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Road To Key West Books in Order

15 Books
2010 – 2024 Published
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How to Read the Road to Key West Series

If you are looking for a literary escape filled with eccentric characters, Caribbean treasure hunts, and classic 1970s nostalgia, Michael Reisig's Road to Key West series is your perfect ticket. The adventures of Kansas Stamps and Will Bell—two free-spirited commercial divers who repeatedly find themselves in over their heads—are best enjoyed in order. While each book offers a self-contained story, the relationships, recurring jokes, and general camaraderie build beautifully from one installment to the next.

We highly recommend starting with the very first book, The Road to Key West, to meet the characters and experience their initial plunge into the world of smuggling, ancient artifacts, and tropical chaos.

Road to Key West Publication Order

To follow the evolution of Kansas and Will's adventures exactly as Michael Reisig wrote them, follow the publication order. This sequence includes the core novels as well as a special behind-the-scenes companion book:

  1. The Road to Key West (2010/2011) - Kansas and Will navigate treasure, pirates, and 'pyramid power' in the Florida Keys.
  2. Back On The Road To Key West (2013) - The duo gets caught up in a Jamaican soothsayer's wild predictions.
  3. Along The Road To Key West (2013) - Originally published as a standalone novel titled The Truthmaker, then rewritten and integrated into the series.
  4. Somewhere On The Road To Key West (2014) - A tropical chase involving hidden gold and high stakes.
  5. Down The Road To Key West (2016) - The boys search for Pancho Villa's lost gold in Mexico and Central America.
  6. Beyond The Road To Key West (2016) - More Caribbean diving escapades and run-ins with colorful local characters.
  7. A Far Road To Key West (2017) - Kansas and Will sail deeper into dangerous tropical waters.
  8. The Wild Road To Key West (2017) - High-stakes action meets humorous island hijinks.
  9. The True Tales Of The Road To Key West (2018) - A non-fiction companion guide and memoir detailing the real-life inspirations behind the series.
  10. A Pirate's Road to Key West (2018) - Historical legends collide with Kansas and Will's modern exploits.
  11. The Lost Road To Key West (2019) - The group seeks out lost treasures under the sea.
  12. The Incredible Key West - Caribbean Race (2020) - A chaotic race across the Caribbean reefs and islands.
  13. Gods, Guns, and Money On The Road To Key West (2021) - Action-packed adventure with heavy humor and high stakes.
  14. Gamblers Fools And Fate On The Road To Key West (2021) - Kansas and Will test their luck against dangerous syndicates.
  15. The Road To Roatan (2024) - A deep dive into the waters of Honduras, chasing new secrets.
  16. The Road To Mexico (2024) - The 16th installment, where wartime secrets and Confederate wealth spark a brand new hunt.

Chronological Order and Key Variations

The chronological timeline of the series aligns perfectly with the publication order, with one primary exception: The True Tales Of The Road To Key West (2018). Rather than a sequential adventure, this companion piece contains photos, personal stories, and author reflections. Readers can dive into it at any point after reading the first few books to understand the real-life basis of the "Hole In The Coral Wall Gang."

Another minor caveat is the third book, Along The Road To Key West. Michael Reisig originally wrote it as a standalone thriller titled The Truthmaker in 2012. Because it fit the general Caribbean tone, Reisig later revised the story, brought Kansas Stamps and Will Bell into the narrative, and republished it to fit snugly as the third installment of the series. The original The Truthmaker is now out of print and effectively replaced by this series edition.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive in, it helps to understand the unique flavor of these books. Michael Reisig spent years living in the Florida Keys as a commercial diver, pilot, and treasure hunter. This background lends an authentic, gritty, and incredibly detailed texture to the diving scenes, flight mechanics, and local descriptions. The books read like a hybrid of Indiana Jones-style exploration and Jimmy Buffett's laid-back tropical escapism, filled with 1970s counter-culture, mystical Rastafarians, and rough-and-tumble sailors. While the humor can be ribald and nostalgic, the underlying themes of loyalty, trust, and simple island life remain the core of every novel.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Road to Key West series?

You should start with the first novel, The Road to Key West (2010/2011). It introduces the main protagonists, Kansas Stamps and Will Bell, and establishes their dynamic as commercial divers and accidental adventurers.

QDo I need to read the Road to Key West books in order?

While each book features a standalone adventure that concludes by the final chapter, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. This allows you to watch the characters grow and follow the running jokes and references.

QWhat is the connection between The Truthmaker and Along the Road to Key West?

Along the Road to Key West was originally published as a standalone novel called The Truthmaker. Author Michael Reisig later rewrote the story to incorporate Kansas and Will, integrating it as the third book in the series.

QIs The True Tales of the Road to Key West a novel?

No. The True Tales of the Road to Key West (2018) is a non-fiction companion guide and memoir containing photos, personal stories, and behind-the-scenes insights into the real Florida Keys adventures that inspired the novels.

QHow many books are in the Road to Key West series?

As of late 2024, the series includes 16 books: 15 primary novels (ending with The Road to Mexico) and one non-fiction companion volume (The True Tales of the Road to Key West).

QWhat is the tone of the Road to Key West books?

The books blend fast-paced Caribbean action, treasure hunting, and comedy. They are often described as a mix of Indiana Jones adventures and Jimmy Buffett island vibes, set in the colorful 1970s.