Women's Murder Club
thriller
Series · thriller
Scot Harvath
The Scot Harvath series by Brad Thor has 26 books and is best read in publication order, starting with The Lions of Lucerne (2002).
- Books
- 25 novels + 1 novella
- First published
- 2002
- Status
- ongoing
- Last checked
Start here: The Lions of Lucerne (2002) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The order the books were released — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
The Lions of Lucerne
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Lions of Lucerne - Book 2:
Path of the Assassin
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Path of the Assassin - Book 3:
State of the Union
Alternative text for cover: Cover of State of the Union - Book 4:
Blowback
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Blowback - Book 5:
Takedown
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Takedown - Book 6:
The First Commandment
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The First Commandment - Book 7:
The Last Patriot
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Last Patriot - Book 8:
The Apostle
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Apostle - Book 9:
Foreign Influence
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Foreign Influence - Book 10:
Full Black
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Full Black - Book 11:
Black List
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Black List - Book 12:
Free Fall
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Free Fall - Book 13:
Hidden Order
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Hidden Order - Book 14:
Act of War
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Act of War - Book 15:
Code of Conduct
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Code of Conduct - Book 16:
Foreign Agent
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Foreign Agent - Book 17:
Use of Force
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Use of Force - Book 18:
Spymaster
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Spymaster - Book 19:
Backlash
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Backlash - Book 20:
Near Dark
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Near Dark - Book 21:
Black Ice
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Black Ice - Book 22:
Rising Tiger
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Rising Tiger - Book 23:
Dead Fall
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dead Fall - Book 24:
Shadow of Doubt
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shadow of Doubt - Book 25:
Edge of Honor
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Edge of Honor - Book 26:
Choke Point
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Choke Point
About the Scot Harvath series
Scot Harvath is a former Navy SEAL turned covert counterterrorism operative, first for the Secret Service and then for a series of increasingly off-the-books agencies as Brad Thor's politics catch up with the real world. Each novel drops Harvath into a plot ripped from the defense-and-intelligence headlines — Islamist terror cells, rogue nuclear material, Chinese and Russian espionage, cartel violence, biological weapons — and follows him from Washington situation rooms to gunfights on four continents as he works outside the rules to stop it. Thor, a former counterterrorism consultant, researches each book with special-operations and intelligence sources and treats the tradecraft, weapons and geopolitics as close to real as a thriller can get, which is a large part of the series' appeal to readers who want their action grounded rather than cartoonish.
Launched with The Lions of Lucerne in 2002, the series has run for more than two decades on an annual (usually mid-year) release schedule and has grown a large supporting cast — handler Reed Carlton and later the off-book Carlton Group, hacker Nicholas, Secret Service partner-turned-wife Lara Cordero — while keeping Harvath's globe-trotting, high-body-count missions self-contained enough that new readers can jump in almost anywhere. It's a good fit for readers who like their espionage thrillers ripped-from-tomorrow's-headlines topical, heavy on tactical detail, and light on subtlety.
Frequently asked questions
How many Scot Harvath books are there?
There are 25 Scot Harvath novels as of Choke Point (2026), Brad Thor's ongoing series that began with The Lions of Lucerne in 2002, plus the standalone e-novella Free Fall (2013).
What order should I read the Scot Harvath books in?
Publication order, starting with The Lions of Lucerne. Each novel is a self-contained mission, but Harvath's personal life and supporting cast develop across the series in order.
Do I need to read the Scot Harvath books in order?
Not strictly — each book's terrorism/espionage plot wraps up on its own — but reading in order lets you follow Harvath's evolving relationships and career without spoilers.
Is there a new Scot Harvath book coming?
Brad Thor has a 26th Scot Harvath novel expected in 2027, but as of August 2026 no title or firm release date has been officially announced.
Is the Scot Harvath series finished?
No. The series is ongoing; Brad Thor has published a new Harvath novel roughly every year since 2002 and has confirmed another is in progress.
If you like the Scot Harvath series
Reading order last verified .