David Gilman Books In Order

Publication Order of Danger Zone Books

Publication Order of Master of War Books

Publication Order of The Englishman Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

David Gilman is an author and screenwriter who has had a ton of success in writing during his career. Gilman wasn’t always a writer though and has held numerous jobs throughout his life, working as everything from a firefighter to professional photographer, from soldier in the Parachute Regiment’s Reconnaissance Platoon to a Marketing Manager for an international publishing company in South Africa. He is perhaps best known for his work writing on television as he was a principal writer on A Touch of Frost from 2000 to 2009. While he has traveled throughout the world in his work and life, David now makes his home in Devonshire with his wife, Suzy Chiazzari.

Gilman is known to many for his YA adventure series called Danger Zone. The series follows a plucky hero named Max Gordon and each book in the series features a different geographical setting. The Devil’s Breath is one of the most successful books in the series as it won the French award, Le Prix Polar Jeunesse, and was also nominated for the Carnegie Medal.

David also writes for adults with his Master of War series. The first book, also called Master of War, follows Thomas Blackstone. Thomas is a village stonemason and archer in England that is sent to fight with King Edward’s army against the French in 1346. It was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the time with many lives lost, but Blackstone manages to find friendship and love during the tumultuous time. As Blackstone’s destiny is played out in this series, he finds himself going from lowly village stonemason to a legend. The series continues throughout the 100 Years’ War and all the political intrigue that came with that part of history.

As a writer, David wrote his first story when he was only six years old. The story was told in the first person and followed the adventures of a sixpence as it rolled all over the area, from the town to the country, until it it was eventually swallowed by a cow and died. Despite the imagination on display, his teacher was adamant that the protagonist of the story couldn’t be telling the story in the first person if it was dead and David was discouraged from writing another story for 25 years.

Gilman grew up in England and Wales, with his family moving around quite a bit in his youth. He lived in many different homes including a flat about the local fish and chip shop and a country house with horses on the property. His father’s business is what had them moving and he moved about every six months during his youth. He was never in one school for long and struggled with that as all kids are wont to do.

David decided to leave school when he was 14 to help his mother and his two siblings. Soon after, the family would pack up again and move to Africa. This was quite a change, but one that David handled well. He decided to leave home a couple years later when he turned 16 when he drove a 1940s Ford saloon to ferry Zulu and Pondo construction laborers to and from work. Gilman lived in apartheid South Africa and it wasn’t easy earning a living at this time, especially for a young white boy with no discernible skills. Getting a job was near impossible so Gilman did what any desperate man would do in this situation: he lied.

When Gilman started saying that he was 21 and had multiple jobs on his resume, his luck changed. An editor at a weekly magazine offered him a job as a trainee journalist and he jumped at the opportunity. However, it was not meant to be as on the day he arrived to work – his boss was arrested and the offices were raided by Special Branch detectives. He would try to work for Fire and Rescue Service, but when that threatened to reveal his age – he had to find something else to do.

A photographer friend got him a job for a magazine company as a photographer. He didn’t know much, but he faked it until he made it and he made some great money doing it. The lifestyle ultimately proved to be too much for him and he ended up returning to England. That didn’t last long and he headed to Australia and then back to England four years later.

After a stint in the Patrol Company and the Reconnaissance Platoon, fighting the fight against IRA terrorists, Gilman got the idea that he wanted to start working as a writer. He started with radio plays and serials, then television, and finally books.

The Devil’s Breath is the first book in the Danger Zone series. The book sees Max Gordon living his life at an English boarding school when an assassin bursts in with eyes on killing him. Max manages to survive and soon realizes that his life is about to change forever. Max then learns that his father, an explorer, has gone missing and he becomes determined to find him. Luckily, his father left him behind a secret clue. The clue leads Max to the wilderness of Namibia where he uncovers something huge. Shaka Chang is a complex man who is working on a potentially massive ecological disaster. Max needs help as whoever made is father disappear is out to make him disappear – for good.

The first book in the Master of War series is also called Master of War. It takes place in 1346 London when Thomas Blackstone has an important choice to make. He can hang for a murder that he didn’t commit or he can take up his archer’s bow and join the King’s Army in France. The choice is simple and Thomas heads of to war. The war turns out to be very brutal as wars tend to be. However, it is an important battle and the first step in what Blackstone will grow to become.

5 Responses to “David Gilman”

1. Steve McGee: 2 months ago

   Hi David, I’m wondering if there are any more Englishman books planned. I have enjoyed them very much. Thanks, Steve

   Reply
2. Jason M Hazard: 2 years ago

   Hello David, I Reside in New Plymouth,Taranaki,
   NZ. I have only just started reading your books and enjoy same.We have a little in common in that I was in 3 Para 1959 till 1965. Went into the Met/Police, met my wife (a kiwi) then joined NZ Police. Served another 30 years. Now retired enjoying life and reading your publications. Hope you have a lovely day. Take care Jason.

   Reply
   • David Gilman: 2 years ago

     Dear Jason, I wasn’t aware of this website or that queries were posted for authors to respond – a forwarding link might prove beneficial. It’s a very good site as far as I can see, but only now stumbling upon it is the reason for the late reply. I spent time in Australia and then travelled back from Oz via NZ (loved the place) to join Para Regt. Given your background and with a name like yours I think you should be writing books – though I don’t want to distract you from reading mine – thanks. Trust all is well in NZ. Best wishes, David.

     Reply
3. Chris Lovett: 2 years ago

   Hi David Hope you are well !! Just wondering when your new Master Of War book 8 is coming ! Cannot wait to see how things go with Thomas Blackstone Thanks Happy Christmas

   Reply
   • David Gilman: 2 years ago

     Chris, apologies for the delay in writing. I was unaware of this website and did not know there was a means of contacting authors – as there is no forwarding link for subscribers to do so. That said, thanks for asking. I have just started a new thriller series – and the second ‘Betrayal’ came out in January. Which means I have now started writing the 8th book in the Master of War series which should be published next year. Best wishes, David.

     Reply