Destroyer Books In Order

Publication Order of The Destroyer Books

Publication Order of Destroyer Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of The New Destroyer Books

The Destroyer series is a series of adventure fiction books written by the highly popular American novelist named Warren Murphy, in collaboration with author Richard Sapir. It was initially released in the paperback format, but the later books in the series were published in the hardcover, e-book, and audiobook editions as well. The series on the whole is comprised of 145 books, which were released between the years 1971 and 2006. All the books written by author Murphy in the series revolve around the life of a United States government operative called Remo Williams. Murphy and Sapir had finished writing the manuscript of the debut book of the series in the year 1963, but they were able to publish it in 1971. Many of the characters mentioned in the series were later adapted into a movie called Remo Williams : The Adventure Begins, released in 1985. One more film is said to be in the making based on the novel series. It is called as The Destroyer, whose director is Shane Black. During the initial stages of the development of the series, authors Sapir and Murphy used to write separate portions of each and every book. But, during the late 1970s, some tension arose in the relationship between the two authors and author Sapir eventually withdrew from the collaboration. As a result, author Murphy began using various ghostwriters during the early 1980s to help him proceed with the series. One of those ghostwriters was his own wife named Molly Cochran.

Author Sapir returned back in the middle of the 1980s and started participating in the development of the novel series once again. At the end of the 1980s, the sole responsibility of the series was taken over by Will Murray, who had written some of the previous books along with either Sapir of Murphy. He remained associated with the series until the end of the 1990s after the death of author Sapir. After the 107th novel, author Murray also left. The next three books were then written by some interim ghostwriters. Among those writers were Mike Newton and Alan Philipson. Later, author Jim Mullaney also joined and worked with Mike Newton. One more author who joined the team as a ghostwriter is Tim Somheil. In the year 2002, author Murphy established his own publishing company called Ballybunion. It was initially meant to release the spin off books of the Destroyer series. Over the years, this publishing house went on to release a number of books related to the series as well as several short story collections that were written by the fans of the original series. Author Murphy regained back all the rights to the novels of the series in the year 2011. Currently, he is releasing the books in e-book format as well as reissuing a number of older titles in the print format. The main hero of the novel series is shown in the form of Remo Williams. He is depicted by the authors as a cop living in Newark, who gets framed in relation to a crime and given the death sentence.

The government fakes his death and eventually sends him to get trained as a deadly assassin for a secret organization called CURE. This organization is set up by the United States President as a measure to defend the nation by going outside the law. President Kennedy selects Harold Smith as the organization’s head because of his brilliance and integrity. Remo is trained under the guidance of Chiun, who is shown as a deadly assassin. Chiun is believed to be the last Master who knows the martial art called Shinanju. Later, Remo Williams is described as the emergence of the Shiva’s Avatar. The basic formula of the series goes on to take shape in its third book. A number of other important elements get introduced in the later stages. The first few books describe the early days of the difficult training sessions that Remo undergoes so as to become a complete assassin. In the first novel, the authors have not at all used the word Shinanju to describe the form of martial arts that Chiun trains Remo with. Instead, karate, judo, Zen, and akido are used. Over the course of the training period, Remo trains under many experts in various aspects of becoming an undercover operative. He learns to handle different types of arms, and trains in the close quarters assassination. After becoming a complete assassin, Remo uses his gun only to shoot and injure. His actual kills are done with hands only. As the series progresses, Remo Williams and Chiun go on to encounter numerous villains in the form of humans and superhumans. They include mobster, mad scientists, shapeshifters, etc.

One of the initial books of this series is titled as ‘Chinese Puzzle’. It was first released in the year 1972 and then again in 2002 as a paperback edition. The main characters described in the plot of this book by author Murphy are Harold W. Smith and Remo Williams. The story of the book opens up by showing that after a Chinese diplomat is considered dead for not being found anywhere, the advisor of the communist chairman gets kidnapped while working in the Bronx and is sent to Shanghai. In such a situation, the State Department senses that things are going to get difficult. Soon after, things begin to get spicier. Now, the job of saving the abducted advisor falls on the shoulders of Remo Williams and his mentor, Chiun. They are also required to prevent the conspiracy from becoming successful. Due to the tense situation, The United States and China get on the verge of engaging in a nuclear battle. Also, there is an assassin out somewhere who wants to kill Remo for his involvement in preventing such a situation. In the end, the fate of both the powerful countries as well as the world appears very complicated, similar to a Chinese Puzzle.

Another well known book published in The Destroyer series is titled as ‘Mafia Fix’. This book was released in the year 1972 originally and depicts Remo Williams, Harold Smith, and Master Chiun in the lead roles. In this book, it is shown that the American President turns to Remo Williams for help after heroin worth 10 billion dollars arrives in New Jersey through the coasts and begins to pollute the nearby areas. He does not want to let the drug Mafia become the second Evil and allow the Jersey Kingpin destroy the country. Remo, who is now nicknamed and resurrected as The Destroyer, is already on a mission in Cosa Nostra. But, on the orders of the President, he shifts his focus on busting the drug mafia. His investigation and research take him to the top level of the drug Mafia, after which he realizes that it is the right time to fix the Mafia. Remo is assisted in this mission by his mentor and friend, Master Chiun.

2 Responses to “Destroyer”

1. Kevin: 2 months ago

   Yes you’re right Larry that particular one was a good read, the thing is when there is such a la large number of books you can really immerse yourself in the series, and as Remo’s life as the enforcement arm and his relationship with Chiun develops you can quite easily believe some of the crazy antics that ensue, as I’m nearing the end of the series I’m a little sad that I won’t be able to read more of their story, but as they say all good things must end.

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2. Larry Dickhans: 2 years ago

   I used to have a complete set I still find it hard to believe someone stole them I was lucky to find 2 out of the whole series at that time I liked reading them one of really was very good when he became Shiva , Hindu god destroyer…

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