Phillip Drayer Duncan Books In Order

Publication Order of Assassins, Inc. Books

Publication Order of Chronicles of the Moonshine Wizard Books

Publication Order of The Blade Mage Books

Publication Order of The Moonshine Wizard Books

Publication Order of Vanguard of the Desolate World Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Anthologies

Phillip Drayer Duncan

Phillip Drayer Duncan is an American novelist who works primarily in the mystery and western genres. His books sit at the point where those two kinds of stories meet, offering readers a familiar but well defined space to explore. He has built a career writing fiction that respects the traditions of both categories while making them his own. It is straightforward work that knows what it wants to be.

Where his writing really shines is in the people he creates. Duncan has a clear talent for building characters who feel like they could walk off the page, particularly the protagonists who carry his stories forward. These are not just placeholders moving through a plot, they are individuals with enough depth to make readers want to stick around. Getting to know them is often the best part of picking up one of his books.

Beyond the characters, Duncan also knows how to structure a story that keeps things moving. He has a gift for putting together narratives that are consistently engaging, with plots that hold attention without feeling forced. The pacing works and the twists land when they are supposed to. It is the kind of storytelling that feels effortless on the page, which usually means a lot of work went into it behind the scenes.

Even though his books are rooted in American genres, readers in other countries have found plenty to enjoy in them. The themes he explores, like justice, survival, and figuring out who people really are, tend to translate well no matter where someone lives. A well told story about a complicated character usually works in any language. It turns out that good storytelling does not need a passport.

What seems to connect with people is how genuine the writing feels. Duncan does not appear to be chasing trends or trying to guess what might be popular next. The books read like they come from someplace real, which is probably because they are the stories he actually wants to tell. That honesty tends to come through on the page and readers seem to pick up on it.

Looking ahead, Duncan shows no signs of slowing down or stepping away from the page. There are more stories on the way, which means more characters to meet and more plots to get lost in. For readers who have enjoyed the ride so far, the good news is that it is not over yet. He plans to keep writing, and that is a solid reason to stay tuned.

Early and Personal Life

Phillip Drayer Duncan grew up in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a small town nestled in the Ozarks. The rivers and lakes that surrounded him became a big part of his life, giving him plenty of time to kayak and fish. It was in this setting that he first developed an interest in reading, which would eventually lead him to writing.

Over the years, he has found inspiration in the places he knows best, often returning to those same Ozark waters. When he is not on the water, he might be at a convention meeting readers or at a concert enjoying some music. During the colder months, he tends to hunker down at home with a stack of books and a few video games for company.

As a writer, he has grown by simply staying with it, putting in the work one book at a time. He keeps things light by telling bad jokes whenever the opportunity presents itself, which is often. The same landscapes and hobbies that shaped him early on continue to influence the stories he tells today.

Writing Career

Phillip Drayer Duncan published his first novel, A Fist of Thorns, in 2013, launching the Chronicles of the Moonshine Wizard series. That same year, he released The Hellhounds, the start of the Vanguard of the Desolate World series, along with a standalone novel. He established himself quickly by putting out multiple books across different series right from the beginning.

His most extensive work is the Blade Mage series, which began in 2020 with the prequel Swords and Dust. He has since added numerous installments, along with The Appalachian Argument in 2025. He continues to write, with more books in the works.

The Southern Circle

The Southern Circle is a novel by Phillip Drayer Duncan. Happy Omega Publishing LLC released it on October 14, 2024. The book is the fifth installment in his Blade Mage series.

A routine visit to the Southern Circle goes wrong for the main character. He and Axel get taken by the Voodoo loa of death, who puts them in a lethal contest. They have to track down a voodoo priestess somewhere in the swamp, or they will be killed, and Anthony Burns is caught up in it as well. The other players in the game, which include wizards, vampires, and familiar enemies, are all hoping to take them out too.

This book grabs hold early and does not let go. The setup is simple at first, but things spiral fast in a way that keeps the pages turning. Getting stuck in a deadly game with the odds stacked against the main character makes for a tense read. It is the kind of story that leaves you ready for whatever comes next in the series.

Moonshine Wizard

Moonshine Wizard is a novel by Phillip Drayer Duncan. Happy Omega Publishing released it on June 1, 2020. The book is the first installment in The Moonshine Wizard series.

Waylon Bert Drake is a wizard who also happens to be a moonshiner, getting by on odd jobs in the quiet Ozarks. His simple life falls apart when a dark wizard shows up and demands he find a mysterious object, threatening to kill Bert and everyone he loves if he fails. Other dark entities want the same treasure, but none of them seem to know exactly what it is, which does not make things easier. Bert and his talking sword now have to locate the object while avoiding local magic authorities and a host of dark wizards, were creatures, and assassins who all want a piece of him.

It’s a novel that introduces a wizard and moonshiner who just wants to be left alone, which makes for a likable main character. The stakes get personal fast when his family is threatened, and the mystery of the unknown object keeps things interesting. A talking sword adds some fun to the mix without feeling forced. It is an easy book to get lost in for a while.