing and global conspiracies. The series begins as a personal quest for vengeance against the mafia before evolving into international covert operations where Dan Stone is recruited to handle global threats.

While each book features a self-contained mission or mystery, Dan's personal life, professional alliances, and emotional scars develop continuously. For this reason, reading the series in publication order is strongly recommended:

1. Payback (2017) – Dan Stone goes off-grid to exact vengeance on the criminal underworld after a personal tragedy.
2. The Shaman (2018) – High-stakes action meets mysticism when Dan is drawn into a rescue mission in the rugged wilderness.
3. The Captive Girl (2019) – A rescue operation spirals into a conspiracy involving human trafficking.
4. The Assassin and the Pianist (2020) – Dan protects a target while navigating a web of espionage.
5. Death in the Congo (2020) – The action shifts to Africa as Dan takes on a dangerous jungle operation.
6. The Scorpion (2022) – A deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a rival operative.
7. Rogue Mission (2023) – Dan operates outside official channels to stop an imminent threat.
8. The Revenger (2023) – Old grudges resurface, forcing Dan to take proactive measures.
9. The Orphan Girl (2024) – A protective detail turns into an international race against time.
10. Kidnap (2025) – Dan is called in by the CIA after a politically sensitive kidnapping threatens European security.

What to Know Before You Start

David Nees's background as an educator, business owner, and motorcycle racer heavily influences the technical details in his novels—from the mechanics of survival gear and off-road travel to the tactical realities of firearm use and tactical driving. Because Nees publishes independently, his release schedule is highly disciplined, often yielding multiple releases in a single year.

There are no overlapping characters between After the Fall and the Dan Stone books, meaning you can jump between the two series at your leisure without worrying about cross-series continuity. However, within each series, characters age, build relationships, and reference past events, making chronological order the absolute best way to experience his work.