James N. Cook Books In Order

Publication Order of Surviving the Dead Books

Publication Order of The Hellbreakers Books

The writer James N. Cook is an American author of horror novels, having made a name for himself as a master of suspense and terror with his work. Able to build a mood that is both dark and foreboding, he immediately grabs the reader the instant they open the book and doesn’t let go. Making his name with the ‘Surviving the Dead’ series, he largely focuses on his much loved zombie apocalypse series that has been running for quite some time now. Drawing from his own life and his time serving in the US Navy, he infuses his work with a sense of realism that makes his novels seem wholly authentic and grounded in reality. This has allowed him to become a bestselling author over the years, establishing himself as one of the biggest writers currently working within his field to date.

The characters within his novels are also extremely well drawn, as Cook again draws from his own life and experiences. With a clear love and passion for survival horror, his own interest in the art of survival and the great outdoors serves his work well too. There’s a lot more to come in the future as well, as his writing career rapidly grows from strength-to-strength, showing no signs of stopping any time soon.

Early and Personal Life

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, James N. Cook, or Jim, would have a passion for storytelling from an early age. He would later go on to serve in the United States Navy, gaining a military background that would come to inform much of his work. Working in an office cubicle for some time, he would later go on to become a writer full-time, focusing on his passion for literature. Interested in martial arts as well, he would also show a keen passion for the great outdoors, as this would also become a major feature in his work too. Currently living in North Carolina to this day, he lives with his wife and son, as he will continue to write on into the foreseeable future.

Writing Career

Publishing his first novel back in 2011, James N. Cook would make his name with the title ‘No Easy Hope’, which would also be the first in the ‘Surviving the Dead’ series. Following the character of Eric Riordan, is charts his life as the once wealthy and comfortable individual now having to navigate a zombie apocalypse. Bringing his own knowledge of survival skills into the story, Cook looks at his character’s progress, as his protagonist learns his skills from his Marine Corp friend Gabriel. The series itself would for eight books and counting, with an omnibus edition of the first three titles, as well as writing a supplementary title to the third novel alongside the writer Joshua Guess. This has led to the writer that he currently is today, as there’s a lot more to come from him in future, definitely making him a novelist to watch.

Warrior Within

First published in 2013 on the 22nd of April, this would initially come out through the Kindle platform to an already eager audience. Following on from the previous two, this would be the third title in the ongoing ‘Surviving the Dead’ series of novels. Continuing the story set in the post-apocalyptic zombie infested world, it also has a spin-off title of it’s own called ‘The Passenger’, which was written with Joshua Guess.

Continuing many of the themes and ideas of the originals, it carries on developing the characters, with their many arcs. With a wider cast now too, it has many intersecting narratives, whilst also using a self-contained story for them all. Developing the post-apocalyptic world as well, Cook sets about broadening the scope and sheer scale of the landscape overall. This allows him to build many new exciting elements into the series, letting it become even grander and deeper in scale.

With the group known as the Free Legion waging war against the survivors situated up at Hollow Rock, Eric and Gabriel find themselves embedded deep within the conflict. Working together they must do whatever it takes to prevent the attacking army from taking everything that they know and love. This means that Gabriel must become the leader he was meant to be, aiding the people around him to victory and success fighting back. Meanwhile Eric must deal with the ghosts that he finds himself haunted with, as he comes to terms with everything that he’s had to do since the outbreak. Will they be able to stop the invading army? Can they hold back the forces of the dead in the process? Who will find the warrior within?

The Killing Line

Originally released on the 26th of June in 2016, this would also be brought out on the Kindle platform as well. Taking the action to even greater heights, it continues on from the previous books in the ‘Surviving the Dead’ series, this being the seventh title. Providing plenty for the now long time fans of the series, it never fails to disappoint, delivering on all levels every step of the way.

Taking the action to an even larger scale than ever before, this story heads beyond the confines of Hollow Rock. Heading out on to the great American plains, there’s plenty of space to increase the action and build upon the threats placed upon the group. Not only that, but there’s also a deepening of the bonds between the characters, with some serious arcs placed before them. Painting a vivid landscape filled with potential terror waiting round every corner, Cook really allows the story to come alive once again.

Gabriel Garrett has seen it all, having served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, working in the CIA and as a mercenary, as well as the zombie apocalypse. Now he must deal with a new task ahead of him; fatherhood, as he must contend with the raising of child in this new world. Leaving Hollow Rock behind him, he heads out to Colorado Springs, where he can make a new life for himself, although first he must deal with the American plains spread out before him. Accompanied by Eric Riordan, as well as Caleb Hicks, it is here that they must deal with all manner of foe in their path. Will they make it there alive and in one piece? Can Gabriel deal with the task of fatherhood before him? Who will find themselves at the killing line?

James Cook is an American author.

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Cook is an author that goes by the nickname of Jim. His wife calls him James. He is interested in martial arts and served in the United States Navy (he is now a veteran). He is the writer of the series of novels titled Surviving the Dead.

The author also likes to hike and he likes to go camping. He is also able to go traveling quite a bit and even though he enjoys his life he does admit that he has difficulty being able to stay in just one spot for a long time. He is now a grown adult man that likes to play video games and read graphic novels.

James Cook resides in the state of North Carolina in the United States with his family. He is married and together they look after their one son and their two dogs and aloof cat that may or may not know that the author even exists.

James Cook is the creator and author of the Surviving the Dead fictional series. This post-apocalyptic series was released in 2011. The first novel is titled No Easy Hope. The second novel in the series came out in 2013 and is titled The Passenger. The eighth novel in this series came out in 2017.

No Easy Hope is the exciting first book in the Surviving the Dead series by author James Cook! In this engaging story, readers get to meet the main character of Eric Riordan, who is about to find that the details of his life are about to drastically change.

Eric is an adult man that used to be wealthy. His life was as comfortable as it could be and was easy in many ways. He used to have all of the spoils of wealth and then found out something strange when his friend Gabriel decided to tell him the details of how it was that the world would finally come to an end.

Eric recounts that his friend was only trying to help him, and did more than just inform him how he saw the apocalypse going down. He had belonged to the Marines serving as a scout sniper. Everything that he had learned on the battle fields in Afghanistan and Iraq he taught to Eric and was trying to impart those difficult lessons that he had accumulated.

Eric was happy that his friend was helping him out and thought that they were doing enough to get ready for what was to come. But when it comes to the world ending, are you really ever truly prepared? When the end finally comes, Eric finds out that he might not have been as right as he would have liked to be.

The Outbreak comes and starts ripping apart the world as we know it. This isn’t just a normal way for civilization to end. This is the dead rising up and becoming a plague on the planet that starts eating those who are living. Humanity spent centuries trying to build up to a certain point, and everything that they did and worked for was dismantled in about a couple months. The undead were an enemy to fear as no one was safe from them and they knew nothing of mercy.

Everywhere they go they leave death and fire and ashes behind them. It quickly becomes clear that the human race is in trouble and if the survivors don’t fight back and win or enough of them do not continue on that humanity is in danger of true extinction.

Eric is still alive and one of many that are doing what they can every day in order to survive. There is tons of danger to fight out there, and things get even riskier once it gets dark outside. There are no electric lights anymore and he’s on his own. There are also the important things to consider, like obtaining fresh water to drink and food that is not spoiled to keep on surviving.

He knows that even though things look bad, there is definitely a shot for humanity to rebuild. They just have to collectively try and turn the tide. Eric plans to make a journey up North and try to connect with Gabriel. He knows that he needs the help of his friend and they might even be able to find other people and have them join them, an attempt at beginning again.

Even though it will be difficult, Eric knows that he has to trek across the old world’s ruins and find a way to try and make it to his friend. He will be tested along the way, but knows that his mission is worth the risks that he will be taking. With his truck, some food, and a rifle with him, Eric is trying to make the best of bad circumstances. With hope fueling his journey up North, can he fight off the dead and make it to Gabriel? Pick up this first book in the ‘Dead’ series to find out!

The Passenger is the second book in the series titled Surviving the Dead and is the action packed sequel to the first, No Easy Hope.

Eric is someone that never looks for trouble. He would prefer that he just has a peaceful life but often finds that he is put in the way of danger way too often. There have been several years that have passed by since the start of the original outbreak.

Eric has joined up with Gabriel, his long time friend. He made the move to find him and together they have come together as a team. They attempt to survive by going to the Appalachian mountain peaks. They are doing whatever they can to make it, but things are getting challenging.

Their supplies are scarce and now enemies are gathering. The two must attempt a journey to go west and make it to Colorado. The concept is one thing; making it there will be another.

The pair make friends and foes along the way, but will they survive the journey? Pick up the apocalyptic second book in Cook’s series to find out!