John Gilstrap Books in Order: The Complete Reading Guide
John Gilstrap has built his career around fast-moving thrillers, hostage rescues, fugitives, military operations, terrorism, and characters caught in situations where the usual rules no longer seem sufficient. His best-known character is Jonathan Grave, a former military operative who leads a specialized security team.
The Jonathan Grave books make up the largest part of Gilstrap’s bibliography, but they are not his only work. He has also written the Victoria Emerson post-apocalyptic trilogy, the five-part Nick of Time serial, the Irene Rivers thriller Burned Bridges, several standalone novels, and nonfiction.
John Gilstrap Books in Order by Series
For most readers, reading each series in publication order is the simplest approach. The series are largely independent, so you do not need to read Gilstrap’s entire bibliography chronologically before beginning Jonathan Grave or another series.
Jonathan Grave Books in Order
The Jonathan Grave series is Gilstrap’s longest-running thriller series. It follows Jonathan Grave, a former Delta Force operator who becomes a private hostage-rescue specialist. Gilstrap says the character grew out of his research for Six Minutes to Freedom, his nonfiction account of Kurt Muse’s rescue by Delta Force.
There are currently 18 main Jonathan Grave thrillers, plus the prequel novella Soft Targets. The author’s official bibliography lists Scorched Earth as the latest entry, published in 2026.
1. No Mercy (2009)
No Mercy introduces Jonathan Grave and his Security Solutions team as they take on a dangerous hostage-rescue mission. It establishes the characters, team dynamics, and moral code that shape the rest of the series.
2. Hostage Zero (2010)
Jonathan Grave is drawn into another hostage situation in which the immediate rescue mission quickly becomes connected to a much larger threat.
3. Threat Warning (2011)
Grave and his team face a situation where protecting innocent people requires more than simply getting them out alive.
4. Damage Control (2012)
A crisis involving political and personal stakes puts Grave’s team under pressure as they attempt to contain a situation that is rapidly becoming more dangerous.
5. High Treason (2013)
When the First Lady is kidnapped, Jonathan Grave becomes involved in a rescue operation with national consequences.
5.5. Soft Targets (2013)
Soft Targets is a Jonathan Grave prequel novella, rather than a full-length numbered novel. FBI Special Agent Irene Rivers turns to Jonathan Grave after her daughters are abducted, bringing the two characters together before Burned Bridges eventually made Rivers the central character of her own series.
Because it was published in 2013 and is commonly positioned as Jonathan Grave 5.5, it can be read after High Treason and before End Game.
6. End Game (2014)
Jonathan Grave confronts a deadly international threat after assassins eliminate a scientist whose knowledge could have serious consequences.
7. Against All Enemies (2015)
Grave and his team become involved in a dangerous conflict that pushes the series further into military and political thriller territory.
8. Friendly Fire (2016)
The line between friend and enemy becomes increasingly difficult to identify as Grave faces another high-risk operation.
9. Final Target (2017)
A new mission forces Jonathan Grave to deal with an enemy whose plans place both individuals and larger institutions at risk.
10. Scorpion Strike (2018)
Grave and his team face another international threat, combining the series’ familiar hostage-rescue elements with military action.
11. Total Mayhem (2019)
A rescue mission develops into a broader crisis, giving Grave and his team another opportunity to operate outside conventional military and law-enforcement channels.
12. Hellfire (2020)
Jonathan Grave is pulled into another dangerous operation in which the stakes quickly move beyond the original mission.
13. Stealth Attack (2021)
The series continues its combination of covert operations, tactical action, and high-stakes rescue missions.
14. Lethal Game (2022)
Also published under the title Lethal Prey in some listings, this installment places Jonathan Grave in another deadly confrontation where the distinction between hunter and target becomes increasingly important.
15. Harm’s Way (2023)
Grave and his team take on another mission that puts their skills, loyalty, and willingness to act outside normal procedures to the test.
16. Zero Sum (2024)
Jonathan Grave becomes involved in the consequences of America’s war on drugs after a child dies from fentanyl disguised as candy at Resurrection House, the school he established for children of incarcerated parents.
17. Scorched Earth (2026)
In the latest Jonathan Grave thriller, a disgraced former U.S. president has been removed from office, while people associated with him begin targeting perceived enemies. Grave and his Security Solutions team become targets themselves as the violence escalates.
Note: Some databases number the series differently because Soft Targets is a novella and is commonly designated 5.5, leaving High Treason as Book 5 and End Game as Book 6. The author’s official site lists the full-length novels separately and identifies Soft Targets as a prequel novella.
Victoria Emerson Books in Order
The Victoria Emerson trilogy moves away from the conventional military-thriller setting and into post-apocalyptic survival. The central character is a congresswoman trying to lead survivors after a nuclear catastrophe.
1. Crimson Phoenix (2021)
Victoria Emerson must survive the aftermath of nuclear war while attempting to protect the people around her and preserve some form of organized society.
2. Blue Fire (2022)
The struggle for survival continues as Victoria and the people following her confront new dangers in a fractured America.
3. White Smoke (2023)
The trilogy concludes as Victoria Emerson’s group faces another stage of the struggle to survive and rebuild.
The three books should be read in publication order: Crimson Phoenix, Blue Fire, then White Smoke.
Nick of Time Books in Order
Nick of Time is slightly different from Gilstrap’s other series. It was originally released as a five-part serialized ebook in 2016, with a new installment appearing every two weeks. The complete story was later published as a single volume.
1. Time to Run (2016)
Seventeen-year-old Nicki Janssen, facing a serious illness, decides to take control of her remaining time. Her journey becomes complicated when Alex Ward, a dangerous escaped convict and her childhood crush, re-enters her life.
2. Time to Hide (2016)
Nicki and Alex are forced to deal with the consequences of being on the run as the danger surrounding them intensifies.
3. Time to Steal (2016)
The fugitives become involved in another dangerous stage of their escape, raising the stakes of their increasingly desperate situation.
4. Time to Die (2016)
The pursuit becomes even more dangerous as the characters are forced to make decisions with potentially fatal consequences.
5. Time to Live (2016)
The fifth installment brings the serialized story to its conclusion.
Alternative: You can also read Nick of Time as a single-volume novel rather than reading the five individual installments. The author’s website confirms that the five parts were eventually collected into one book.
Irene Rivers Books in Order
Irene Rivers first appeared in Soft Targets as an FBI Special Agent before becoming the central character of her own thriller series.
1. Burned Bridges (2025)
Burned Bridges introduces Irene Rivers, a former FBI Director whose code name is Wolverine. The novel begins a new series centered on Rivers and her efforts to protect her family from new threats.
Although Burned Bridges is the first Irene Rivers novel, readers who want to see the character’s earlier connection with Jonathan Grave can read Soft Targets first.
John Gilstrap’s Standalone Novels in Order
Before Jonathan Grave became the defining character of his bibliography, Gilstrap published four standalone thrillers.
1. Nathan’s Run (1996)
Gilstrap’s first published novel follows a 12-year-old boy who escapes from a juvenile detention facility after being falsely accused of killing a police officer.
2. At All Costs (1998)
A family with a carefully hidden past is forced to confront that past when events threaten to expose who they really are.
3. Even Steven (2000)
A standalone thriller that shows Gilstrap working outside the Jonathan Grave framework while retaining his interest in danger, pursuit, and high-pressure situations.
4. Scott Free (2003)
Gilstrap’s fourth standalone novel before he moved into his later series-focused work.
These four novels were published between 1996 and 2003 and are generally treated as standalone works rather than parts of an ongoing series.
Six Minutes to Freedom
Six Minutes to Freedom (2006)
Co-written with Kurt Muse, Six Minutes to Freedom is Gilstrap’s nonfiction account of Muse’s imprisonment in Panama and his eventual rescue by Delta Force. The book is particularly interesting for readers who want to understand where Gilstrap’s knowledge of military rescue operations and the inspiration for Jonathan Grave came from.
Gilstrap describes it as his first and probably last book-length nonfiction work.
John Gilstrap’s Collaborative and Other Works
Gilstrap has also participated in collaborative fiction and anthology projects. These are worth knowing about if you want a genuinely complete picture of his bibliography, but they are not necessary to understand his principal series.
The Chopin Manuscript (2007)
A collaborative thriller created by multiple authors, with Gilstrap contributing a chapter.
The Copper Bracelet (2009)
Another collaborative novel connected to the Chopin Manuscript project, with Gilstrap contributing a chapter.
Fresh Kills (2010)
An anthology featuring stories from several authors, including Gilstrap’s short story “In The After.”
The author’s official bibliography identifies these works under “Other Work” rather than placing them among his primary solo series.
Where Should You Start with John Gilstrap?
For most readers interested in Gilstrap’s signature thriller style, No Mercy is the natural starting point because it introduces Jonathan Grave and his team. It also gives you the foundation for the longest-running series in his bibliography.
If you prefer a post-apocalyptic thriller, start with Crimson Phoenix. If you want a shorter serialized story, Nick of Time offers a very different format. And if you are interested in Irene Rivers after encountering her in the Jonathan Grave universe, Soft Targets provides useful background before Burned Bridges.
You can also begin with Nathan’s Run if you want to see Gilstrap’s early work before he developed the Jonathan Grave series.
Jonathan Grave vs. Victoria Emerson vs. Nick of Time
The three established series offer noticeably different reading experiences:
| Series | Books | Main focus |
| Jonathan Grave | 18 novels + 1 novella | Hostage rescue, military action, terrorism, political and international threats |
| Victoria Emerson | 3 | Nuclear catastrophe, survival, leadership, rebuilding |
| Nick of Time | 5 serialized parts / 1 complete novel | Fugitive thriller, survival, crime and romance |
| Irene Rivers | 1 so far | FBI, family, threats and political thriller elements |
The Jonathan Grave series is by far the longest, while the Victoria Emerson trilogy gives readers a complete three-book story. The Nick of Time installments should be viewed as parts of one serialized novel rather than five unrelated stories.
Frequently Asked Questions About John Gilstrap Books
What is the first John Gilstrap book?
John Gilstrap’s first published novel is Nathan’s Run, released in 1996. It is a standalone thriller rather than the beginning of the Jonathan Grave series.
What is the first Jonathan Grave book?
No Mercy, published in 2009, is the first Jonathan Grave thriller. It introduces Jonathan Grave and his Security Solutions team.
How many Jonathan Grave books are there?
There are currently 18 full-length Jonathan Grave novels, from No Mercy through Scorched Earth, plus the prequel novella Soft Targets.
Is Soft Targets part of the Jonathan Grave series?
Yes. Soft Targets is a Jonathan Grave prequel novella and is commonly designated Book 5.5. It was published in 2013 and is best read around the middle of the series rather than treated as a separate standalone.
Is Nick of Time one book or five books?
Both descriptions can be correct. Nick of Time was originally released as five serialized ebook installments: Time to Run, Time to Hide, Time to Steal, Time to Die, and Time to Live. The complete story was later released as a single volume.
What is John Gilstrap’s newest book?
As of 2026, Gilstrap’s newest book is Scorched Earth, the latest Jonathan Grave thriller. His official site lists it as a 2026 release.
Should I read John Gilstrap’s books in publication order?
You do not need to read every Gilstrap book in chronological publication order. The practical approach is to choose the series that interests you and read that series from its first book. For Jonathan Grave, begin with No Mercy; for Victoria Emerson, begin with Crimson Phoenix; and for Irene Rivers, begin with Burned Bridges.
Final Thoughts
John Gilstrap’s bibliography is much broader than the Jonathan Grave novels that made his name with thriller readers. His early standalone books show where his career began, Six Minutes to Freedom provides nonfiction background for the military-rescue elements that later shaped Jonathan Grave, and his Victoria Emerson and Nick of Time books demonstrate how differently he can approach the thriller genre.
For a complete journey through his major fiction, the simplest route is to read each series from its first book in publication order. If you become particularly interested in Irene Rivers, adding Soft Targets before Burned Bridges gives you an earlier look at a character who crossed into Gilstrap’s newer series.
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