Stephen Hunter

Stephen Hunter

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The Gun Man Jackson Swagger (Standalone) was the most recently released book by Stephen Hunter, on October 14th, 2025.

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Stephen Hunter Stats: The highest rated book by Stephen Hunter on Book Notification is Pale Horse Coming, the 2nd novel in the Earl Swagger series. The second-highest rated book is The Bullet Garden (Earl Swagger #4).

The most read book by Stephen Hunter on Book Notification is Point of Impact, the first novel in the Bob Lee Swagger series. The second most read book is Time to Hunt (Bob Lee Swagger #3).

Below is a complete list of Stephen Hunter books in publication and chronological order, broken down by series. The most popular series by Stephen Hunter is the Bob Lee Swagger Series.

List of Bob Lee Swagger Books in Publication Order

Bob Lee Swagger is a former Marine sniper who tackles various challenges and uncovers conspiracies with his expert marksmanship and investigative skills.

The standalone Dirty White Boys should be read prior to Black Light. After Time To Hunt you should read the Earl Swagger trilogy.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8.5
Point of Impact
1993
Go
2
8.9
Black Light
1996
Go
3
8.7
Time to Hunt
1998
Go
4
6.1
The 47th Samurai
2007
Go
5
6.8
Night of Thunder
2008
Go
6
6.5
I, Sniper
2009
Go
7
6.6
Dead Zero
2010
Go
8
8.4
The Third Bullet
2013
Go
9
8.9
Sniper's Honor
2014
Go
10
8
G-Man
2017
Go
11
7.9
Game of Snipers
2019
Go
12
8.6
Targeted
2022
Go

List of Earl Swagger Books in Publication Order

Follows a former Marine and lawman as he tackles crime and corruption in post-WWII America.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8.3
Hot Springs
2000
Go
2
9.4
Pale Horse Coming
2001
Go
3
7.6
Havana
2003
Go
4
9.1
The Bullet Garden
2023
Go

List of Earl Swagger Books in Chronological Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
9.1
The Bullet Garden
2023
Go
2
8.3
Hot Springs
2000
Go
3
9.4
Pale Horse Coming
2001
Go
4
7.6
Havana
2003
Go

List of Swagger Collections in Publication Order

Follows the Swagger family, with each of them tackling a violent local case.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8.7
Front Sight
2024
Go

List of Ray Cruz Books in Publication Order

This series centers on Ray Cruz, a former Marine sniper who navigates complex situations and dangerous missions using his military training and instincts.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
6.6
Dead Zero
2010
Go
2
5.8
Soft Target
2011
Go

List of Standalone Novels in Publication Order

Ranked by popularity, the top standalone books are Dirty White Boys, The Day Before Midnight, and The Master Sniper.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
9
The Master Sniper
1980
Go
2
7.1
The Second Saladin
1982
Go
3
8.6
The Spanish Gambit / Tapestry of Spies
1985
Go
4
7.5
Target
1985
Go
5
9
The Day Before Midnight
1989
Go
6
9
Dirty White Boys
1994
Go
7
7.4
I, Ripper
2015
Go
8
8
Basil's War
2021
Go
9
6.5
The Gun Man Jackson Swagger
2025
Go

List of Short Stories/Novellas in Publication Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
9
Stephen Longacre's Greatest Match
2014
Go
2
9
Citadel
2016
Go

List of Non-Fiction Books in Publication Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
9
Violent Screen
1995
Go
2
9
Now Playing at the Valencia
2005
Go
3
10
American Gunfight (With: John Bainbridge Jr.)
2005
Go

List of Swaggerverse Books in Publication Order

Stephen has written numerous books about Earl Swagger, his son Bob Lee Swagger, and his father Charles Swagger. This "universe" listing compiles them complete with a chronological order, as well as any standalone novels featuring characters from within the "Swaggerverse".

Note: Point of Impact has flashbacks to the 1940s. G-Man has an alternate timeframe, and we have listed it from the 1934 perspective.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
7.1
The Second Saladin
1982
Go
2
8.5
Point of Impact
1993
Go
3
9
Dirty White Boys
1994
Go
4
8.9
Black Light
1996
Go
5
8.7
Time to Hunt
1998
Go
6
8.3
Hot Springs
2000
Go
7
9.4
Pale Horse Coming
2001
Go
8
7.6
Havana
2003
Go
9
6.1
The 47th Samurai
2007
Go
10
6.8
Night of Thunder
2008
Go
11
6.5
I, Sniper
2009
Go
12
6.6
Dead Zero
2010
Go
13
5.8
Soft Target
2011
Go
14
8.4
The Third Bullet
2013
Go
15
8.9
Sniper's Honor
2014
Go
16
8
G-Man
2017
Go
17
7.9
Game of Snipers
2019
Go
18
8.6
Targeted
2022
Go
19
9.1
The Bullet Garden
2023
Go
20
8
City of Meat
2024
Go
21
7
Five Dolls for the Gut Hook
2024
Go
22
7
Johnny Tuesday
2024
Go
23
6.5
The Gun Man Jackson Swagger
2025
Go

List of Swaggerverse Books in Chronological Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
6.5
The Gun Man Jackson Swagger
2025
Go
2
8
City of Meat
2024
Go
3
8
G-Man
2017
Go
4
9.1
The Bullet Garden
2023
Go
5
7
Johnny Tuesday
2024
Go
6
8.3
Hot Springs
2000
Go
7
9.4
Pale Horse Coming
2001
Go
8
7.6
Havana
2003
Go
9
7.1
The Second Saladin
1982
Go
10
7
Five Dolls for the Gut Hook
2024
Go
11
8.5
Point of Impact
1993
Go
12
9
Dirty White Boys
1994
Go
13
8.9
Black Light
1996
Go
14
8.7
Time to Hunt
1998
Go
15
6.1
The 47th Samurai
2007
Go
16
6.8
Night of Thunder
2008
Go
17
6.5
I, Sniper
2009
Go
18
6.6
Dead Zero
2010
Go
19
5.8
Soft Target
2011
Go
20
8.4
The Third Bullet
2013
Go
21
8.9
Sniper's Honor
2014
Go
22
7.9
Game of Snipers
2019
Go
23
8.6
Targeted
2022
Go

List of Bibliomysteries Books in Publication Order

Mystery and suspense stories, each centered on books, libraries, or the literary world.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
10
The Book of Virtue (By: Ken Bruen)
2012
Go
2
Pronghorns of the Third Reich (By: C.J. Box)
2012
Go
3
7.8
The Book Thing (By: Laura Lippman)
2012
Go
4
The Book Case (By: Nelson DeMille)
2012
Go
5
9.5
An Acceptable Sacrifice ( By: Jeffery Deaver)
2012
Go
6
Death Leaves a Bookmark (By: William Link)
2012
Go
7
The Final Testament (By: Peter Blauner)
2013
Go
8
Rides a Stranger (By: David Bell)
2013
Go
9
The Long Sonata of the Dead (By: Andrew Taylor)
2013
Go
10
The Book of Ghosts ( By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
2013
Go
11
9
The Compendium of Srem (By: F. Paul Wilson)
2014
Go
12
What's in a Name? ( By: Thomas H. Cook)
2014
Go
13
8
Remaindered (By: Peter Lovesey)
2014
Go
14
The Sequel (By: R.L. Stine)
2014
Go
15
The Gospel of Sheba (By: Lyndsay Faye)
2014
Go
16
9
Book Club (By: Loren D. Estleman)
2014
Go
17
The Nature of My Inheritance (By: Bradford Morrow)
2014
Go
18
It's in the Book (By: Max Allan Collins, Mickey Spillane)
2014
Go
19
8.5
The Scroll (By: Anne Perry)
2014
Go
20
The Book of the Lion (By: Thomas Perry)
2015
Go
21
The Little Men (By: Megan Abbott)
2015
Go
22
Condor in the Stacks (By: James Grady)
2015
Go
23
Mystery, Inc. (By: Joyce Carol Oates)
2015
Go
24
Every Seven Years (By: Denise Mina)
2015
Go
25
From the Queen (By: Carolyn Hart)
2015
Go
26
8.5
The Travelling Companion ( By: Ian Rankin)
2016
Go
27
9
Citadel
2016
Go
28
Reconciliation Day (By: Christopher Fowler)
2016
Go
29
Dead Dames Don't Sing (By: John Harvey)
2016
Go
30
The Haze (By: James W. Hall)
2016
Go
31
Hoodoo Harry (By: Joe R. Lansdale)
2017
Go
32
10
The Pretty Little Box ( By: Charles Todd)
2018
Go
33
6
Seven Years (By: Peter Robinson)
2018
Go
34
The Hemingway Valise (By: Robert Olen Butler)
2018
Go
35
The Last Honest Horse Thief (By: Michael Koryta)
2018
Go
36
8
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (By: John Connolly)
2018
Go
37
The Girl Who Did Say No (By: David Handler)
2020
Go
38
The Traitor (By: Martin Edwards)
2022
Go
39
The Dark Door (By: Lisa Unger)
2022
Go
40
The Honeymoon Trap (By: Peter Swanson)
2022
Go
Show All Books in this Series

List of Bibliomysteries Books in Chronological Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
10
The Book of Virtue (By: Ken Bruen)
2012
Go
2
8.5
The Scroll (By: Anne Perry)
2014
Go
3
Pronghorns of the Third Reich (By: C.J. Box)
2012
Go
4
9.5
An Acceptable Sacrifice ( By: Jeffery Deaver)
2012
Go
5
Death Leaves a Bookmark (By: William Link)
2012
Go
6
6
Seven Years (By: Peter Robinson)
2018
Go
7
7.8
The Book Thing (By: Laura Lippman)
2012
Go
8
The Book of Ghosts ( By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
2013
Go
9
9
Book Club (By: Loren D. Estleman)
2014
Go
10
The Long Sonata of the Dead (By: Andrew Taylor)
2013
Go
11
The Final Testament (By: Peter Blauner)
2013
Go
12
Rides a Stranger (By: David Bell)
2013
Go
13
What's in a Name? ( By: Thomas H. Cook)
2014
Go
14
It's in the Book (By: Max Allan Collins, Mickey Spillane)
2014
Go
15
The Nature of My Inheritance (By: Bradford Morrow)
2014
Go
16
8
Remaindered (By: Peter Lovesey)
2014
Go
17
9
The Compendium of Srem (By: F. Paul Wilson)
2014
Go
18
The Gospel of Sheba (By: Lyndsay Faye)
2014
Go
19
The Sequel (By: R.L. Stine)
2014
Go
20
The Book of the Lion (By: Thomas Perry)
2015
Go
21
The Little Men (By: Megan Abbott)
2015
Go
23
Every Seven Years (By: Denise Mina)
2015
Go
24
9
Citadel
2016
Go
25
Condor in the Stacks (By: James Grady)
2015
Go
26
Mystery, Inc. (By: Joyce Carol Oates)
2015
Go
27
8.5
The Travelling Companion ( By: Ian Rankin)
2016
Go
28
The Haze (By: James W. Hall)
2016
Go
29
Dead Dames Don't Sing (By: John Harvey)
2016
Go
30
Reconciliation Day (By: Christopher Fowler)
2016
Go
31
Hoodoo Harry (By: Joe R. Lansdale)
2017
Go
32
10
The Pretty Little Box ( By: Charles Todd)
2018
Go
33
8
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (By: John Connolly)
2018
Go
34
The Hemingway Valise (By: Robert Olen Butler)
2018
Go
35
The Last Honest Horse Thief (By: Michael Koryta)
2018
Go
36
The Book Case (By: Nelson DeMille)
2012
Go
37
From the Queen (By: Carolyn Hart)
2015
Go
38
The Girl Who Did Say No (By: David Handler)
2020
Go
39
The Traitor (By: Martin Edwards)
2022
Go
40
The Dark Door (By: Lisa Unger)
2022
Go
41
The Honeymoon Trap (By: Peter Swanson)
2022
Go
Show All Books in this Series

List of Mysterious Profiles Books in Publication Order

The Mysterious Profiles series offers brief biographies of iconic mystery writers, providing insights into their lives, works, and the creation of their most famous characters.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Rambo (By: David Morrell)
2022
2
8.7
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike (By: Robert Crais)
2022
Go
3
9
Jack Taylor (By: Ken Bruen)
2022
Go
4
7.7
Jack Reacher (By: Lee Child)
2022
Go
5
9
Charlie Parker (By: John Connolly)
2022
Go
6
8
Hieronymus Bosch (By: Michael Connelly)
2022
Go
7
8
Lincoln Rhyme (By: Jeffery Deaver)
2022
Go
8
9.5
Alex Delaware (By: Jonathan Kellerman)
2022
Go
9
Tess Monaghan (By: Laura Lippman)
2022
Go
10
8
Charlie Resnick (By: John Harvey)
2022
Go
11
Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus (By: Faye Kellerman)
2022
Go
12
9.5
Inspector Morse (By: Colin Dexter)
2022
Go
13
8
Dismas Hardy (By: John Lescroart)
2022
Go
14
9
Bob Lee Swagger
2022
Go
15
9.8
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast (By: Douglas Preston)
2022
Go
16
8
Lou Boldt (By: Ridley Pearson)
2022
Go
17
9
Spenser (By: Robert B. Parker)
2022
Go
18
10
Charlotte and Thomas Pitt (By: Anne Perry)
2022
Go
19
9
John Rebus (By: Ian Rankin)
2022
Go
20
10
Mallory (By: Carol O'Connell)
2022
Go
21
9
Jane Whitefield (By: Thomas Perry)
2022
Go
22
6.7
Ian Rutledge ( By: Charles Todd)
2022
Go
23
9
Amos Walker (By: Loren D. Estleman)
2022
Go
24
9.7
Precious Ramotswe (By: Alexander McCall Smith)
2022
Go
25
8.2
Maisie Dobbs (By: Jacqueline Winspear)
2022
Go
26
8.5
The Lincoln Lawyer (By: Michael Connelly)
2022
Go
27
Condor ( By: James Grady)
2023
Go
28
Ben Kincaid ( By: William Bernhardt)
2023
Go
29
10
Repairman Jack (By: F. Paul Wilson)
2023
Go
30
7
Joe Pickett (By: C.J. Box)
2024
Go
31
Peter Diamond (By: Peter Lovesey)
2024
Go
32
Nathan Heller (By: Max Allan Collins)
2024
Go
33
7.5
Orphan X (By: Gregg Hurwitz)
2025
Go
Show All Books in this Series
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Stephen Hunter

Stephen Hunter was born on March 25th, 1946 and is currently 80 years old. Stephen Hunter was born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Hunter attended Northwestern University where he received a degree in journalism.

Stephen Hunter is known for writing in the Thriller genre.

Stephen Hunter is the author of the Swaggerverse series which currently consists of 23 novels. The Swaggerverse series started in 1982 with the novel The Second Saladin. The most recently released novel in the Swaggerverse series was The Gun Man Jackson Swagger which was released in 2025. There are no upcoming novels for the Swaggerverse series.

Stephen Hunter has also written the Bob Lee Swagger series which has 12 books including Point of Impact and Black Light.

Stephen Hunter has made the Kono Mystery ga Sugoi list in Japan a few times. The first time was for The Day Before Midnight in 1989, which made #2 on the list. In 1998, Dirty White Boys was listed at #8. Black Light made 1999's list at #3. Point of Impact topped the list at #1 in 2000.

Stephen Hunter began his career as a journalist. He has written for The Pentagon News, The Balitmore Sun and The Washington Post. He worked as a film critic for both the Sun and Post, and in 1998, was the winner of the Distinguished Writing Award, given by the American Society of Newspaper Editors.

Stephen's mother was an author. Her name was Virginia Ricker Hunter, and she wrote books for children.

Hunter had said in an interview with Outdoor Life that old-time gun magazines were his inspiration as a writer, growing up. Storytellers such as Bill Jordan and Charles Askin really helped inspire him.

Stephen Hunter: Awards & Accolades

Stephen Hunter won the Pulitzer Prize, Criticism, in 2003.

Stephen Hunter books have been nominated for multiple awards, Hot Springs was nominated for the Hammett Prize, Best Crime Novel, in 2000. Pale Horse Coming was nominated for the Audie Award, Best Male Narrator, in 2003. Night of Thunder was nominated for the Barry Award, Best Thriller, in 2009.

Stephen Hunter: Lists & Other Mentions

  • Point of Impact was the Jack Carr Book Club June 2025 Pick.

Stephen Hunter: TV/Movies Based on Books

In 2016, there was a TV show made based on Point of Impact. It was called Shooter, the same name as the 2007 movie based on the same book. It starred Ryan Phillippe as Bob Lee Swagger. It aired on the USA network and lasted three seasons. Season 3 had strong influences from the novel Time to Hunt.

The book Point of Impact was made into a movie in 2007. It was titled Shooter and it starred Mark Wahlberg as Bob Lee Swagger and Michael Peña as Nick Memphis. On Goodreads, Hunter said that he was happy with Marks portrayal although missed the fact that Bob wasn't a 'nam vet, and his complex family past weren't part of the story.

Related Authors

Fans of Stephen Hunter also enjoy these authors:

  1. Jack Higgins, author of the Liam Devlin Series.
  2. Nelson DeMille, author of the John Corey Series.
  3. Barry Eisler, author of the John Rain Series.
  4. Eric Van Lustbader, author of the Jason Bourne Series.
  5. Andrew Gross, author of the Ty Hauck Series.
  6. David Archer, author of the Noah Wolf Series.
  7. Scott Mariani, author of the Ben Hope Series.
  8. Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
  9. Nick Petrie, author of the Peter Ash Series.
  10. Vince Flynn, author of the Mitch Rapp Series.

Stephen Hunter: F.A.Q

When was Stephen Hunter Born? How old is Stephen Hunter?

Stephen Hunter was born on March 25th, 1946. Stephen Hunter is currently 80 years old.

Where was Stephen Hunter Born?

Stephen Hunter was born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA and is American.

What awards has Stephen Hunter won?

Stephen Hunter has won the following awards: Criticism at the Pulitzer Prize (2003).

What was the first book Stephen Hunter wrote?

The first book written by Stephen Hunter was The Master Sniper, published in 1980.

What was the most recent book Stephen Hunter wrote?

His most recently released work was The Gun Man Jackson Swagger on October 14th, 2025.

What is the most popular book by Stephen Hunter?

Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Stephen Hunter book is Point of Impact. Here are his most popular books:
  1. Point of Impact (8.53)
  2. Time to Hunt (8.65)
  3. Black Light (8.89)
  4. I, Sniper (6.48)
  5. The 47th Samurai (6.05)

What genres does Stephen Hunter Write?

Stephen Hunter primarily writes in the Thriller genre. His work includes sub-genres such as Crime Thriller, Action Thriller, and Conspiracy Thriller.

Are there upcoming new books by Stephen Hunter?

Stephen Hunter does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.

Click and we will notify you via e-mail when Stephen Hunter next book gets announced.

How many books has Stephen Hunter written?

Stephen Hunter has written 36 books across 11 series.
  • 12 books in the Bob Lee Swagger Series
  • 4 books in the Earl Swagger Series
  • 1 Swagger Collections
  • 2 books in the Ray Cruz Series
  • 9 Standalone Novels
  • 2 Short Stories/Novellas
  • 3 Non-Fiction Books
  • 23 books in the Swaggerverse Series
  • 1 book in the Bibliomysteries Series
  • 1 book in the Mysterious Profiles Series

Is the novel Dirty White Boys part of the Bob Lee Swagger original trilogy?

No it is not, however it does take place in the same universe as it. It's advised that you read Dirty White Boys prior to Black Light as it is essentially a prequel to it.

What is the chronological order of Stephen Hunter novels?

You would read the Earl Swagger series first chronologically, meaning The Bullet Garden first. Then you would read the Bob Lee Swagger series, also reading the standalone novel Dirty White Boys prior to Black Light.
Also after Dead Zero, be sure to read Soft Target prior to The Third Bullet just for completeness. We have a complete listing of the chronological order of the "Swaggerverse" above.

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