A

A.J. Hartley

Bestselling Author • 10 Series • 27 Books

10
Series
27
Books
10
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books
Start with: Act of Will (2009)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books
Start with: Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact (2011)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Steeplejack Books
Start with: Steeplejack (2016)

About A.J. Hartley

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. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books series, A.J. Hartley has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by A.J. Hartley

Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books
4 books 2009–2013
1

Act of Will

Act of Will continues the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2009
2

Will Power

Will Power is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of A.J. Hartley have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2010
3

The Cerulean Stone

The Cerulean Stone continues the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2013
4

The Slave Trader's Wedding

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books with The Slave Trader's Wedding, another outstanding contribution from A.J. Hartley.

Buy on Amazon
2013
Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books
3 books 2011–2013
1

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact continues the Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2011
2

Darwen Arkwright and the Insidious Bleck

Darwen Arkwright and the Insidious Bleck continues the Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2012
3

Darwen Arkwright and the School of Shadows

Darwen Arkwright and the School of Shadows is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Darwen Arkwright Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of A.J. Hartley have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2013
Publication Order of Steeplejack Books
3 books 2016–2018
1

Steeplejack

Steeplejack is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Steeplejack Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of A.J. Hartley have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2016
2

Firebrand

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Steeplejack Books with Firebrand, another outstanding contribution from A.J. Hartley.

Buy on Amazon
2017
3

Guardian

Guardian is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Steeplejack Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of A.J. Hartley have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2018
Publication Order of Sekret Machines Books
2 books 2016–2018
1

Chasing Shadows

Chasing Shadows continues the Publication Order of Sekret Machines Books story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2016
2

A Fire Within

A Fire Within is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Sekret Machines Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of A.J. Hartley have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2018
Publication Order of Planet of Blood and Ice Books
1 books 2017–2017
1

Cathedrals of Glass

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Planet of Blood and Ice Books with Cathedrals of Glass, another outstanding contribution from A.J. Hartley.

Buy on Amazon
2017
Publication Order of Cold Bath Street Books
2 books 2018–2019
1

Cold Bath Street

Cold Bath Street is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Cold Bath Street Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of A.J. Hartley have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2018
2

Written Stone Lane

Written Stone Lane continues the Publication Order of Cold Bath Street Books story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2019
Publication Order of Beyond the Mirror Books
2 books 2019–2019
1

Monsters in the Mirror

Monsters in the Mirror continues the Publication Order of Beyond the Mirror Books story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2019
2

Mirrocilist Mission

Mirrocilist Mission continues the Publication Order of Beyond the Mirror Books story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2019
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
6 books 2002–2022
1

Impervious

Impervious continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2002
2

The Mask of Atreus

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Mask of Atreus, another outstanding contribution from A.J. Hartley.

Buy on Amazon
2005
3

On the Fifth Day

On the Fifth Day continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2007
4

What Time Devours

What Time Devours is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of A.J. Hartley have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2008
5

Tears of the Jaguar

Tears of the Jaguar continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2012
6

Burning Shakespeare

Burning Shakespeare is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of A.J. Hartley have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2022
Publication Order of Short Stories / Novellas
1 books 2016–2016
1

Chains

Chains continues the Publication Order of Short Stories / Novellas story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2016
Publication Order of Anthologies
3 books 2015–2025
1

Legends of the Dragon Vol. 1

Epic adventure awaits in Legends of the Dragon Vol. 1, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Anthologies series that raises the stakes across the realm A.J. Hartley has built.

Buy on Amazon
2015
2

Instinct: An Animal Rescuers Anthology

Instinct: An Animal Rescuers Anthology continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with A.J. Hartley's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2023
3

Appalachian Strong: A Charity Anthology Benefiting the Survivors of Hurricane Helene

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Appalachian Strong: A Charity Anthology Benefiting the Survivors of Hurricane Helene, another outstanding contribution from A.J. Hartley.

Buy on Amazon
2025

? Frequently Asked Questions

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 spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

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

For readers new to A.J. Hartley's work, the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 4 books. Begin with Act of Will to start from the very beginning.

How many books has A.J. Hartley written?

A.J. Hartley has written over 27 books across 10 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read A.J. Hartley books in order?

Yes, reading A.J. Hartley's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does A.J. Hartley write in?

A.J. Hartley writes primarily in fiction. With 10 series across 27 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are A.J. Hartley's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of A.J. Hartley's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is A.J. Hartley's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, A.J. Hartley's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Will Hawthorne Books series. The first book, Act of Will, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.