Jonathan Quinn Books In Order

Publication Order of Jonathan Quinn Books

Coming from a background of avid readers, the American author Brett Battles has always had a keen passion for all forms of literature, with both reading and writing it. Being born and raised in southern California, he was always stuck with his head glued in a book, with a clear interest in the form from a very early age. This was especially the case with science-fiction, something he would continue to return to throughout the years, along with thriller and suspense novels. In regards to the latter he would find himself writing the now highly famous Jonathan Quinn series, set firmly in the mold of detective fiction and the crime genre. With over ten books in the series so far and counting, they chart the investigations of one Jonathan Quinn, who works as an ex-cop who is now freelancing for the ‘Office’; a top secret US intelligence agency. With a world-weary attitude he’s seen it all before, but he still manages to face a new challenge within each new and thrilling instalment, something which readers have flocked to in droves.

With a clear cinematic quality they haven’t been adapted for the screen yet, but it seems that they’d be a perfect fit, something which his many readers would agree with. The series itself has gained plaudits from a number of different publications, as well as from his fellow contemporaries, garnering him success both critically and commercially. As the series continues so to does its readership with it growing from strength-to-strength with each instalment, something that shall continue for some time yet.

The Cleaner

Initially published on the 26th of June, 2007, through the Delacourte Press publishing label, this was the first book that set the series up as a whole. Creating the overall style, pace and tone of the series it manages to bring the character of Jonathan Quinn to the forefront, establishing him as a key protagonist. It also manages to build a sense of the world he inhabits, setting up much the back-stories, as well as providing the narrative for what was to follow.

Taking place in a shadowy underworld, it’s clear that Battles has a firm grip on the world they’re all inhabiting. With a keen eye for detail and accuracy it manages to portray a realistic view of the intelligence services, whilst simultaneously not letting up on the action. Whilst it is somewhat dark as well, it still isn’t unrelenting in its ‘gritty’ portrayal of its world, as it allows some light to shine through along the way.

In it though we’re introduced to the leading protagonist of Jonathan Quinn for the first time; a hard-boiled ex-cop now turned freelance. He’s got a tough attitude and an equally tough outlook on life, something that is really well established as we meet him for the first time. That’s not to say he’s completely disgruntled to the point of being unempathetic, as Battles manages to subvert the trope of the ‘loner cop’ to great effect. This is seen in how he interacts with those around him too, along with his supporting cast, who play off the eponymous hero well. It’s also said that a hero is only as good as his villain, and this is something that Brett Battles knows only too well, as he inserts a compelling killer into the action.

Starting out with a basic job that seems so simple for Quinn, he finds himself taking an arson case that seems quite straightforward. There’s some suspicion to it, but nothing untoward; that is until a body turns up out of the blue and turns everything upside down. Not only that, but his partners in ‘the Office’ where he gets his assignments from has now gone silent, meaning something’s afoot. That’s when someone from his past turns up once again in the form of a woman named Orlando, who may prove to be essential in solving this case. As they cross continents and they world, they both begin to uncover a massive global conspiracy of epic proportions, all whilst attempting to be found out themselves and evade danger. Maintaining the suspense throughout, Battles manages to bring it all to a thrilling conclusion, with some major twists and turns along the way, leading to one final shocking climax.

Setting up to be what is one of his most profitable franchises to date, Battles manages to keep his readers guessing right until the very end. Who is the body and how were they implicated in this case? Can Quinn and Orlando evade the killer and shed some light on this massive global conspiracy? What will become of he who is known only as the cleaner?

The Deceived

Originally published on the 24th of June through the Delacourte Press publishing label once again, this was to be a direct follow-up to the first. Continuing on from the last, it carries a lot of the story from the original, as well as most of the main characters, picking up with another major case for the intrepid freelancer. Providing more of the same, this shows Battles as an author who is now clearly in his element, as he has a strong understanding of the characters and the world they inhabit, along with where they’re going.

Usually Quinn would try and keep emotion out of the mix, but it’s going to be difficult this time as an old friend and colleague is murdered. With the body turning up in a shipping container in Los Angeles it appears that all the old rules are now out of the window, as he’s out to make the culprits pay. When Jenny, the girlfriend of ex-CIA now and deceased Steven Markoff, goes missing herself it appears that there’s trouble definitely afoot. With the help of Orlando once more, Jonathan Quinn will get to the bottom of the case even if it kills him. Who would murder his friend Steven? Where has Jenny disappeared to? Just who are the deceived?

The Jonathan Quinn Series

Garnering a lot of success and acclaim both nationally and internationally, this series has managed to become a worldwide sensation. Along with his many other series they manage to capture the attention of the reader and not let up throughout, right until the thrilling denouement. This appears to be something that’s set to continue on into the foreseeable future, as plenty more books are set to be released on the horizon, making this one of his most profitable series to date.