📚 Where to Start?

Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books Best for beginners - Start with "Act of Will" (2009)
Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books Popular choice - Start with "Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact" (2011)
Publication Order of Steeplejack Books Popular choice - Start with "Steeplejack" (2016)
Publication Order of Sekret Machines Books Popular choice - Start with "Chasing Shadows" (2016)

About the Author

A.J. Hartley is an American author with British roots that writes mystery thrillers and fantasy. The author has gained quick success since he first appeared on the scene in the mid 2000s. +Biography A.J. Hartley was born in Preston in Lancashire. The author has lived a more interesting life than most. And that isn’t merely because of the two years he spent teaching English in Japan or all the countries he eventually visited as he traversed Asia. Born in 1964, Hartley is a bit of a late bloomer, at least with regards to publishing. Writing fiction is one dream the author did not immediately pursue. Though that might be because he was too busy getting his Masters and Doctoral Degrees in English Literature in the United States. It wasn’t always so obvious that A.J. Hartley would take to Engli. A.J. Hartley is the author of over 27 books across 10 series. Their most famous work is the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books series, which has garnered millions of readers worldwide. With such a prolific career, A.J. Hartley has established themselves as one of the most influential authors in contemporary fiction.

Book Series in Publication Order

Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books

4 books
  • Act of Will In 'Act of Will', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books saga.
    (2009) ⭐ Start here
  • Will Power The Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books series continues with 'Will Power', another thrilling entry from A.J. Hartley.
    (2010) ⭐ Start here
  • The Cerulean Stone Experience the magic of 'The Cerulean Stone' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books universe.
    (2013) ⭐ Start here
  • The Slave Trader's Wedding 'The Slave Trader's Wedding' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books series, set in the world A.J. Hartley has created.
    (2013) ⭐ Start here

Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books

3 books
  • Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact Experience the magic of 'Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books universe.
    (2011)
  • Darwen Arkwright and the Insidious Bleck Join the adventure in 'Darwen Arkwright and the Insidious Bleck' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books series by A.J. Hartley.
    (2012)
  • Darwen Arkwright and the School of Shadows The Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books series continues with 'Darwen Arkwright and the School of Shadows', another thrilling entry from A.J. Hartley.
    (2013)

Publication Order of Steeplejack Books

3 books
  • Steeplejack Join the adventure in 'Steeplejack' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Steeplejack Books series by A.J. Hartley.
    (2016)
  • Firebrand Experience the magic of 'Firebrand' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Steeplejack Books universe.
    (2017)
  • Guardian Experience the magic of 'Guardian' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Steeplejack Books universe.
    (2018)

Publication Order of Sekret Machines Books

2 books
  • Chasing Shadows 'Chasing Shadows' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Sekret Machines Books series, set in the world A.J. Hartley has created.
    (2016)
  • A Fire Within Experience the magic of 'A Fire Within' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Sekret Machines Books universe.
    (2018)

Publication Order of Planet of Blood and Ice Books

1 books
  • Cathedrals of Glass Join the adventure in 'Cathedrals of Glass' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Planet of Blood and Ice Books series by A.J. Hartley.
    (2017)

Publication Order of Cold Bath Street Books

2 books
  • Cold Bath Street Experience the magic of 'Cold Bath Street' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Cold Bath Street Books universe.
    (2018)
  • Written Stone Lane Experience the magic of 'Written Stone Lane' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Cold Bath Street Books universe.
    (2019)

Publication Order of Beyond the Mirror Books

2 books
  • Monsters in the Mirror In 'Monsters in the Mirror', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Beyond the Mirror Books saga.
    (2019)
  • Mirrocilist Mission In 'Mirrocilist Mission', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Beyond the Mirror Books saga.
    (2019)

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

6 books
  • Impervious 'Impervious' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world A.J. Hartley has created.
    (2002)
  • The Mask of Atreus Join the adventure in 'The Mask of Atreus' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by A.J. Hartley.
    (2005)
  • On the Fifth Day Experience the magic of 'On the Fifth Day' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.
    (2007)
  • What Time Devours 'What Time Devours' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world A.J. Hartley has created.
    (2008)
  • Tears of the Jaguar The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'Tears of the Jaguar', another thrilling entry from A.J. Hartley.
    (2012)
  • Burning Shakespeare Join the adventure in 'Burning Shakespeare' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by A.J. Hartley.
    (2022)

Publication Order of Short Stories / Novellas

1 books
  • Chains Join the adventure in 'Chains' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Short Stories / Novellas series by A.J. Hartley.
    (2016)

Publication Order of Anthologies

3 books
  • Legends of the Dragon Vol. 1 Epic fantasy awaits in 'Legends of the Dragon Vol. 1', a landmark novel in the Publication Order of Anthologies series by A.J. Hartley.
    (2015)
  • Instinct: An Animal Rescuers Anthology In 'Instinct: An Animal Rescuers Anthology', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Anthologies saga.
    (2023)
  • Appalachian Strong: A Charity Anthology Benefiting the Survivors of Hurricane Helene Experience the magic of 'Appalachian Strong: A Charity Anthology Benefiting the Survivors of Hurricane Helene' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Anthologies universe.
    (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is A.J. Hartley?

A.J. Hartley is a bestselling author known for 10 book series containing over 27 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books, Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books, Publication Order of Steeplejack Books. Their work has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

Q: What is the best A.J. Hartley book series to start with?

For readers new to A.J. Hartley's work, we recommend starting with the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books series. This series showcases the author's signature style and is considered one of their most accessible and engaging works. With 4 books, it offers a perfect entry point to A.J. Hartley's writing.

Q: How many books has A.J. Hartley written?

A.J. Hartley has written over 27 books across 10 different series. From thriller mysteries to fantasy adventures, their diverse body of work offers something for every reader.