How to Read Al Rennie’s Books
Al Rennie is a Canadian indie author who has built a dedicated following with his fast-paced, humor-laced mystery novels. He is best known for two distinct series: the massive, beach-bound Clearwater Series (also known as the Joe 'Doc' Holiday series) and the shorter, gritty Riverview Series. Both series rely heavily on ongoing character growth, recurring side characters, and developing relationships, meaning that the absolute best way to experience his books is in publication order, which matches their chronological order.
The Recommended Starting Point: Joe Holiday / Clearwater Series
If you are new to Al Rennie’s universe, the recommended place to start is Clearwater Journals, the very first book in the Joe Holiday mysteries. The series is set against the vibrant backdrop of Clearwater Beach, Florida, and blends crime-solving with romantic suspense, humor, and quirky local flavor. Ex-cop Joe Holiday’s partnership and May-December romance with Mia forms the emotional anchor of the series, and their personal milestones evolve continuously across the books.
Clearwater Series Reading Order (Joe Holiday)
The Clearwater books are highly serialized. To follow the narrative continuity, we recommend reading them in this order:
- Clearwater Journals (2014)
- Clearwater Diaries (2014)
- Clearwater Ambush (2014)
- Clearwater Abduction (2014)
- Clearwater Heat (2014)
- Clearwater Kissoff (2014)
- Clearwater Showdown (2014)
- Clearwater Magic (2014)
- Clearwater Intrigue (2014)
- Clearwater Danger (2015)
- Clearwater Predator (2015)
- Clearwater Extortion (2015)
- Clearwater Killer (2015)
- Clearwater Oops (2015)
- Clearwater Crazy (2015)
- Clearwater Undercover (2015)
- Clearwater Hunter (2015)
- Clearwater Justice (2015)
- Clearwater Skip Trace (2015)
- Clearwater Assault (2015)
- Clearwater Folly (2015)
- Clearwater Homesick (2015)
- Clearwater Hustle (2015)
- Clearwater Stake Out (2015)
- Clearwater Fit (2015)
- Clearwater Double Cross (2015)
- Clearwater Vice (2015)
- Clearwater Escape (2015)
- Clearwater Bubba (2016)
- Clearwater Betrayal (2016)
- Clearwater Penalty (2016)
- Clearwater Deception (2016)
- Clearwater Confession (2016)
- Clearwater Promises (2016)
- Clearwater Nemesis (2017)
- Clearwater Glitz (2017)
- Clearwater Mirage (2017)
- Clearwater Witness (2017)
- Clearwater Cowboy (2017)
- Clearwater Retirement (2018)
- Clearwater Gun Thug (2018)
- Clearwater Flip Flop (2018)
- Clearwater Spring Break (2018)
- Clearwater Kidnap (2019)
- Clearwater Seduction (2019)
- Clearwater Rescue (2019)
- Clearwater Blackmail (2019)
- Clearwater Princess (2019)
- Clearwater Hope (2020)
- Clearwater Birthday (2020)
The Riverview Series
In addition to the Joe Holiday books, Rennie wrote the Riverview Series in 2015. This is a shorter, four-book mystery/thriller series featuring a recurring cast of characters, including an investigator named Al who assists friends and family through legal hazards, blackmail conspiracies, and kidnappings. Unlike the Clearwater series, it takes a slightly different tone and focus, but fans of Rennie’s fast pacing will find the same style here. They should be read in order:
- L.A. Escape (2015)
- Vengeance (2015)
- Blessed are the Children (2015)
- Retribution (2015)
What to Know Before You Start
Al Rennie’s writing style is gritty, humorous, and highly character-driven. Because he self-published his books rapidly—often releasing multiple titles in a single year—readers should note that earlier editions occasionally contain minor typos or formatting glitches. However, the beachy, escapist atmospheres and addictive, quick-reading plots have made the series a major hit among fans of authors like Lee Child.
While individual cases are usually resolved by the end of each book, the personal lives of Joe Holiday, Mia, and their expanding family unit are continuous. Reading the books out of order will lead to major spoilers regarding their relationships, family developments, and career transitions.