Where to Begin Your Journey
If you are new to the fast-paced, science-heavy worlds of Douglas E. Richards, the best place to start is his breakout hit, Wired. This book established his signature style: combining near-future concepts, like cognitive enhancement and genetic editing, with high-stakes action. Alternatively, if you prefer stories focused on neural interfaces and mental powers, starting with Mind's Eye (the first book of the Nick Hall series) is an excellent gateway. For younger readers or families looking for a smart adventure, the Prometheus Project trilogy is the perfect starting point.
The Wired Series
The Wired series is what catapulted Richards to the top of the Kindle techno-thriller charts. It explores the fascinating and terrifying implications of engineered savant-like intelligence.
- Wired (2010) – Introduces genetic engineer Kira Miller and former Special Forces operative David Desh as they deal with a drug that can temporarily make a human a super-savant, but at a deadly cost.
- Amped (2012) – Kira and David return to face even greater global threats arising from advanced cognitive technologies.
The Nick Hall Series
For readers who love high-tech espionage and telepathic abilities, this series follows Nick Hall, a man who wakes up with a state-of-the-art biochip implanted in his brain, giving him direct mental access to the internet and the thoughts of others.
- Mind's Eye (2014)
- BrainWeb (2015)
- MindWar (2016)
- Unleashed (2024)
The Split Second Series
Richards tackles the complexities of time travel in this fast-paced duology. It explores the concept of sending messages or objects back in time by just a fraction of a second, and how this seemingly minor breakthrough could change the course of human history.
- Split Second (2015)
- Time Frame (2018)
The Alien Artifact Duology
Mixing archaeological sci-fi with temporal mechanics, this duology centers on the discovery of an ancient alien object that has been buried on Earth for millions of years.
- The Enigma Cube (2020)
- A Pivot In Time (2020)
The Collaborative Series
In recent years, Richards has expanded his horizons by collaborating with other prominent sci-fi authors, producing several interconnected multi-book series:
The Rift Series (with Joshua T. Calvert)
A gripping space-and-dimension exploration thriller following the discovery of anomalies across the cosmos.
- The Rift (2025)
- The Rift 2 (2025)
- The Rift 3 (2025)
Epic of Atlantis (with Brandon Ellis)
An action-oriented series blending ancient history, mythology, and futuristic technology.
- Echoes of Time (2025)
- Echoes of Deceit (2025)
- Echoes of the Fall (2026)
- Echoes of the Void (2026)
Frequency Series (with Joshua T. Calvert)
A thriller focused on mysterious signals and alien contact.
- Frequency (2026)
- Frequency 2 (2026)
The Near Future "Series" (Standalone Novels)
While many retailers and library catalogs group these books under the title "Near Future," they do not share characters or ongoing storylines. Instead, they are standalone novels sharing a thematic focus on near-future technologies. You can read them in any order you like:
- Quantum Lens (2014) – Focuses on quantum computing, extra dimensions, and human evolution.
- Game Changer (2016) – Explores virtual reality and advanced psychological manipulation.
- Infinity Born (2017) – Dives deep into artificial superintelligence and its threat to humanity.
- Seeker (2018) – Explores space exploration and the discovery of alien tech.
- Veracity (2019) – Focuses on a world where lying has become technologically impossible.
- Oracle (2019) – Explores precognition and predicting the future.
The Prometheus Project (Middle-Grade Sci-Fi)
Richards began his career writing science-inspired adventures for younger readers. The Prometheus Project follows siblings Ryan and Regan Resnick as they discover a secret subterranean city left behind by an ancient alien civilization.
- Trapped (2005)
- Captured (2007)
- Stranded (2012)
Other Standalone Novels
Beyond his themed standalones, Richards has written several independent thrillers that can be enjoyed entirely on their own:
- The Devil's Sword (2010)
- Ethan Pritcher, Body Switcher (2012)
- Out of This World (2012)
- The Cure (2013)
- The Immortality Code (2021)
- Unidentified (2021)
- Portals (2022)
- The Breakthrough Effect (2023)
- Nexus (2026) (with Joshua T. Calvert)