Escape Artist/Zig & Nola Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Escape Artist/Zig & Nola books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

About the Escape Artist/Zig & Nola Series

If you’re a fan of fast-paced thrillers packed with secrets, danger, and unforgettable characters, the Escape Artist series by Brad Meltzer is a must-read. This gripping series introduces readers to one of the most fascinating and unpredictable heroines in modern fiction—Nola Brown. She’s not your typical main character. She’s mysterious, brave, and deeply haunted by her past. And above all, Nola is a survivor.

Nola Brown is the U.S. Army’s official artist-in-residence. That means she paints the stories of soldiers and captures moments that photos can’t. But she’s also a trained soldier herself, which makes her even more unique—and dangerous. When Nola sees something she was never supposed to witness, her life takes a dark turn. She becomes a target. Soon, the government declares her dead after a plane crash in Alaska. Her commanding officer confirms it. The case is closed. Or so it seems.

But then enters Jim “Zig” Zigarowski, a man with a very different job. Zig works at Dover Air Force Base, where he prepares fallen soldiers for burial. It’s an emotional job, and Zig takes it seriously. When he’s assigned to work on Nola’s supposed body, he discovers something that shocks him to the core—Nola is still alive. Zig isn’t just curious; he has a personal reason to care. Nola once saved his daughter’s life, and he’s never forgotten it.

As Zig searches for Nola, he’s pulled into a web of lies, conspiracies, and long-buried truths. Their journey uncovers secrets that go back centuries, all the way to Harry Houdini—the world’s greatest escape artist. As they dig deeper, they learn that someone powerful is hiding something big, and they’re willing to kill to protect it. Nola and Zig become unlikely partners in a deadly game where every clue leads to more danger.

With heart-pounding action and emotional depth, the Escape Artist series isn’t just a thriller—it’s a story about trust, survival, and facing your past. Brad Meltzer has crafted a world full of suspense and unforgettable twists. If you’re looking for a thriller series that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go, Zig & Nola are waiting for you.