Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Watchman | 2014 | Adrian Magson | Buy |
| 2 | Close Quarters | 2015 | Adrian Magson | Buy |
| 3 | Hard Cover | 2016 | Adrian Magson | Buy |
| 4 | Dark Asset | 2017 | Adrian Magson | Buy |
| 5 | A Hostile State | 2021 | Adrian Magson | Buy |
Marc Portman is an American freelance operative known by the codename “Watchman.” His job is to protect spies and intelligence assets in hostile environments, staying in the shadows and working off the books for Western agencies. The five novels in this series, starting with The Watchman (2014) and running through A Hostile State (2021), send Portman into dangerous situations from Washington D.C. to Ukraine and beyond.
What sets these thrillers apart is their restraint. Magson keeps the action grounded and realistic rather than going for blockbuster spectacle. Portman is a professional who relies on skill and patience, and the plots reflect the messy, morally gray reality of modern intelligence work. Fans of Daniel Silva and Alex Berenson will find a similar tone here, with a protagonist who is compelling precisely because he is not invincible.