Reading Order
John Wellsseries.seoTitleShort
Start with The Faithful Spy and continue through all 12 books in the listed reading order.
About This Series
The John Wells series, penned by acclaimed author Alex Berenson, is a riveting collection of espionage thrillers that delve deep into the world of intelligence and counter-terrorism. With a protagonist who is as complex as he is compelling, the series unfolds against the backdrop of a post-9/11 landscape, providing readers with a thrilling blend of action, intrigue, and moral ambiguity that defines modern warfare and espionage.
What sets the John Wells series apart is its intricate storytelling and Berenson's meticulous attention to detail. Each book explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the gray areas of morality that intelligence operatives navigate in their line of work. Ideal for readers who relish intense political thrillers and character-driven narratives, this series will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Wells’s harrowing missions and personal struggles. Fans of authors like John le Carré and Tom Clancy will find a kindred spirit in Berenson's work, as he masterfully weaves current geopolitical issues into engaging plots.
To get the most out of the John Wells experience, it’s essential to read the books in order, starting with "The Faithful Spy." Each installment builds on the previous ones, offering deeper insights into Wells's character and the overarching narrative. While there are no spin-offs or prequels to consider, this linear progression ensures that readers fully appreciate the evolution of the series and its protagonist.
While no thought leaders have yet recommended this series on GurusReads, it is clear that fans of thriller novels, especially those interested in the intricacies of global politics and espionage, will find the John Wells series to be an exhilarating journey that resonates with the complexities of our world today.
Start Here

Start with The Faithful Spy
Book 1 by Alex Berenson • Published 2006
John Wells is the only American agent to infiltrate al Qaeda, living for years as a jihadi in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Returning to the United States after 9/11, he must prove his loyalty to a wary CIA while racing t...
Complete List
John Wells reading order
Ends with The Deceivers
- 1

Book 1:The Faithful Spy
Alex Berenson • 2006
John Wells is the only American agent to infiltrate al Qaeda, living for years as a jihadi in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Returning to the United States after 9/11, he must prove his loyalty to a wary CIA while racing t...
- 2

Book 2:The Ghost War
Alex Berenson • 2008
Back from his first mission, Wells is restless and half broken when signs emerge that the Taliban are being armed by a mysterious foreign power. Sent back into Afghanistan, he uncovers a web that links North Korea, Ch...
- 3

Book 3:The Silent Man
Alex Berenson • 2009
Burned out from years undercover, Wells is trying to build a quieter life with CIA officer Jennifer Exley when enemies target them in Washington traffic. At the same time jihadists steal nuclear material, drawing Well...
- 4

Book 4:The Midnight House
Alex Berenson • 2010
Retired members of a secret interrogation team are being murdered one by one, and their deaths point back to a covert prison in Poland known as the Midnight House. Wells digs into what happened there, balancing loyalt...
- 5

Book 5:The Secret Soldier
Alex Berenson • 2011
Saudi Arabia is shaken by a string of attacks that threaten King Abdullah’s hold on power. With the kingdom unsure whom to trust, Wells is asked to unravel a plot that reaches beyond Riyadh toward rivals hoping to ign...
- 6

Book 6:The Shadow Patrol
Alex Berenson • 2012
Years after a Jordanian double agent blew up CIA officers at the Kabul station, sources in Afghanistan are still dying. Sent back to his old battleground, Wells must discover whether the Taliban have penetrated the ag...
- 7

Book 7:The Night Ranger
Alex Berenson • 2013
Four American aid workers vanish after leaving a Somali refugee camp in Kenya for a weekend drive. Asked as a personal favor to help, Wells heads to East Africa, where tangled motives, clan politics, and Washington pr...
- 8

Book 8:The Counterfeit Agent
Alex Berenson • 2014
A shadowy source in Istanbul claims Iran is targeting a CIA station chief and planning to ship radioactive material toward the United States. When the first warning comes true, Wells is pulled into a global chase to l...
- 9

Book 9:Twelve Days
Alex Berenson • 2015
Picking up after The Counterfeit Agent, Wells, Ellis Shafer, and Senator Vinny Duto have less than two weeks to prove that a supposed Iranian attack was staged. With no hard evidence and powerful people invested in wa...
- 10

Book 10:The Wolves
Alex Berenson • 2016
After barely preventing war with Iran, Wells goes after the financier who orchestrated the crisis. His personal vendetta pulls him into a deadly contest involving Wall Street money, Russian and Chinese interests, and...
- 11

Book 11:The Prisoner
Alex Berenson • 2017
Evidence suggests a senior CIA officer is secretly feeding information to ISIS. To unmask the traitor, Wells once again adopts his old jihadist cover, arranging to be thrown into a brutal Bulgarian prison where befrie...
- 12

Book 12:The Deceivers
Alex Berenson • 2018
A drug bust staged at a Dallas basketball arena turns into a massacre, igniting outrage across the country. As Wells follows a lead to Colombia, he uncovers a wider Russian driven scheme using terror attacks, sleeper...
Quick Answers
John Wells FAQ
What is the best order to read the John Wells series?
The recommended reading order is the numbered order shown on this page, starting with The Faithful Spy.
How many books are in the John Wells series?
There are 12 books currently listed in the John Wells series on GurusReads.
Where should I start with the John Wells series?
New readers should start with The Faithful Spy, the first book in the reading order.
Is the John Wells series complete?
Based on the publication years we have, the series appears likely complete and spans releases from 2006 to 2018.