Cassie Dewell
thriller
Series · thriller
John Puller
The John Puller series by David Baldacci has 5 known books (5 published) and is best read in publication order, starting with Zero Day (2011). The latest book with a fully recorded publication date is Daylight.
- Books
- 5 known books (5 novels)
- Published
- 5
- First published
- 2011
- Status
- ongoing
- Shelved under
- Thriller
- Last checked
Start here: Zero Day (2011) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Zero Day
Zero Day opens the John Puller series in November 2011, sending the Army's top investigator into a case on a military installation that unravels into conspiracy -- while his father, a legendary retired three-star general sliding into dementia, and his brother's controversial treason conviction give the series its personal undertow. It runs 449 pages.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Zero Day - Book 2:
The Forgotten
The Forgotten , published in November 2012 at 464 pages, is the second John Puller novel, continuing Baldacci's grounded, procedural approach to military-justice investigation.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Forgotten - Book 3:
The Escape
The Escape , at 492 pages the longest book in the series, arrived in November 2014, pulling Puller's family storyline -- his brother's imprisonment for treason -- directly into the case for the first time.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Escape - Book 4:
No Man's Land
No Man's Land , published in November 2016 at 464 pages, is the fourth John Puller novel, continuing the family-driven undertow beneath Baldacci's case-of-the-book military procedurals.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of No Man's Land - Book 5:
Daylight
Daylight , published in July 2020, is the fifth John Puller novel and a direct crossover with Baldacci's Atlee Pine series -- functioning as both a Puller book and the third Atlee Pine novel. It runs 448 pages.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Daylight
About the John Puller series
John Puller is a Combat Infantry Badge-holding U.S. Army CID (Criminal Investigation Command) special agent — the Army's own top investigator, sent to cases too sensitive or too dangerous for anyone else. David Baldacci builds each novel around a case that starts as a single violent crime on or near a military installation and unravels into conspiracies touching defense contractors, foreign intelligence services, or corruption inside the Army itself, all filtered through Puller's methodical, procedural approach to investigation. Puller's family life is part of the hook too: his father is a legendary retired three-star general sliding into dementia, and his own brother was controversially convicted of treason years earlier, giving the series a personal, family-driven undertow beneath the case-of-the-book plotting.
Baldacci, one of the best-selling thriller writers alive, keeps the series tightly plotted and grounded in real military-justice procedure. It crossed over directly with his Atlee Pine series in Daylight (2020), which functions as both a John Puller novel and the third Atlee Pine book. It's a strong pick for readers who want a procedural, investigation-driven military thriller rather than pure black-ops action.
Frequently asked questions
How many John Puller books are there?
There are 5 John Puller novels, from Zero Day (2011) to the crossover novel Daylight (2020).
What order should I read the John Puller books in?
Publication order, starting with Zero Day (2011). Each case is self-contained, but Puller's family storyline develops across the series.
Is Daylight a John Puller book or an Atlee Pine book?
Both — it's a direct crossover featuring both protagonists, and is counted as book 5 in the Puller series and book 3 in the Atlee Pine series.
Is the John Puller series finished?
No new solo Puller novel has been announced since Daylight (2020), though David Baldacci has not stated the series is over.
Is John Puller related to David Baldacci's other series?
Yes — beyond the direct Daylight crossover with Atlee Pine, Puller exists in the same broad Baldacci thriller universe as his other series.
If you like the John Puller series
Reading order last verified .