Order of Nick Petrie Books

If you’ve ever picked up a Peter Ash novel, there’s a good chance you lost sleep over it. And behind every page-turning moment, every pulse-racing plot twist, and every gritty character arc is one man—Nick Petrie—an author whose life is just as layered and quietly compelling as the characters he creates.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nick Petrie grew up in a blue-collar environment surrounded by the sturdy stoicism of working-class America. This deeply rooted Midwest backdrop continues to echo in his novels, infusing them with a realism that’s hard to shake. Though he hasn’t made a loud show of his birth year in public circles, Petrie lives—and writes—like a man who's witnessed the quiet struggles and unsung victories of everyday heroes.

Unlike many thriller writers who entered fiction via crime journalism or law enforcement, Petrie’s journey was uniquely grounded in architecture and home remodeling. That’s right—before thrilling readers with high-stakes plots, he was literally building homes. This hands-on work gave him an eye for detail, a respect for craftsmanship, and a firm grasp on the fragile structures people create—both in the physical world and in their minds. That grounded, tactile sensibility spills over into every chapter he writes.

Petrie is a graduate of the University of Washington and also holds an MFA in fiction from the University of Michigan, where he won a Hopwood Award for short fiction. That’s no small feat—the Hopwood is a prestigious prize that has previously honored literary heavyweights like Arthur Miller and Marge Piercy. In short, Nick Petrie isn’t just a master of action—he’s a writer’s writer, one who balances literary excellence with edge-of-your-seat storytelling.

He didn’t burst onto the literary scene like a grenade—he crept in like a trained Marine on a reconnaissance mission, exploding onto bestseller lists only when he was ready. His debut novel, “The Drifter” (2016), introduced readers to Peter Ash, a combat veteran haunted by PTSD and hungry for justice. That book alone won the 2016 Hammett Prize and was nominated for an Edgar Award, earning Petrie instant recognition as a fresh, formidable voice in the thriller genre.

And here’s the kicker—while Peter Ash grapples with the lingering shadows of war, so does his creator. Petrie didn’t serve in the military, but he’s spent countless hours with veterans, earning their trust, learning their stories, and infusing his books with authenticity and deep respect. He writes veterans not as stereotypes, but as humans—flawed, brave, complex, and worthy of our attention.

Despite all his success, Nick Petrie has remained refreshingly under-the-radar, almost enigmatic. He doesn’t flood social media or hog the spotlight. Instead, he lets his books do the talking—books that are loaded with adrenaline, anchored in morality, and often touch on the emotional scars that rarely get page-time in mainstream thrillers.

Now based in Milwaukee, Petrie continues to write with the same quiet ferocity that made his debut such a hit. He’s married, has kids, and when he’s not plotting heart-stopping scenes, he’s probably hiking or fixing something with his hands—because that’s just who he is.

What makes Nick Petrie’s story epic?
It’s the irony of it all. A builder of homes becomes a builder of worlds. A quiet Midwestern craftsman becomes a voice for war-torn psyches and broken systems. And through it all, he remains grounded, meticulous, and utterly unafraid to explore the broken cracks of the human condition.

So, if you haven’t met Peter Ash yet, brace yourself—because Nick Petrie doesn’t just write thrillers. He builds them. Brick by emotional brick, with suspense that explodes and characters that crawl under your skin and stay there.

And here's the cliffhanger: What scars is Peter Ash carrying in the next installment?
Only Petrie knows—and he’s not the type to spoil the surprise. He’ll just keep writing until you’re breathless, one chapter at a time.