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If you loved The Terminal List, starring Chris Pratt, on Prime Video and are counting down the days until the prequel show, The Terminal: List Dark Wolf, premieres later this month, then this list is for you.
The Terminal List is, of course, based on the #1 New York Times bestselling novel from Jack Carr—which launched his career in 2018, rocketing him to superstardom. Carr, this generation’s Tom Clancy, has in many ways revolutionized the way action thrillers are brought to market these days. From book swag to author-curated merchandise, and innovative marketing promotions—like his “shot-through” hardcover editions—nobody is doing things quite like Carr.
Moreover, Carr himself is one of the few scribes working today who’s actually creating readers. By that, I mean that Jack Carr has become a celebrity, making stops at Joe Rogan’s and Pat McAfee’s podcasts, among others, with each new book. His following is massive, and because of that, Carr—who is every bit as humble and high-character as you would hope—has actually brought people who didn’t read often, into the thriller world in a way that benefits all of us working in the genre today.
Practically speaking, Carr is the only action thriller writer today who can compete with 90% of the titles you’ll see plastered across BookTok, and at a time when the industry is struggling to help new writers find their footing and break out, Carr has become the biggest star since prime Tom Clancy, and it’s not close.
So, if you’re watching The Terminal List and The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, I’ll go ahead and assume you’re reading Carr’s books. From there, though, I think I can help you find some other authors, and their heroes, to give a try.
Jack Carr’s James Reece Series
First Book: The Terminal List
Latest Book: Red Sky Mourning (Pre-order Carr’s 2025 title, Cry Havoc, a Tom Reece thriller, in stores October 7th, here.)
Okay, I know that I just said I’ll assume you’re already reading Carr’s books, but in case you’re not—stop reading this article, and go buy them now. Full Stop.
Still here? Okay, here are fourteen more suggestions . . .
Mark Greaney’s Gray Man Series
First Book: The Gray Man
Latest Book: Midnight Black
(Pre-order Greaney’s 15th Gray Man thriller, The Hard Line, available February 17, 2026, here.)
Here’s another no-brainer pick. If you enjoyed The Gray Man on Netflix, then you’re going to love Mark Greaney’s books. While diehard fans may have disagreed with some of the creative liberties taken in adapting the film from the books, not fully in love with all the departures the film made from the source material, the movie still nailed one thing: the sheer lethality of Courtland Gentry, aka the Gray Man.
That said, as fun and explosive as the film is, Greaney’s novels are on another level entirely and are not to be missed. One of the finest writers working in the genre today, Greaney delivers action in spades—but his work is far more than just gunfights and explosions. His character development, particularly with Gentry and the series’ recurring cast, is unparalleled. Add to that his razor-sharp plotting and unmatched grasp of geopolitics, and you get thrillers that feel both timely and eerily plausible. Additionally, by alternating between CIA-centric missions and Gray Man–focused assignments, Greaney keeps the series fresh, with each book standing solidly on its own, making it easy for new readers to dive in at any point.
Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series
First Book: American Assassin
Latest Book: Capture or Kill (Pre-order the next Rapp novel, Denied Access, written by Don Bentley and available on September 30th.)
First brought to the big screen by Dylan O’Brien in American Assassin, CIA operative Mitch Rapp might just be the most formidable character in modern fiction. For more than two decades, Rapp has lived and breathed the hunt—tracking, confronting, and eliminating America’s enemies without hesitation, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, thanks to the continued work of Kyle Mills (nine books) and now Don Bentley, who’ve each carried the mantle since Flynn’s passing in 2013.
Pivoting after his bold, iconic debut (Term Limits), Vince Flynn cemented his legacy with Rapp, as the author turned his attention to Middle Eastern terrorism at a time when most thriller heavyweights—including Tom Clancy—were still focused on Russia. With razor-sharp intelligence and a gift for creating characters that readers either love or love to hate, Flynn cranked out one bestseller after another, helping to shape the genre into what it is today.
James Reece might be the big dog in today’s market, but Mitch Rapp is still the GOAT.
Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath series
First Book: The Lions of Lucerne
Latest Book: Edge of Honor
Scot Harvath—spelled with one T, callsign “Norseman”—is a must-read for anyone who loves elite operators who can handle anything a gunfight throws their way. In this blockbuster series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor, pulse-pounding action collides with smart, timely storylines that often feel ripped from tomorrow’s headlines. In fact, Thor has built a reputation as one of the genre’s best headline-beaters, with plot points in his thrillers frequently unfolding in real life months or even years after the books hit shelves.
Harvath, a former Navy SEAL turned top-tier counterterrorism operative, is the headline act. Still, a cast of memorable recurring characters enriches Thor’s world—like the “Troll,” a fan favorite—who grow and evolve with each installment. Fiercely patriotic, relentless, and unapologetically lethal, Harvath embodies the fight to keep America safe. Years ago, I wrote that nobody delivers a “star-spangled ass-kicking” quite like Scot Harvath—and it’s still as accurate today as ever.
Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon Series
First Book: The Kill Artist
Latest Book: Inside Job
When it comes to spy thrillers, no one does it better than Daniel Silva. For decades, John le Carré was considered the gold standard—but for my money, Silva is the greatest of all time. Look no further than his masterful body of work—25 Gabriel Allon books nd counting—for proof.
Allon, once the wayward son of Israeli intelligence, eventually returns to his roots to lead the Office (Mossad). But the role never confines him to Israeli affairs alone. One of the world’s most gifted art restorers, Gabriel uses his craft as the perfect cover to travel the globe—while secretly operating as one of the most skilled spies alive. And these days, he’s retired from the Mossad, trying to live his best life for as long as he has left, only to keep getting pulled back into the world of espionage. There’s plenty to action here, but that’s not really Silva’s calling card. No, what sets Silva apart is his mastery of the twist, delivering turns you’ll never see coming. His prose is elegant and precise, and his attention to detail is so sharp that every location feels vividly alive.
Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X Series
First Book: Orphan X
Latest Book: Nemesis (Pre-order Hurwitz’s next Orphan X novel, Antihero, available February 10, 2026, here.)
Think Jason Bourne with Alex Hawke’s wealth—and a hideout cooler than either of them. Evan Smoak was once part of a top-secret government program that plucked children from orphanages and molded them into elite assassins. He’s long since left that program, taking his talents solo, and now operates from a high-tech penthouse complete with a hidden command center.
By day (and night), Evan works as a vigilante known only as the Nowhere Man. When innocent people find themselves in life-or-death situations, they can dial a secret number—and Evan, armed with a lethal skill set and razor-sharp problem-solving instincts, answers the call. Guided by the strict commandments passed down from his handler and father figure, he’s highly selective about which cases he takes. The one fight he can’t walk away from? The shadowy architects of the Orphan Program itself. They don’t appreciate his resignation, and their vendettas have a habit of surfacing at the worst possible moments—turning every mission into a battle for survival.
The Orphan X series is pure adrenaline—and Hurwitz delivers pulse-pounding action, whip-smart plotting, and emotional depth in equal measure, making this one of the most addictive thriller series on the shelves today.
First Book: Hawke
Latest Book: Ted Bell’s Monarch (Pre-order the next Alex Hawke adventure, Ted Bell’s Warmonger, available March 31, 2026, here.)
Ted Bell’s Alex Hawke series is high-octane espionage at its finest—think James Bond with sharper wit, deeper intrigue, and even bigger stakes. Packed with globe-trotting adventure, razor-smart plotting, and a larger-than-life hero you can’t help but cheer for, it’s no wonder this New York Times bestselling series has become a modern classic in the spy thriller genre. Hawke, though, is also a troubled soul, plagued by unthinkable childhood trauma that forever changed the course of his life, turning him into the hardened operator fans know and love.
Hailing from an iconic family and a direct descendent of legendary pirate, Captain Blackhawke, Lord Alexander Hawke has it all—money, fame, and everything those two things can buy. Instead of putting his toes in the sand, though, Hawke—a decorated combat pilot—joined MI6, and ever since, has been the Crown’s most trust asset when diplomacy fails and only brute-force can get the job done. Nicknamed the “Warlord” due to his breathtaking ability to wage war on his enemies, Hawke tends to leave a body of bad guys in his wake—so if you love action, you’ll find that and then some here.
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