Jordan Harper Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Anthologies

The American writer Jordan Harper is a world renowned writer of crime fiction, as he writes for a global audience, whilst simultaneously writing stories that are completely true to him and what he’s looking to say. Knowing and understanding his craft precisely, he really manages to create a sense of ambiance and atmosphere through his work that is both dark and brooding in equal measure. This then allows the reader to immerse themselves into his world with his rich and vivid descriptions, coupled with his well established character studies that really resonate with the reader on a personal level. Largely focusing on crime and thriller novels, he really knows how to display the darkened underworld, as he writes in a manner that is evocative of the noir genre, whilst also ensuring that his characters remain true throughout as well. Working in both print and television, he has enabled himself to gain a good visual sense of his worlds, something which really works on both the page and on-screen. This is something that has also been accentuated through his time working as a rock critic too, as well as an ad man, as he’s no stranger to large audiences. Following on in the tradition of James Ellroy and Cormac McCarthy, he’s sure to be around for a long time to come, as his career grows from strength-to-strength.

Early and Personal Life

Born in Springfield in Missouri, Jordan Harper would grow up as a passionate storyteller, constantly reading and writing, whilst nurturing a strong passion for literature. This he would continue throughout his education too, as he would be educated within the area as well, all the while constantly honing and refining his craft. Still writing to this very day, he currently lives in Los Angeles in California, whereby he writes thriller and crime novels, with a clear affinity for the area, something which will carry on for a long time to come.

Writing Career

Originally writing the novel ‘American Death Songs’ in 2012, Jordan Harper would be drawn to crime fiction from the outset. Having largely been a contributor to many crime fiction compendiums prior to that, he would go on to make a name for himself as a crime writer in his own right. Before this he would work as a rock music critic for Village Voice Media, as well as working as an editor for St. Louis’s Riverfront Times too. This would lead to him making a name for himself, allowing him to well establish his brand before turning to fictional writing full-time. Known as a writer for television too, he also writes for the Fox company, as he writes for the show ‘Gotham’, something which has also allowed him to establish his craft too. Working as an ad man too, he really has an understanding of what it is that the general public wants, something which he’ll continue to give them for many years to follow.

She Rides Shotgun

Brought out through the Simon and Schuster publishing label, this was a stand-alone title to be published by Jordan Harper. Originally released on the 4th of May in 2017, this would provide another hard-boiled action thriller, filled with excitement and intrigue. His characters would also become timeless too, as he would create strong and resourceful leading protagonists that would stay with the reader long after they put the book down.

Whilst this isn’t part of any series as such, it does manage to create a world that is entirely singular to the vision and outlook of Jordan Harper’s. Showing great care with his characters, he expertly crafts the personalities of both Nate and Polly, as they practically leap off the page almost, The same is achieved through his sense of location too, as he really manages to evoke a real feeling of atmosphere and ambiance too.

A smart young girl of eleven with wisdom beyond her years, Polly is somewhat of a loner, as she has the disposition of the father she’s never met according to her mother. That’s when her father Nate is finally released from prison, but he has been targeted by the Aryan Brotherhood after running afoul of them, which in turn means that all his family will also be targeted too. Taking care of his daughter, he aims to teach her how to look after herself in a dangerous and deadly world where it’s kill or be killed. Can they survive? Will they ever break free? What will Polly learn when she rides shotgun?

Love and Other Wounds

Released through the Simon and Schuster publishing label once again, this would also provide a stand-alone title, not being a part of any overall series. Setting up another thriller novel for Jordan Harper, it sees him on familiar territory, as he returns to his roots doing what he does best. Initially published on the 5th of October in 2017, this would allow him to develop his career even further than ever before, taking it forwards in a new and exciting direction.

Heading once more into a murky underworld, Harper revels in the darker recesses of human nature, allowing the shadows of the psyche to really flourish. Using a whole range of different characters this time, it really draws out their humanity, as they each have their own story to tell. This is reflected through the use of location too, as Harper really utilizes each setting to full effect, really making the most of it all.

Starting out with a whole range of different characters, it sees a man attempting to escape his former life in a hailstorm of bullets. Then there’s the Hollywood fixer who just happens to find love over the corpse of a dead celebrity, all whilst an obese woman hopes to escape with the jewel thief that plans to rob the store where she works. All are hoping to break away from the world and the lives that they once knew and start afresh, as they all brought together in one thrilling narrative. Will they find what they’re looking for? Can they start afresh? What will they find among the love and other wounds?