My Suggested Reading Order

Wondering where to start? This page shows the recommended reading order for my thriller series, including the John Hayes books, the Max Jones spin-off, the Hong Kong Trilogy and The Devil Inside duology.

The key crossover is this: Max Jones Book 1 is best appreciated after reading John Hayes Book 7, The Guru, John Hayes Book 8, Faith, and then the free prequel novella Max Out. The Max Jones series can be read as its own series, but it spins out of events around this point in the John Hayes timeline.

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Recommended crossover reading order

For the full connected John Hayes and Max Jones experience, read in this order.

  1. Vengeance: John Hayes Book 1
  2. A Million Reasons: John Hayes Book 2
  3. A New Beginning: John Hayes Book 3
  4. No Escape: John Hayes Book 4
  5. Reprisal: John Hayes Book 5
  6. Payback: John Hayes Book 6
  7. The Guru: John Hayes Book 7
  8. Faith: John Hayes Book 8
    Important note: read both The Guru and Faith before moving into Max Jones for the best crossover experience.
  9. Max Out: free Max Jones prequel novella
    This free prequel novella is the final bridge before starting Max Jones Book 1.
  10. The Mule: Max Jones Book 1
    Best read after The Guru, Faith and Max Out.
  11. The Irishman: Max Jones Book 2
  12. The Contractor: Max Jones Book 3
  13. Checkpoint: Maya background novella
    Read this after The Contractor. It gives background on Maya, who appears in Max Jones Book 3.
  14. The American: Max Jones Book 4
  15. The Believer: Max Jones Book 5

John Hayes reading order

If you only want the John Hayes series, read the books in this order.

  1. Vengeance
  2. A Million Reasons
  3. A New Beginning
  4. No Escape
  5. Reprisal
  6. Payback
  7. The Guru
  8. Faith
  9. The Neighbor
  10. The Chinese Cat

Optional John Hayes novellas:

Max Jones reading order

The Max Jones books form a spin-off series. You can start with Max Jones Book 1, but it is best appreciated after reading The Guru, John Hayes Book 7, Faith, John Hayes Book 8, and then the free prequel novella Max Out.

  1. The Guru: John Hayes Book 7 (recommended before starting Max Jones)
  2. Faith: John Hayes Book 8 (recommended before starting Max Jones)
  3. Max Out: free Max Jones prequel novella (recommended before starting Max Jones)
  4. The Mule: Max Jones Book 1
  5. The Irishman: Max Jones Book 2
  6. The Contractor: Max Jones Book 3
  7. Checkpoint: Maya background novella
  8. The American: Max Jones Book 4
  9. The Believer: Max Jones Book 5

For better value, you can also browse eBook bundles, paperback bundles and audiobook bundles.

The Hong Kong Trilogy reading order

The Hong Kong Trilogy is a standalone political thriller series, so you can read it separately from John Hayes and Max Jones. That said, you may recognise some characters from the John Hayes series, and alert readers may later recognise people from the Hong Kong Trilogy in The Chinese Cat: John Hayes Book 10.

  1. Disruption: Hong Kong Book 1
  2. Conflict: Hong Kong Book 2
  3. Freedom: Hong Kong Book 3

Read the complete Hong Kong Trilogy eBook bundle.

The Devil Inside duology reading order

The Devil Inside duology is a standalone psychological thriller series. It can be read separately from the John Hayes, Max Jones and Hong Kong books.

  1. The Devil Inside
  2. Flipped

Read The Devil Inside eBook bundle.

Free novellas and downloadable checklist

Reading order FAQ

Do I need to read John Hayes before Max Jones?

You do not need to read the entire John Hayes series first, but Max Jones Book 1, The Mule, is best appreciated after reading The Guru, John Hayes Book 7, Faith, John Hayes Book 8, and then the free prequel novella Max Out.

Where should I read Max Out?

Max Out is a free Max Jones prequel novella. Read it after The Guru and Faith, and before The Mule.

Where should I read Checkpoint?

Checkpoint is a background novella about Maya. Read it after The Contractor, Max Jones Book 3.

Is the Hong Kong Trilogy connected to John Hayes?

The Hong Kong Trilogy is a standalone trilogy, but you may recognise some characters from the John Hayes series. Alert readers may also notice characters from the Hong Kong Trilogy appearing later in The Chinese Cat, John Hayes Book 10.

Are the Hong Kong Trilogy and The Devil Inside connected to the main reading order?

The Hong Kong Trilogy and The Devil Inside duology are both standalone series. The Hong Kong books include light character connections for observant John Hayes readers, while The Devil Inside duology can be read completely separately.

Can I save this reading order?

Yes. Bookmark this page in your browser or save it to your phone’s home screen. A printable download version will be added here later.