A.J. Stewart Books in Order

Where to Start Reading A.J. Stewart

For most readers, the best place to start is with the Miami Jones Florida Mysteries. This is A.J. Stewart's signature series, blending the classic sunshine-noir vibe of Travis McGee with sports-centric plots and a witty, laid-back investigator. You can begin with the prequel novella Three Strikes (available by signing up to the author's newsletter) or dive straight into the first full-length novel, Stiff Arm Steal.

If you prefer international espionage and high-octane action over local detective work, the John Flynn Thrillers offer a darker, faster-paced alternative. Start this path with the prequel story The Compound or the first novel, The Final Tour.

Miami Jones Florida Mysteries Reading Order

The Miami Jones series follows a former college baseball player turned private investigator in Florida. Each book typically revolves around a specific sport or recreational activity, bringing a unique flavor to the detective work. While the mysteries themselves are standalone, the characters' relationships, personal lives, and the growth of Miami's firm develop sequentially. Reading in publication order is highly recommended.

1. Three Strikes (2012) – Prequel Novella
2. Stiff Arm Steal (2012)
3. Offside Trap (2013)
4. High Lie (2014)
5. Dead Fast (2015)
6. Crash Tack (2015)
7. Deep Rough (2016)
8. King Tide (2017)
9. No Right Turn (2017)
10. Cruise Control (2018)
11. Red Shirt (2018)
12. Half Court Press (2019)
13. Past The Post (2020)
14. The Ninth Inning (2020)
15. Big Thaw (2021)
16. Devil's Backbone (2022)
17. Below The Belt (2022)
18. Making The Drop (2023)
19. Outside Lanes (2024)

The Danielle Castle Spin-off

Danielle Castle is Miami Jones's sharp and formidable business partner. She stars in her own spin-off mystery, Little Packages, published in 2019. For the best continuity, read this book alongside Half Court Press or immediately after it to catch up with Danielle's solo exploits.

John Flynn Thrillers Reading Order

Stepping away from the breezy Florida coast, the John Flynn series features a former French Foreign Legion soldier who finds himself dragged into international operations. These are fast-paced, classic action thrillers that should be read in order:

1. The Compound (2017) – Prequel Novella
2. The Final Tour (2017)
3. Burned Bridges (2018)
4. One for One (2018)
5. The Rotten State (2020)
6. Lost Luggage (2021)

Lenny and Lucas Action Adventure Reading Order

For fans of buddy adventures and military action, A.J. Stewart introduces Lenny Cox (a Marine) and Lucas Burnside (an Australian SAS soldier). This series is packed with military humor and high-stakes missions. You should begin with the prequel before reading the main novels in order:

1. Temple of Gold (2019) – Prequel/Book 0.5
2. Tropical Snow (2024)
3. Emerald Dawn (2024)
4. Lion's Shadow (2024)
5. Red Sunset (2025)

Collaborations and Standalones

In addition to his main series, A.J. Stewart has written standalone stories and contributed to collaborative shared-world projects.

Baskin Island Mysteries

This series introduces Samantha 'Sam' Waters, a police diver from the Isle of Wight who gets caught up in a Florida murder investigation. It offers a fresh detective perspective:

• Clearer Waters (2022)

Tropical Adventure Series

A.J. Stewart teamed up with other prominent tropical-fiction authors (such as Wayne Stinnett, Nick Sullivan, and Nicholas Harvey) for this collaborative adventure universe. While the books are co-authored or written by different authors in the group, they share a relaxed, adventurous tone. A.J. Stewart notably co-authored the fifth book:

1. Graceless (2022) – Co-authored by Wayne Stinnett, John H. Cunningham, Nick Sullivan, and Nicholas Harvey
2. Timeless (2022)
3. Shameless (2023)
4. Priceless (2023)
5. Faceless (2023) – Co-authored by A.J. Stewart, Nick Sullivan, Chris Niles, and Nicholas Harvey

Standalone Novels

• The Hard Road (2013)