Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start with Davin Goodwin
If you are ready to swap the daily grind for turquoise Caribbean waters, scuba diving adventures, and a healthy dose of murder, you will want to dive straight into Davin Goodwin’s books. The best and only way to experience this series is to read the books in order of their release, starting with the debut novel, Diver's Paradise.
Because the series follows the personal evolution of retired detective Roscoe Conklin and his relationships on the island of Bonaire, reading them out of order will spoil key character developments and ongoing plot lines.
Davin Goodwin Books in Publication & Chronological Order
Since the publication order aligns perfectly with the chronological events of the series, following this list is straightforward. Here is the order of the Roscoe Conklin mysteries:
- Diver's Paradise (2020) – Introduces Roscoe Conklin, his retirement on Bonaire, and the sudden murder of a close friend that pulls him back into investigator mode.
- Paradise Cove (2022) – The second installment, where Conklin is pulled into a darker, local mystery after a severed human leg washes ashore on the island.
What to Know Before You Start: Setting, Tone, and Inspiration
Before you pack your virtual bags for Bonaire, here is what makes Davin Goodwin's mysteries stand out:
The Bonaire Setting: Davin Goodwin is an avid scuba diver with over 800 logged dives. He has visited the Caribbean island of Bonaire dozens of times, and his intimate knowledge of the local geography, dive spots, and culture shines through on every page. The island is not just a backdrop; it is a living, breathing character in the novels.
The Protagonist: Roscoe Conklin is a retired police detective who wanted nothing more than to leave his past behind and enjoy a relaxed, beachside retirement. However, his instincts and loyalty to friends keep dragging him back to the dark side of human nature. Note that while there is a character named Roscoe Conklin in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher franchise (specifically in the novel Killing Floor and the Reacher TV adaptation), Davin Goodwin’s protagonist is completely unrelated.
Tone and Style: The novels have been compared to the works of Randy Wayne White and John D. MacDonald. They offer a blend of sunny, tropical escapism with fast-paced, gritty suspense. The dialogue is snappy, influenced by the style of classic mystery writer Robert B. Parker.
Are There Spin-offs or Co-authored Works?
At present, Davin Goodwin has not co-authored any novels or published spin-offs in the Roscoe Conklin universe. The series remains focused entirely on Conklin's solo adventures in Bonaire. While fans of the series are eagerly awaiting a third installment, no official release date or title has been finalized yet.