Brad Thor and Ward Larsen team up for thriller "Cold Zero"

The authors take a "pantser" approach to their first co-written novel, which is being adapted for Netflix.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Bestselling thriller writer Brad Thor has teamed up with fellow author Ward Larsen to co-write the new novel "Cold Zero." The book follows a CIA operative and former fighter pilot trapped in a crashed plane over the North Pole with a valuable piece of technology that everyone wants to get their hands on. Thor, known for his long-running "Scot Harvath" series, says he was hesitant to co-write at first but found the process rewarding. "Cold Zero" has already been snatched up for a Netflix film adaptation.

Why it matters

Thor is one of the most successful political thriller writers today, with over two dozen books published. His decision to co-write a standalone novel with Larsen marks a departure from his usual solo work and shows his willingness to try new approaches to keep his writing fresh for loyal readers. The Netflix adaptation also indicates the continued strong demand for high-stakes, globe-trotting thrillers on screen.

The details

Thor and Larsen, who are both "pantsers" rather than meticulous plotters, spent hours on the phone developing the characters and story for "Cold Zero" before trading off writing chapters and editing each other's work. The novel follows a CIA operative and former fighter pilot who finds himself trapped in a crashed plane over the North Pole with a revolutionary piece of technology that everyone from Washington to Moscow to Beijing wants to get. Despite initial hesitations about co-writing, the approach paid off, with "Cold Zero" earning Thor his first starred review from Publishers Weekly.

  • "Cold Zero" was published in February 2026.
  • The Netflix film adaptation is in development.

The players

Brad Thor

A bestselling author known for his long-running "Scot Harvath" series of political thrillers. "Cold Zero" marks his first co-written novel.

Ward Larsen

A novelist known for his own thrillers like "The Perfect Assassin" and "Passenger 19," Larsen co-wrote "Cold Zero" with Brad Thor.

Nic Pizzolatto

The creator of "True Detective," Pizzolatto is adapting the screenplay for the Netflix film adaptation of "Cold Zero."

Peter Berg

The director of "Patriots Day," Berg is producing the Netflix adaptation of "Cold Zero."

Rebecca Ferguson

Thor hopes Ferguson will play the female lead in the "Cold Zero" film adaptation.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes I roll my own eyes when I say I'm an 'artist.' It is, literature is an art, writing books is an art, but I'm a small business person and the readers are my customers.”

— Brad Thor, Author (USA TODAY)

“You can go out and make another 25, 30 bucks if you're buying a hardcover to buy more books. But what you'll never get back is the time that you trust me with where you sit down with a book.”

— Brad Thor, Author (USA TODAY)

“I'm going to keep my Viking Scandinavian streak going.”

— Brad Thor (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The Netflix film adaptation of "Cold Zero" is in development, with Nic Pizzolatto writing the screenplay and Peter Berg producing.

The takeaway

Brad Thor's decision to co-write a standalone thriller with Ward Larsen shows his willingness to experiment and keep his writing fresh for loyal readers. The success of "Cold Zero" and its upcoming Netflix adaptation also underscores the continued strong demand for high-stakes, globe-trotting political thrillers in both books and on screen.