The Recommended Reading Order Path
For the best reading experience, Douglas Pratt's novels should be read within their respective series sequences. While he writes across distinct subgenres—ranging from hard-boiled Memphis private investigator mysteries to breezy tropical action thrillers—there is minimal crossover between his major series. The one exception is his secondary characters, such as Rikki Talens, who spin off from the main series into their own collaborative adventures.
If you want to experience his writing evolution, starting with the Max Sawyer series is ideal. However, if you are looking for classic sun-and-sails escapism, you can safely skip ahead straight to the Chase Gordon Tropical Thrillers.
Max Sawyer Series in Publication Order
This series features Memphis reporter Max Sawyer as he unravels dark mysteries, dealing with personal demons, small-town corruption, and murders. It is best read in publication order to appreciate Max's character development and recurring relationships.
- Blood Remembered (2011)
- Baptism of Blood (2012)
- Blood Stained (2017)
- Bloody History (2017) – Note: While this functions as a prequel (Book 0.5) exploring Max's background, it is recommended to read it after the initial novels to appreciate the references.
- Crimson Blood (2017)
- Blood River (2019)
- Blood and Roses (2020)
Chase Gordon Tropical Thrillers in Publication & Chronological Order
Follow Chase Gordon, a former Marine and "boat bum" bartender who sails the Caribbean and constantly finds himself entangled in high-stakes conspiracies, drug rings, and historical mysteries. Reading in publication order is highly recommended as characters grow and recurring allies are introduced.
ol>The Corsair Novels
This action thriller series features Caleb Saunders, a former government black-ops specialist codenamed "Corsair." Believed dead by his former handlers, Caleb attempts to lead a quiet life as a father until threat of exposure drags him back into combat.
- La Playa de Los Muertos (2023)
- Midnight Dance (2024)
Greene Wolfe Series
A partnership series featuring Charlotte Greene and Grant Wolfe, two misfits from law enforcement and military backgrounds who use their unique skills to track down lost or stolen high-value assets across global locales.
- Missing in The Keys (2023)
- Missing in Zanzibar (2024)
- Missing in Hawaii (2025)
Spin-Offs, Co-Authored Works, and Short Stories
Pratt has written several spin-offs and standalone projects that fit into his tropical action universe:
A Rikki Talens Adventure
Rikki Talens first appears in the Chase Gordon novel Deep Gold and plays a key role in Gulf Dreams. Pratt teamed up with co-author E. Chris Ambrose to give Rikki her own treasure-hunting spin-off. It is best to start this series after reading Gulf Dreams.
- Crossbones (2024)
Tropical Adventure Series
These are collaborative novels written by Pratt alongside other notable tropical thriller authors (including Nick Sullivan, Wayne Stinnett, and Nicholas Harvey). They are standalone adventures that share the same sunny, high-stakes atmosphere.
- Graceless (2022)
- Timeless (2022)
- Shameless (2023)
- Priceless (2023)
- Faceless (2023)
Short Stories
- Delayed Indefinitely (2020) – A quick, standalone thriller.
What to Know Before You Start
Douglas Pratt’s books are heavily inspired by classic tropical adventure fiction like Travis McGee and action-heavy mysteries like Jack Reacher. The Chase Gordon books are fast-paced, episodic, and offer satisfying self-contained resolutions, though the recurring cast and Chase's evolving lifestyle make reading in sequence highly rewarding. In contrast, the Max Sawyer books have a darker, more traditional Southern noir detective tone. Readers looking for a sun-drenched escape should head straight to the Caribbean with Chase, while fans of gritty investigations should start in Memphis with Max.