What is the correct reading order for the Scott Fenney series?

The recommended order is the publication order: The Color of Law (2005), Accused (2010), The Absence of Guilt (2016), and Tribes (2020).

Do I need to read the Scott Fenney books in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended. The overarching storyline tracks Scott's career transitions and the growth of his daughter, Boo, which will be spoiled if read out of order.

Is there a crossover between Scott Fenney and other Mark Gimenez books?

While there is no direct crossover novel, Gimenez's John Bookman series exists in the same universe, with a subtle reference to Professor Bookman appearing in The Absence of Guilt.

What is Mark Gimenez's background, and does it influence the books?

Mark Gimenez is a former partner at a major Dallas law firm. His insider knowledge of the Texas legal system provides the realism and detail found in the courtroom scenes.

Are there any Scott Fenney novellas or short stories?

No. The series consists entirely of the four primary, full-length novels.

Scott Fenney Books in Order

The Recommended Scott Fenney Reading Order

If you want to experience A. Scott Fenney's transformation from a materialistic, Ferrari-driving corporate attorney into a champion of the marginalized, there is only one way to read this series: in publication order. Because the books follow Scott's chronological career path and the personal evolution of both him and his daughter, Boo, reading them out of sequence will spoil the significant life changes and moral trials he undergoes.

Here is the recommended reading path for the Scott Fenney series:

The Color of Law (2005)
Accused (2010)
The Absence of Guilt (2016)
Tribes (2020)

Detailed Breakdown of the Scott Fenney Books

1. The Color of Law (2005)

This is the book that started it all, establishing Mark Gimenez as a major voice in modern legal thrillers. A. Scott Fenney is a star partner at a prestigious Dallas firm, earning millions, driving a red Ferrari, and living in an opulent home. But his comfortable world is shattered when a federal judge appoints him to defend Shawanda Jones, a heroin-addicted prostitute accused of murdering the son of a powerful United States Senator. Forced to choose between maintaining his high-flying lifestyle and fighting for a client everyone has discarded, Scott embarks on a journey that changes his life forever.

2. Accused (2010)

Years after the events of the first novel, Scott has left behind his lucrative corporate partnership. He is now struggling to make ends meet in a small, low-rent office, but his integrity is intact. His life is thrown into chaos once again when he receives a call from his ex-wife, Rebecca. She has been arrested for the murder of Trey Rawlins, the celebrity golfer she left Scott for. Despite the painful history and overwhelming evidence against her, Scott takes on the defense, navigating a media circus and personal betrayal to uncover the truth.

3. The Absence of Guilt (2016)

Scott's career takes a massive leap forward as he is appointed as a U.S. District Judge. However, the prestige of the federal bench brings an even heavier moral burden. When the FBI prevents a massive terrorist plot aimed at the Super Bowl in Dallas, the government indicts dozens of conspirators, including a controversial Islamic cleric named Omar al Mustafa. When the case lands in Scott's courtroom, he realizes that the prosecution's evidence is dangerously thin. As pressure mounts from the public and the presidency, Scott must choose between upholding the Constitution by releasing an innocent man or keeping him locked up to appease a fearful nation.

4. Tribes (2020)

In the fourth installment, Scott is forced to make the ultimate professional sacrifice. When a gang raid goes wrong and a white FBI agent kills an unarmed Black teenager, an ambitious local District Attorney seeks to indict the agent for manslaughter to boost his own political career. Believing the agent is being scapegoated, Scott realizes that the only way he can represent her is by resigning from his lifetime appointment as a federal judge. Returning to the courtroom floor, Scott must confront deep-seated cultural and political divides in a case that threatens to tear the city apart.

Chronological vs. Publication Order: What to Expect

For the Scott Fenney series, the publication order and the chronological order are identical. Gimenez wrote these books over a span of fifteen years, and the timeline in the novels matches this real-world gap. You will see Scott age, adjust to a changing legal landscape in Texas, and raise his daughter, Boo, who matures from a young child in the first book to a young adult in the later entries. Attempting to read these books out of order is not recommended, as the emotional weight of Scott's sacrifices in subsequent books depends heavily on knowing what he lost—and found—in the previous novels.

The Shared Dallas Universe and Companion Novels

While the Scott Fenney series is a self-contained story, Mark Gimenez has built a cohesive universe set in the Dallas-Fort Worth legal scene. Readers who finish the Fenney books will find familiar themes, settings, and even subtle nods to other works in Gimenez's bibliography.

The John Bookman Series (Con Law)

If you enjoy Scott Fenney, you should immediately check out Gimenez's series starring John "Book" Bookman. Bookman is a constitutional law professor at the University of Texas School of Law who rides a Harley-Davidson and takes on cases that challenge structural corruption. In The Absence of Guilt, Gimenez drops a subtle Easter egg referencing Professor Bookman, confirming that both attorneys operate within the same literary universe. The Bookman novels should be read in this order:

Con Law (2013)
End of Days (2017)

Standalone Texas Legal Thrillers

Gimenez has written several standalone legal thrillers that share the same gritty Texas atmosphere, sharp dialogue, and legal authenticity. These are excellent companion pieces to read once you have completed the Scott Fenney books:

The Abduction (2007) - Also published under the title Saving Grace, this thriller focuses on a high-stakes search for a kidnapped girl in Texas.
The Perk (2008) - A story about a grieving lawyer who returns to his small Texas hometown, only to be dragged into a corruption scandal.
The Common Lawyer (2009) - Follows a young Austin traffic court lawyer who suddenly finds himself representing a wealthy client accused of murder.
The Governor's Wife (2012) - A political thriller exploring corruption at the highest levels of Texas government.
The Case Against William (2014) - A courtroom drama centered on a lawyer defending his own son against a murder charge.

Practical Reader Advice

Where is the best starting point?

You should absolutely start with The Color of Law. It is not only the first book in the series but is widely regarded as one of Gimenez's strongest works. It sets the ethical foundations for everything Scott Fenney does in the subsequent novels.

Can the books be read as standalones?

While each book features a self-contained legal case that is resolved by the final page, the personal arc of Scott Fenney, his relationship with his family, and his evolving standing in the legal community are continuous. Read them as a series rather than standalones for the best experience.

Are there any spin-offs or co-authored books?

No. Mark Gimenez writes all of his novels solo, and there are no direct spin-off series or collaborative books featuring Scott Fenney.