Nathan Burke International Espionage Series
Praise for the Nathan Burke Series
“ …pulse-pounding…a must-read….”
—Library Journal (Starred Review)
“The story was superbly written and far surpassed my expectations. I truly enjoyed reading the book and could not have wished for a better conclusion.”
—Readers’ Favorites 5-Star Review
“Jeffrey Higgins is a rising star author in our universe of thrillers…he turns the mysteries and dangers of our times into clock-ticking engrossing reading.”
—James Grady, creator of Condor and author of the American Sky trilogy
“Pulse pounding and relevant, Higgins delivers a thrilling ride you won’t want to miss.”
—Dale M. Nelson, retired U.S. Air Force Officer and author of The Gage Files
“Havana Syndrome… is one of the year’s best thrillers.”
—BestThrillers.com
“…as authentic as it gets! Jeffrey James Higgins pours his years of law enforcement experience into crafting characters that leap off the page.”
—Jack Stewart, retired Navy fighter pilot and bestselling author of the Battle Born series
“…a propulsive, white-knuckle ride into the shadowy world of espionage and global conspiracy…This one is not to be missed.”
—David McCloskey, former CIA analyst and author of The Seventh Floor
Published by Severn River Publishing
2025 Best Thrillers Book Awards Finalist
The Havana Syndrome
Book One
“…pulse-pounding…a must-read…” ―Library Journal (Starred Review)
When devotion and duty collide, FBI Agent Nathan Burke must uncover a global conspiracy to save his wife…and the nation.
FBI Agent Nathan Burke is in the middle of a high-stakes operation to dismantle a terrorist network when his world is turned upside down―his estranged wife, Reagan, falls victim to the mysterious and debilitating Havana Syndrome. Determined to reconcile with her and find the responsible party, he teams up with his former academy classmate Meili Chan and CIA liaison Bashir Gemayel to launch a rogue investigation, putting his own job at risk.
As more American spies and diplomats fall prey to this unexplained phenomenon, and terrorist attacks increase at home and abroad, Nathan unearths evidence of high-energy weapons and a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of national security.
But when the CIA dismisses his findings, and the balance between his official and illicit missions teeters on the edge of collapse, Nathan must choose between his duty to his country and his devotion to Reagan. With his allies falling one by one to mysterious attacks and with friend and foe seemingly indistinguishable, Nathan must stop the spread of the Havana Syndrome and uncover the truth…or risk becoming its next victim.
Bestselling author Jeffrey James Higgins takes readers from the buzzing streets of Washington, D.C., to the eerie silence of Tallinn, Estonia, where suspense meets the stark realities of espionage, assassination, and deception. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci and Michael Connelly.
Published by Severn River Publishing
The Khorasan Retribution
Book Two
When the lines between duty and revenge blur, FBI Special Agent Nathan Burke faces a race against time to stop a deadly plot.
In the midst of intercepting a massive shipment of Chinese fentanyl in Arlington, Virginia, FBI Special Agent Nathan Burke and his new partner, Bridget Quinn, find themselves in a fierce shootout outside a mosque known for its radical ties. The operation results in the seizure of one hundred kilos of opioids, but it’s only the beginning.
As Nathan investigates the fentanyl’s origins, the nation is rocked by a series of horrific terror attacks utilizing opioids. The death toll rises, and Nathan races the clock to identify the terrorists and stop the attacks. His investigation uncovers shocking truths that challenge everything he thought he knew.
But what Nathan doesn’t know is that a shadowy figure, leading the elite terror cell known as the Phantoms of Khorasan, has a dark agenda for America. And he is driven by a single, lethal objective―revenge.
Bestselling author Jeffrey James Higgins takes readers on a gripping journey from the intense streets of Washington, D.C., to the heart of a terrorist’s vendetta. In this pulse-pounding thriller, Nathan Burke faces his most dangerous adversary yet in a battle where the stakes couldn’t be higher. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci and Michael Connelly.
Published by Severn River Publishing
The China Gambit
Book Three now available
The nation is crumbling from within, and one agent is the last line of defense.
A sting operation in Tampa to capture the elusive Chinese operative known as “Leopard” ends in chaos, forcing FBI Agent Nathan Burke and his boss, Meili Chan, to pursue a volatile lead to Macau. There, in the maze of glittering casinos and dark corners of China’s southern coast, an enigmatic intelligence source delivers a chilling revelation: the Ministry of State Security’s Second Bureau has embedded itself in the very fabric of American society—compromising politics, law enforcement, and beyond.
The situation turns explosive when a presidential nominee is assassinated, plunging Washington into turmoil and setting the stage for an unprecedented political crisis. As the country teeters on the edge, Ming Zhao, the ruthless director of the Second Bureau, accelerates his campaign of disintegration warfare. His strategy is as bold as it is deadly—arming radicals with weaponized opioids and fueling chaos across the United States.
But Zhao’s ambitions come with a lethal cost. His operatives close in, targeting everyone Nathan cares about. With assassins lurking at every turn and trust becoming a scarce commodity, Nathan uncovers the terrifying scope of a conspiracy years in the making. As the clock ticks down, every step forward brings new risks—not just to Nathan and Meili, but to the nation itself.
In this explosive new installment of the Nathan Burke thrillers, bestselling author Jeffrey James Higgins delivers a relentless tale of danger, betrayal, and high-stakes action that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Fans of David Baldacci and Michael Connelly will not want to miss this pulse-pounding thriller.
Published by Severn River Publishing
The Uganda Protocol
Book Four coming March 31st
Terror strikes from inside America’s own institutions, turning one agent’s manhunt into a fight to save everything that matters.
FBI Special Agent Nathan Burke expected a routine prisoner transport. Instead, he finds an airplane full of corpses and his most wanted terrorism suspect gone without a trace. The investigation plunges him into an international manhunt for Imam Omar Yemeni, a man whose network runs deeper and deadlier than anyone imagined.
Meanwhile, Iranian immigrant Leila Kabiri works as a court interpreter, building a new life for her neurodivergent son Darius after fleeing her homeland. But when colleagues start disappearing and foreign operatives make contact, Leila discovers the American justice system itself has been compromised. Someone is watching her every move, and they want something only she can provide.
What Nathan doesn’t realize is that Yemeni’s escape was just the opening move in a much larger plan—one that targets the most vulnerable and threatens mass casualties. As Nathan races across continents tracking his fugitive, Leila finds herself trapped between protecting her family and doing what’s right. When their paths finally converge, both will discover that the most dangerous enemies are the ones hiding in plain sight.
Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, and Vince Flynn, this pulse-pounding international thriller delivers high-stakes action and unforgettable characters in a race against time where the cost of failure is measured in thousands of lives.