Tom Harper books

Tom Harper is a British author best known for historical thrillers, including the Demetrios Askiates medieval mystery series and his contributions to Wilbur Smith's Courtney adventure saga spanning Africa and beyond.

Courtney Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
When the Lion Feeds 1964 Buy
The Sound of Thunder / The Roar of Thunder 1966 Buy
A Sparrow Falls 1977 Buy
The Burning Shore 1985 Buy
Power of the Sword 1986 Buy
Rage 1987 Buy
A Time to Die 1989 Buy
Golden Fox 1990 Buy
The Triumph of the Sun 1992 Buy
Birds of Prey 1997 Buy
Monsoon 1999 Buy
Blue Horizon 2003 Buy
Assegai 2009 Buy
Golden Lion 2015 Buy
War Cry 2017 Buy
The Tiger’s Prey 2017 Buy
Courtney’s War 2018 Buy
King of Kings 2019 Buy
Ghost Fire 2019 Buy
Legacy of War 2021 Buy
Storm Tide 2022 Buy
Nemesis 2023 Buy
Warrior King 2024 Buy
Crossfire 2025 Buy

Demetrios Askiates Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Mosaic of Shadows 2003 Buy
Knights of the Cross 2006 Buy
Siege Of Heaven 2006 Buy

Edwin Thomas Short Stories/Novellas

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Twelfth Tablet 2013 Buy

Short Stories/Novellas

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Twelfth Tablet 2013 Buy

Standalone Novels

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Lost Temple 2007 Buy
The Book of Secrets 2009 Buy
The Lazarus Vault 2010 Buy
Secrets of the Dead 2011 Buy
The Orpheus Descent 2013 Buy
Black River 2015 Buy

Zodiac Station Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Polar Vortex 2014 Buy
Zodiac Station 2014 Buy

Tom Harper writes historical fiction with a strong sense of place and period. His Demetrios Askiates trilogy, set during the First Crusade, draws on Byzantine history and the chaos of medieval warfare to create mysteries that feel grounded in their time. His standalone thrillers, including The Orpheus Descent and The Lazarus Vault, share a similar quality of layering ancient myth or history over fast-moving contemporary plots.

Harper also continued Wilbur Smith’s long-running Courtney series, contributing to the ongoing saga of the Courtney family across centuries of African and global history. His standalone novels tend to feature protagonists drawn into conspiracies reaching back centuries, mixing archaeology and action in the tradition of adventure thrillers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Tom Harper written?

Tom Harper has written 37 books across six series.

What was Tom Harper's first book?

Tom Harper’s first book is When the Lion Feeds, published in 1964.

What is Tom Harper's Demetrios Askiates series about?

The Demetrios Askiates series follows a Byzantine investigator during the First Crusade, beginning with The Mosaic of Shadows (2003). The three-book series mixes political intrigue, religious conflict, and murder mystery against the backdrop of eleventh-century Constantinople and the Holy Land.

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