John Ingram books in order

Q: "How many books are in the John Ingram series?"

"There are two books in the John Ingram series, published between 1960 and 1963."

Q: "What is the first book in the John Ingram series?"

"The first book in the John Ingram series is Aground, published in 1960."

Q: "Was Dead Calm adapted into a film?"

"Yes. Dead Calm was adapted into a 1989 Australian thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane. The film follows the novel's premise closely, with a couple on a yacht who take on a survivor from a sinking vessel and face the consequences. The novel was written by Charles Williams in 1963."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Aground	1960	Charles Williams	Buy
2	Dead Calm	1963	Charles Williams	Buy

Charles Williams wrote two novels featuring the sailor John Ingram, both set on or around the water. Aground (1960) came first, followed by Dead Calm in 1963. Both are characteristic Williams: plots built around physical danger, isolated settings, and characters under pressure with limited options.

Dead Calm is the better-known of the two, partly because of the 1989 film adaptation that brought it to a new audience. The novel’s premise, a couple adrift on a yacht who take aboard a survivor whose story does not add up, is one of the cleanest thriller setups in the genre. Williams uses the ocean setting to strip away every possible safety net, and the tension builds accordingly.

Aground is the place to start, as the earlier novel introduces Ingram and establishes his character. Both books are short by modern standards and read quickly. Fans of nautical thrillers and maritime noir will find Williams’s handling of the sea setting particularly strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the John Ingram series?

There are two books in the John Ingram series, published between 1960 and 1963.

What is the first book in the John Ingram series?

The first book in the John Ingram series is Aground, published in 1960.

Was Dead Calm adapted into a film?

Yes. Dead Calm was adapted into a 1989 Australian thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane. The film follows the novel’s premise closely, with a couple on a yacht who take on a survivor from a sinking vessel and face the consequences. The novel was written by Charles Williams in 1963.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order