Note: Clarification on “Tom Bateman.” If you’re searching for “Tom Bateman books in order,” you might be thinking of the talented British actor Tom Bateman, known for roles in Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and Based on a True Story. Tom Bateman is primarily an actor and has recently made his screenwriting debut with the thriller film Magpie (2024), but he has not authored any published novels or book series.
However, searches for “Tom Bateman” often lead to popular thriller authors with similar names, such as A.P. Bateman (author of high-octane action series featuring Alex King and Rob Stone) or Colin Bateman (known for humorous crime novels and the Mystery Man series). It’s a common mix-up due to the similar surnames!
Below, I’ll provide complete reading orders for these two prolific authors, whose names frequently appear in related searches. If you’re a fan of gripping thrillers, espionage, and mystery, these series are must-reads.
Tom Bateman Books in Order: A Complete Guide for Fans
A.P. Bateman is a bestselling author of military and espionage thrillers, drawing from his real-life experience in close protection and investigations. His books are fast-paced, full of twists, and often compared to Lee Child or Tom Clancy.
Rob Stone Series (Publication Order)
- The Ares Virus (2014) – Secret Service agent Rob Stone battles a deadly bioweapon threat.
- The Town (2015) – Stone uncovers dark secrets in a remote Oregon town.
- The Island (2016)
- Stone Cold (2017)
- The Cartel (2020)
- 1600 (upcoming or recently released)
Alex King Series (Publication Order – Over 20 books!)
This is Bateman’s flagship series, following MI6 assassin Alex King in global conspiracies and high-stakes missions.
- The Contract Man (2015)
- Lies and Retribution (2016)
- Shadows of Good Friday (2017)
- The Five (2018)
- Reaper (2018)
- Hunter Killer (2019)
- The Die-Hard Protocol (2019)
- The Warlords (2020)
- Hell’s Mouth (2020)
- The Asset (2021)
- The Courier (2021)
- The Congo Contract (2022)
- The Olympus Conspiracy (2022)
- The Sovereign Order (2023)
- The Traitor (2023)
- The Auction (2023)
- The Doomsday Legacy (2024)
- The Polaris Objective (2024)
- The Ragnarok Protocol (2024)
- The Hades Project (2025)
- Backlash (latest as of 2025)
- Additional titles continue the series – check A.P. Bateman’s Amazon page for the most up-to-date releases!
Standalone novels and other works include Survival Instinct and more.
Colin Bateman Books in Order
Colin Bateman (often published simply as “Bateman”) is an Irish author famous for witty, dark humor in his crime novels, set often in Northern Ireland.
Mystery Man Series
- Mystery Man (2009)
- The Day of the Jack Russell (2009)
- Dr. Yes (2010)
- The Prisoner of Brenda (2012)
Dan Starkey Series
- Divorcing Jack (1995)
- Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men (1996)
- Empire State (1997)
- Wild About Harry (2001, also a screenplay) And more in the series.
Standalone Novels and Other Series
Colin Bateman has over 40 books, including standalones like Cycle of Violence (1995), Maid of the Mist (2002), and recent titles like The Journey (2023).
His works blend comedy, mystery, and social commentary – perfect if you enjoy authors like Carl Hiaasen or Christopher Brookmyre.
A.P. Bateman Series – Complete Lists (as of December 2025)
A.P. Bateman is known for high-stakes espionage and action thrillers. Below are his main series in publication order.
Alex King Series
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Contract Man | 2015 |
| 2 | Lies and Retribution | 2016 |
| 3 | Shadows of Good Friday (prequel) | 2017 |
| 4 | The Five | 2018 |
| 5 | Reaper | 2018 |
| 6 | Stormbound | 2018 |
| 7 | Breakout | 2019 |
| Atonement (novella, tied to #7) | 2019 | |
| 8 | From the Shadows | 2019 |
| 9 | Rogue | 2019 |
| 10 | The Asset | 2020 |
| 11 | Last Man Standing | 2020 |
| 12 | Hunter Killer | 2021 |
| 13 | The Congo Contract | 2021 |
| 14 | Dead Man Walking | 2022 |
| Never Go Back (novella, tied to #14) | 2022 | |
| 15 | Sovereign Power | 2022 |
| 16 | Kingmaker | 2023 |
| 17 | Untouchable | 2023 |
| 18 | The Enemy | 2023 |
| 19 | Die Trying | 2024 |
| 20 | All the King’s Men | 2024 |
| 21 | The Eagle’s Talon | 2024 |
| 22 | Backlash | 2025 |
| 23 | Old Scores | 2025 |
Rob Stone Series
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ares Virus | 2015 |
| 2 | The Town | 2016 |
| 3 | The Island | 2016 |
| 4 | Stone Cold | 2021 |
| 5 | The Cartel | 2024 |
| 6 | 1600 | 2025 |
Colin Bateman Series – Complete Lists
Colin Bateman (often published as “Bateman”) specializes in humorous crime novels, often set in Northern Ireland.
Mystery Man Series
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mystery Man | 2009 |
| 2 | The Day of the Jack Russell | 2009 |
| 3 | Dr. Yes | 2010 |
| 4 | The Prisoner of Brenda | 2012 |
Dan Starkey Series
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Divorcing Jack | 1995 |
| 2 | Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men | 1996 |
| 3 | Turbulent Priests | 1999 |
| 4 | Shooting Sean | 2001 |
| 5 | The Horse With My Name | 2002 |
| 6 | Driving Big Davie | 2004 |
| 7 | Belfast Confidential | 2005 |
| 8 | Nine Inches | 2011 |
| 9 | Fire and Brimstone | 2013 |
| 10 | Orpheus Rising | ? |
These lists are based on the most reliable sources as of December 2025. For the absolute latest releases or any new books, check the authors’ official sites or retailers like Amazon/Goodreads. Enjoy diving into these gripping series! 📖
Why These Authors Are Worth Reading
If you love adrenaline-fueled plots, complex characters, and page-turners that keep you up all night, A.P. Bateman’s action-packed series is ideal for fans of Jack Reacher-style heroes. Colin Bateman offers a sharper, funnier take on crime fiction.
Start with the first book in either series for the best experience – chronological order enhances the character development!
If this isn’t what you meant (e.g., books narrated by actor Tom Bateman or adaptations he’s starred in), feel free to clarify. Happy reading! 📚
