The Jack Carr books at a glance
Jack Carr is best known for the James Reece series of military and espionage thrillers, which began with The Terminal List. Publication order, based on commonly cited release lists, is:
- The Terminal List (2018)
- True Believer (2019)
- Savage Son (2020)
- The Devil’s Hand (2021)
- In the Blood (2022)
- Only the Dead (2023)
- Red Sky Mourning (2024)
- Cry Havoc (2025)
Release years and any newer titles are worth confirming on the author’s official site or a retailer, since the list keeps growing.
Book-by-book synopsis
These summaries are intentionally brief and avoid the biggest twists.
- The Terminal List. Navy SEAL James Reece loses his team in an ambush and then suffers a personal tragedy at home. He begins to suspect the events are connected and sets out to confront those responsible. For our verdict on it as a novel, see is The Terminal List a good book.
- True Believer. Reece is pulled back into government-linked work, with an international terrorism plot and questions about his own health and future.
- Savage Son. Reece is hunted by dangerous enemies and has to rely on a small circle of allies, with much of the action set in remote country.
- The Devil’s Hand. The series moves to a larger national-security threat, with Reece working against the clock.
- In the Blood. A new danger connects to Reece’s past operations, raising the personal stakes again.
- Only the Dead. The story widens to global politics and finance, taking Reece across several countries.
- Red Sky Mourning. Another international-intrigue plot, with modern technology and powerful interests in the background.
- Cry Havoc. Reportedly shifts the focus to Reece’s father during the Vietnam War, giving a historical angle to the family story.
Because later-book plots are described differently from source to source, check a retailer blurb if you need precise details.
Where to start and do you need to read in order
Reading in publication order is the safest choice, because the early books establish Reece’s history and relationships and later books refer back to them. Individual novels tend to have their own central mission, so some readers dip in mid-series, but you may encounter spoilers for earlier events. If you are unsure the style suits you, start with book one and see whether the tone works before committing.
Common questions
What is Jack Carr’s real name? Jack Carr is a pen name. The author has kept his legal name out of his published work, so we will not guess at it here.
What is the 3rd Jack Carr book? Savage Son, following The Terminal List and True Believer.
Is this the same as the Jack Reacher series? No. Jack Reacher is a character created by a different author, Lee Child. The names are similar, but the books are unrelated.
Other Carr projects
Carr has also been associated with television (the Prime Video adaptation of the first book), a spin-off series, and further writing beyond the Reece books, including nonfiction collaborations. Details change quickly, so check current listings.
What to read next
If you are still deciding whether to start, begin with our Terminal List review. Readers who like the revenge-list idea but want something darker and funnier can try the Sweetpea book summary.