His most famous works are:
* The Day of the Jackal (1971) - a political thriller about an assassination attempt on Charles de Gaulle.
* The Odessa File (1972) - a historical thriller about a Nazi war criminal hiding in South America.
* The Dogs of War (1974) - a thriller about a mercenary operation in a fictional African country.
* The Shepherd (1975) - a thriller about an ex-SAS soldier who becomes involved in a plot to assassinate the leader of a terrorist organization.
* The Fourth Protocol (1984) - a thriller about a Soviet plot to sabotage a US nuclear facility.
* The Negotiator (1990) - a thriller about a hostage situation in a London building.
Waterman also wrote several other books under the name Frederick Forsyth, including:
* The Devil's Alternative (1979) - a thriller about a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union.
* The Fist of God (1982) - a thriller about a nuclear attack on the United Kingdom.
* The Killing of the King (1991) - a thriller about a plot to assassinate a British monarch.
* Icon (1997) - a thriller about a Russian plot to destroy the United States.
* The Cobra (2002) - a thriller about a terrorist plot to attack London.
He also wrote a few books under the name James Forsyth, including:
* The Secret File (1977) - a thriller about a missing file containing classified information.
* The Outsider (1981) - a thriller about a former British intelligence officer who is framed for murder.
Waterman's books are known for their fast-paced plots, realistic settings, and suspenseful action sequences. He is considered one of the most successful thriller writers of all time.