Discover our list of new books by Nelson DeMille that exemplifies his mastery of suspense.

A master of action-adventure and suspense novels, Nelson DeMille, has written 23 books, with 16 of them hitting the bestseller lists. Seven of his books have been on the New York Times bestseller list in the number one spot. DeMille has let his readers know that he writes all of his books in longhand, in pencil on a legal pad, an old tradition that is dying out as time goes on.

Nelson DeMille was born in New York City and attended university for only three years before entering Officer Candidate School in the Army. He was subsequently commissioned as an Army Lieutenant and served in Vietnam. Many of his books reflect DeMille’s previous experiences in the army. In addition, Nelson DeMille sometimes writes with his son, Alex DeMille.

The level of realism and detail that DeMille includes in his works is one thing that makes him a standout author in his niche. These new books by Nelson DeMille are fine examples of how captivating his narratives are. If you’re a fan of Nelson DeMille, you’ll also enjoy the works of authors like Fredrick Forsyth.

Best New Books by Nelson DeMille Ranked

1. The Maze

In The Maze, favorite recurring Nelson DeMille character and NYPD Homicide Detective, John Corey returns to the scene of his previous adventures on Long Island. Even though Corey’s recovering from some of his previous injuries, he’s tempted by a new job offer from his former lover, Detective Beth Penrose. Uncontrollably drawn into the mystery of some unsolved murders, Corey goes on the quest to track down a sick serial killer whose favorite prey is sex workers. As he deeper into it, Corey uncovers a dark secret that intimates something far more sinister at work.

If you enjoyed this round-up, you might also like our list of mystery authors in our guide to the best authors like Tony Hillerman. Or you can use the search bar at the top right of the page to search for the best authors.

“You can’t drink all day unless you start in the morning.”

Nelson DeMille, The Maze

2. Plum Island

Once again, Detective John Corey runs the show in Plum Island. He recuperates in Southold, a quiet Long Island town, after being injured yet again while working. Everything seems idyllic until a young couple that Corey knows is found murdered. Angered and upset, Corey dives head-first into the investigation, determined to uncover the truth.

This is the book where Corey makes the acquaintance of Detective Beth Penrose and Emma Whitestone, who play integral roles in future Nelson DeMille books. As Corey starts to figure out what’s going on behind the murders of the young couple, he also discovers something about himself that he didn’t realize before.

“It’s getting harder to tell the difference between art and vandalism.”

Nelson DeMille, Plum Island

3. The Lion’s Game

In DeMille’s popular thriller, The Lion’s Game, Detective John Corey takes on his most challenging mission to date. Tasked with apprehending “The Lion,” a relentless young Arab terrorist seeking vengeance against American pilots who devastated Libya and murdered his family, Corey finds himself facing an elusive and cunning adversary. Packed with non-stop suspense and unexpected plot twists, the novel becomes a heart-pounding race against time. With each terrifying turn, Corey must outwit “The Lion” to prevent further devastation in one of Nelson DeMille’s most suspenseful and pulse-pounding thrillers.

“Job happiness is directly proportional to the distance you are from the home office.”

Nelson DeMille, The Lion’s Game

4. The Lion

The Lion is the highly anticipated sequel to The Lion’s Game. Bestselling author Nelson DeMille brings back former NYPD Homicide detective and Anti-Terrorist Task Force agent John Corey, whom readers can’t get enough of. In the John Corey book, Asad Khalil, the infamous Libyan terrorist known as “The Lion,” resurfaces after years of silence and unleashes a reign of terror on American soil.

With FBI agent Kate Mayfield as his partner, Corey embarks on a relentless pursuit, determined to track down and eliminate Khalil. “The Lion” becomes a lethal force once again, setting the stage for an intense and gripping battle between Corey’s thirst for revenge and Khalil’s mission of vengeance.

“Also off the top of my head, I’m John Corey and I’m an agent with the Federal Anti-Terrorist Task Force.”

Nelson DeMille, The Lion

5. The Deserter

In the military thriller, The Deserter, Nelson DeMille introduces us to the enigmatic Captain Kyle Mercer, a Delta Force operative who vanishes from his post in Afghanistan under suspicious circumstances. This is one of many examples where DeMille leverages his military background. As video surfaces confirming Mercer’s deliberate disappearance, he resurfaces in Caracas, Venezuela, catching the attention of his former Army comrade, Scott Brodie.

Tasked by military authorities, Brodie and his new partner, Maggie Taylor, must navigate the complexities of bringing Mercer back to the United States alive. However, Brodie’s doubts about Taylor’s loyalties to the CIA and their undeniable chemistry further complicate an already dangerous mission.

“Without women, there would be perpetual war and chaos. With them, there was only chaos.”

Nelson DeMille, The Deserter

6. The Cuban Affair

In The Cuban Affair, decorated veteran Daniel “Mac” MacCormick, who leads a precarious life chartering his indebted boat in Key West, gets entangled with Carlos, a lawyer with anti-Castro leanings, Sara, a captivating Cuban-American woman, and Eduardo, an enigmatic Cuban exile. Lured by a two million dollar offer, Mac agrees to navigate a complex expedition to Cuba to recover sixty million dollars hidden by Sara’s grandfather during Castro’s revolution. Amid the Cuban Thaw, Mac faces a dangerous gamble that could make him rich or cost him everything.

“Well, as they say, you should never travel faster than your guardian angel can fly.”

Nelson DeMille, The Cuban Affair

7. Word of Honor

In Word of Honor, Ben Tyson, a respected corporate executive, and family man, harbors a dark secret from his past as a lieutenant in Vietnam, where his men committed a horrific atrocity. Tyson’s reputation, career, and honor are at stake with the press, army justice, and his past resurfacing. Haunted by the silence they swore, only one woman holds the key to the truth, possessing the power to either condemn him or set him free from his guilt-ridden past.

“He liked Robert Frost’s definition of home: the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.”

Nelson DeMille, Word of Honor

8. Radiant Angel

John Corey, once an Anti-Terrorist Task Force agent, now monitors Russian diplomats for the Diplomatic Surveillance Group in New York in the book Radiant Angel. However, he uncovers a hidden threat of a resurgent Russia that the US government underestimates. When Russian intelligence colonel Vasily Petrov vanishes from an oligarch’s party, Corey tracks him down. Facing possible nuclear peril, Corey must outmaneuver Petrov’s plans before a catastrophic attack devastates America or risk being outsmarted and outrun by his enemies.

“Victory is measured not by the number killed, but by the number frightened.”

Nelson DeMille, Radiant Angel

9. The General’s Daughter

In The General’s Daughter, when a highly respected military woman is found raped and murdered amid scandalous evidence, the assigned chief investigator is uneasy about discovering his former lover as his partner on the case. Their strained past complicates the investigation revealing that the victim, dubbed the “golden girl,” was entangled with influential individuals who wanted her dead. As duty prevails over personal discomfort, the duo delves into a web of power, deception, and lethal intentions.

“Ultimately, even government institutions have to justify their existence, and the Army was doing a good job of finding a new role for itself in knocking around pissant countries who get out of line.”

Nelson DeMille, The General’s Daughter

10. The Gold Coast

In The Gold Coast, Wall Street lawyer John Sutter’s aristocratic world collides with Mafia don Frank Bellarosa’s brutal reign. As Bellarosa forcefully stakes his claim, he ensnares Sutter and his stunning wife, Susan, into his perilous sphere. Told from Sutter’s biting and frequently humorous perspective, The Gold Coast is a riveting tale punctuated with sexual tension and suspense, demonstrating the destructive clash of power, wealth, and societal norms.

“But here it is, some sixty years after the Great Crash, and maybe it’s time to examine some of the wreckage.”

Nelson DeMille, The Gold Coast

11. Mayday

In Mayday, following a missile strike on a jumbo passenger jet high above the Pacific Ocean, three survivors face an unthinkable challenge: land the crippled plane. As they grapple with the consequences of the attack, the terrifying realities of their dire situation unfold. Mayday, penned by renowned storyteller Nelson DeMille and experienced pilot Thomas Block, presents a shockingly realistic, high-stakes thriller filled with suspense and unyielding tension, depicting an air disaster with chilling authenticity.

“McVary saw the object clearly now in the binoculars. “Oh, Christ!” His voice was a mixture of surprise and fear.”

Nelson DeMille, Mayday

12. The Panther

In DeMille’s The Panther, John Corey must fight for survival again. In the volatile landscape of Sana’a, Yemen, Anti-Terrorist Task Force agent John Corey and his wife, FBI agent Kate Mayfield, are assigned to track down The Panther, a high-ranking Al Qaeda operative linked to the USS Cole bombing. As they dive into this deadly game with concealed rules and obscured players, they soon realize their mission is not as straightforward as it seems. In a rare turn of events, the hunters transform into the hunted.

“The sheik and the tour guide from Sana’a had agreed on the one hundred dollars, but Wasim had decided there would be no next time.”

Nelson DeMille, The Panther

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