Mitch Rapp
thriller
Series · thriller
NUMA Files
The NUMA Files series by Clive Cussler has 22 known books (22 published) and is best read in publication order, starting with Serpent (1999). The latest book with a fully recorded publication date is Clive Cussler's Cold Fire. Clive Cussler wrote the series; it was continued by Graham Brown.
- Books
- 22 known books (22 novels)
- Published
- 22
- First published
- 1999
- Status
- ongoing
- Shelved under
- Thriller
- Last checked
Start here: Serpent (1999) — 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:
Serpent
Serpent is the opening novel of the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, published in June 1999 at 480 pages. It's the series' starting point, followed by Blue Gold in a series that runs to 22 books.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Serpent - Book 2:
Blue Gold
Blue Gold is the second novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, published in August 2000 at 410 pages. It follows Serpent and precedes Fire Ice in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Blue Gold - Book 3:
Fire Ice
Fire Ice is the third novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, published in June 2002 at 448 pages. It follows Blue Gold and precedes White Death in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fire Ice - Book 4:
White Death
White Death is the fourth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, published in June 2003 at 445 pages. It follows Fire Ice and precedes Lost City in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of White Death - Book 5:
Lost City
Lost City is the fifth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, published in July 2004 at 432 pages. It follows White Death and precedes Polar Shift in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Lost City - Book 6:
Polar Shift
Polar Shift is the sixth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, published in August 2005 at 433 pages. It follows Lost City and precedes The Navigator in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Polar Shift - Book 7:
The Navigator
The Navigator is the seventh novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, published in June 2007 at 437 pages. It follows Polar Shift and precedes Medusa in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Navigator - Book 8:
Medusa
Medusa is the eighth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, published in July 2009 at 518 pages. It follows The Navigator and precedes Devil's Gate in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Medusa - Book 9:
Devil's Gate
Devil's Gate is the ninth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in November 2011. It follows Medusa and precedes The Storm in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Devil's Gate - Book 10:
The Storm
The Storm is the tenth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in May 2012 at 420 pages. It follows Devil's Gate and precedes Zero Hour in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Storm - Book 11:
Zero Hour
Zero Hour is the eleventh novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in May 2013 at 416 pages. It follows The Storm and precedes Ghost Ship in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Zero Hour - Book 12:
Ghost Ship
Ghost Ship is the twelfth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in May 2014 at 448 pages. It follows Zero Hour and precedes The Pharaoh's Secret in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Ghost Ship - Book 13:
The Pharaoh's Secret
The Pharaoh's Secret is the thirteenth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in November 2015. It follows Ghost Ship and precedes Nighthawk in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Pharaoh's Secret - Book 14:
Nighthawk
Nighthawk is the fourteenth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in June 2017 at 480 pages. It follows The Pharaoh's Secret and precedes The Rising Sea in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Nighthawk - Book 15:
The Rising Sea
The Rising Sea is the fifteenth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in March 2018 at 480 pages. It follows Nighthawk and precedes Sea of Greed in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Rising Sea - Book 16:
Sea of Greed
Sea of Greed is the sixteenth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in November 2018 at 448 pages. It follows The Rising Sea and precedes Journey of the Pharaohs in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Sea of Greed - Book 17:
Journey of the Pharaohs
Journey of the Pharaohs is the seventeenth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in March 2020 at 432 pages. It follows Sea of Greed and precedes Fast Ice in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Journey of the Pharaohs - Book 18:
Fast Ice
Fast Ice is the eighteenth novel in the NUMA Files series, co-written by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown, published in March 2021 at 432 pages. It follows Journey of the Pharaohs and precedes Clive Cussler's Dark Vector in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fast Ice - Book 19:
Clive Cussler's Dark Vector
Clive Cussler's Dark Vector is the nineteenth novel in the NUMA Files series, written by Graham Brown, continuing the series, published in May 2022. It follows Fast Ice and precedes Clive Cussler's Condor's Fury in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Clive Cussler's Dark Vector - Book 20:
Clive Cussler's Condor's Fury
Clive Cussler's Condor's Fury is the twentieth novel in the NUMA Files series, written by Graham Brown, continuing the series, published in September 2023. It follows Clive Cussler's Dark Vector and precedes Clive Cussler's Desolation Code in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Clive Cussler's Condor's Fury - Book 21:
Clive Cussler's Desolation Code
Clive Cussler's Desolation Code is the 21st novel in the NUMA Files series, written by Graham Brown, continuing the series, published in November 2024 at 416 pages. It follows Clive Cussler's Condor's Fury and precedes Clive Cussler's Cold Fire in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Clive Cussler's Desolation Code - Book 22:
Clive Cussler's Cold Fire
Clive Cussler's Cold Fire is the 22nd and most recent novel in the NUMA Files series, written by Graham Brown, continuing the series, published in June 2026. It follows Clive Cussler's Desolation Code in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Clive Cussler's Cold Fire
About the NUMA Files series
The NUMA Files follows Kurt Austin, the Special Projects Director for the National Underwater and Marine Agency, and his partner Joe Zavala as they investigate environmental disasters, sunken relics, and eco-terrorist or state-sponsored plots with an oceanographic hook — toxic algae blooms, deep-sea mining, arctic resource wars, ancient shipwrecks and lost technologies. It's a sister series to Clive Cussler's flagship Dirk Pitt novels, sharing the NUMA setting and men's-adventure DNA but following a different lead duo and team of specialists (including tech expert Hiram Yaeger and, later, twins Dirk Pitt Jr. and Summer's own generation of NUMA staff). Cussler co-wrote the series first with mystery novelist Paul Kemprecos through Medusa (2009), then with Graham Brown from Devil's Gate (2011) onward.
Since Cussler's 2020 death, Graham Brown has continued the series solo, keeping to Cussler's format of globe-trotting action, real ocean science, and a lightly comic partnership at the center. It's a good pick for readers who enjoy Dirk Pitt but want a parallel cast, or who prefer Kurt Austin's slightly more environmentally-focused mission briefs.
Frequently asked questions
Who writes the NUMA Files series?
Clive Cussler wrote the series; it was continued by Graham Brown.
How many NUMA Files books are there?
There are 22 NUMA Files novels as of Clive Cussler's Cold Fire (2026).
What order should I read the NUMA Files books in?
Publication order, starting with Serpent (1999). Most mysteries are self-contained, but Kurt Austin's NUMA team develops across the series.
Is NUMA Files connected to the Dirk Pitt series?
Yes, both are set in the same Clive Cussler NUMA universe and share some characters and continuity, but NUMA Files follows a different lead, Kurt Austin, rather than Dirk Pitt.
Who writes NUMA Files now that Clive Cussler has died?
Graham Brown, who began co-writing the series with Devil's Gate (2011), has continued it solo since Cussler's death in 2020.
Is the NUMA Files series finished?
No, it's ongoing. Graham Brown has published a new entry most years since taking over, most recently Cold Fire (June 2026).
If you like the NUMA Files series
Reading order last verified .