Bradley George Thor Jr., born on August 21, 1969, is a renowned American thriller writer.
His impressive literary collection includes titles such as The Lions of Lucerne, The First Commandment, and The Last Patriot. “Rising Tiger”, the latest installment of his Harvath series, was unveiled in July 2022. He also penned a short tale, “The Athens Solution”, for the anthology, Thriller, curated by James Patterson.
Thor’s works have reached a global audience, with translations available worldwide. His work, The Last Patriot, earned a nomination for Best Thriller of the Year by the International Thriller Writers Association, and NPR listeners acclaimed his novel Blowback as one of the 100 Best Ever Killer Thrillers.
Apart from writing, Thor is affiliated with The Heritage Foundation and has expressed his insights at their national center about the importance of comprehensive missile defense.
He is a familiar face on Fox News and The Blaze. Regularly featured on the Glenn Beck TV show, Thor has also been a guest on multiple other networks such as CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and PBS, mainly discussing the intersection of his novels with real-world threats and terrorism.
Early Life
A native of Chicago, Thor spent eight years in Park City, Utah. His educational background includes attending the Sacred Heart Schools, the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, and graduating cum laude from the University of Southern California.
There, he honed his creative writing skills under the guidance of author T.C. Boyle, which are evident in his captivating narratives that dive deep into the secret operations of the US government and the world at large.
Recent Life
In 2016, Thor faced controversy when he made speculative comments on the Glenn Beck radio show regarding Donald Trump. The statements seemed to show tentative support for actions against Trump under specific conditions. However, he clarified that these remarks did not encourage harm. Despite early reservations, Thor later expressed a preference for Trump over Hillary Clinton.
Initially considering a run for the U.S. presidency in 2020, Thor withdrew his candidacy on July 5, 2018. He shifted from the Republican Party, becoming an independent due to his dissatisfaction with the Republican-majority Congress and President Donald Trump.
The Rise of Scot Harvath
Brad Thor, has consistently amazed readers with his gripping tales of espionage, politics, and covert operations. Often set against the political backdrop of the United States government, Thor’s novels have always managed to find their place in the New York Times bestseller list. A significant reason for this success is the fictional character, Scot Harvath, an ex-Navy SEAL turned Secret Service agent, and later a covert counterterrorism operative.
The Scot Harvath series kicks off with “The Lions of Lucerne”. Set on the snow-covered slopes of Utah, the story revolves around the kidnapping of the President of the United States. With most of his secret service detail killed, the only hope lies in the hands of former Navy SEAL, Scot Harvath.
As the series unfolds, readers follow Harvath on his dangerous missions. From New York City’s streets in “Path of the Assassin”, where evidence points to a personal vendetta against the President, to the Mediterranean Sea in “State of the Union”, where the most unlikely terrorist enemy seeks to cripple the US on American soil.
“Black List” introduces readers to a secret committee within the US government, controlling black ops budgets of the Department of Defense. With Scot Harvath’s name wrongfully added to this list, the story takes a chilling turn as he becomes the target.
“Hidden Order” delves into the world’s most secretive organization – the Federal Reserve. When five candidates to head this institution vanish, Harvath is pulled into the fray. Following this is “Act of War”, where a flawlessly executed terrorist attack is traced back to a secret organization from the Middle East, and only Harvath can thwart their next move.
Harvath’s Evolution
The character of Scot Harvath isn’t static. From being an ex-Navy SEAL Secret Service agent in “The Lions of Lucerne”, he transitions into a black ops team member by “Foreign Influence”, and eventually evolves as a key CIA agent by “Foreign Agent”.
In “Code of Conduct”, Harvath discovers a secret allied plot on a global scale, which if falls into wrong hands, could spell doom for the world. Similarly, in “Use of Force”, a top asset surfaces with a dangerous tape, setting Harvath on a path to prevent a disaster.
“Black Ice”, another gem in Thor’s novels, sees Harvath on a mission in the backdrop of the cold, treacherous terrains of Europe, racing against time to thwart a dangerous plan targeting the United States.
Standalone & Other Works
While the Scot Harvath series is a fan favorite, Brad Thor has also penned The Athena Project, a standalone novel about an elite team of foreign operatives, all women, who undertake the most challenging missions.
In addition to his full-length novels, Thor has also showcased his prowess in “Free Fall”, “Epilogue”, and “The Athens Solution”, short stories that further the narratives of his characters.
Brad Thor’s books aren’t just tales of espionage. They are a testament to meticulous research, drawing parallels with current events and possible scenarios. The raw authenticity with which he describes operations, coupled with his extensive experience of interviewing real-life operatives and members of Congress, adds layers to his works.
For fans and new readers alike, it’s essential to read Brad Thor books in chronological order to fully appreciate the evolution of characters, especially the former Navy SEAL Scot Harvath. From hunting terrorists in the burning city streets of the Middle East to confronting powerful forces on the home front, Harvath’s journey is one of resilience, skill, and unyielding patriotism.
Brad Thor continues to be an influential voice in thriller writing. With each new book, he not only entertains but also prompts readers to question and understand the deeper mechanisms at play in global politics and covert operations.
Order of Scot Harvath Books
The Lions of Lucerne -2001 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 624 Pages - 12/28/2010 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
Path of the Assassin -2003 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 624 Pages - 02/22/2011 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
State of the Union -2004 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 592 Pages - 02/22/2011 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
Blowback -2005 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Author: Thor, Brad.
- Publisher: Pocket Books
- Pages: 688
- Publication Date: 2011
- Edition: Reissue
Takedown -2006 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages - 01/19/2021 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
The First Commandment -2007 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 528 Pages - 04/26/2011 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
The Last Patriot -2008 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 512 Pages - 05/19/2009 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
The Apostle -2009 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 03/02/2021 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Foreign Influence -2010 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 560 Pages - 05/24/2011 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
Full Black -2011 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 496 Pages - 05/22/2012 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
Black List -2012 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Author: Brad Thor.
- Publisher: Pocket Books
- Pages: 480
- Publication Date: 2013
- Edition: Reprint
Hidden Order -2013 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 480 Pages - 05/20/2014 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
Act of War -2014 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 464 Pages - 05/26/2015 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
Code of Conduct -2015 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 480 Pages - 05/24/2016 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
Foreign Agent -2016 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Hardcover Book
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 06/14/2016 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Use of Force -2017 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Hardcover Book
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 368 Pages - 06/27/2017 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Spymaster -2018 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Hardcover Book
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages - 07/03/2018 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Backlash -2019 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 467 Pages - 06/25/2019 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Near Dark -2020 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 368 Pages - 09/20/2022 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Black Ice -2021 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 03/07/2023 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Rising Tiger -2022 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Hardcover Book
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages - 07/05/2022 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Dead Fall -2023 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 348 Pages - 07/25/2023 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Order of Scot Harvath Short Stories/Novellas
Free Fall: A Prelude to Hidden Order -2013 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 52 Pages - 06/11/2013 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Epilogue II: A Bonus Chapter to Hidden Order -2013 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 45 Pages - 10/08/2013 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
The Athens Solution -2015 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages - 12/08/2015 (Publication Date) - Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Publisher)
Order of Standalone Novels
The Athena Project -2010 —– Buy Now From Amazon
- Thor, Brad (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 432 Pages - 10/18/2011 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
Whether you’re looking to pick up your first Brad Thor book or eagerly awaiting his new release, one thing is for sure – you’re in for a roller-coaster ride of suspense, intrigue, and unmatched storytelling.