When Mark Harmon concluded his iconic role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, he had no idea he’d return to narrate the prequel series NCIS: Origins, which delves into the backstory of Gibbs and Mike Franks. However, what he did know was that his connection to the real-life NCIS would continue—not on screen, but through the pages of a book series.
Harmon, alongside NCIS technical advisor and former NCIS agent Leon Carroll Jr., had already begun researching their first book, Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, a Japanese Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor. The book recounts the fascinating story of Douglas Wada, the first Japanese American NIS agent, and the covert operations surrounding Pearl Harbor.
“Initially, when [Harper Select] approached me about writing a book based on the show, I said, ‘No,’” Harmon shared in an interview with Parade. “But I was intrigued by the original idea that every episode of NCIS would be based on a real case. That concept was part of what drew me to the show in the first place.”
Over time, however, the series evolved into a “murder of the week” format to accommodate regular characters like the medical examiner, Ducky (David McCallum), and forensic expert Abby (Pauley Perrette). Harmon noted that this wasn’t entirely reflective of NCIS’s real work but acknowledged the storytelling demands of television.
When the opportunity arose to tell true NCIS stories, Harmon knew he couldn’t do it without Carroll. “Leon Carroll has been my go-to guy for 20 years as a technical advisor on the show. I spoke with him daily to ensure I was getting Gibbs right, whether it was about procedure, mindset, or even small details that mattered to the role.”
With Carroll’s expertise, the duo released Ghosts of Honolulu on November 14, 2023. Now, they’re back with a second book, Ghosts of Panama: A Strongman Out of Control, a Murdered Marine, and the Special Agents Caught in the Middle of an Invasion. The new installment explores the work of NIS Special Agent Rick Yell during the tense and volatile period of Panama in the late 1980s under General Manuel Noriega’s rule.
With these books, Harmon and Carroll aim to spotlight the authentic and often untold stories of NCIS agents, offering fans and readers a deeper understanding of the real-life work behind the badge.
