How to Read Ed Robinson's Books
Ed Robinson was a master of the maritime thriller genre, bringing his real-life experiences as a liveaboard boater to the page. His fiction centers almost exclusively around Meade Breeze, a roguish, rum-brewing, marijuana-dealing boat bum who constantly finds himself in high-stakes mysteries across Florida, the Caribbean, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Because the characters, relationships, and Breeze's personal circumstances evolve across the books, readers will get the best experience by following the publication order rather than attempting to skip around.
The Meade Breeze saga is divided into three primary completed sub-series, plus posthumous releases and subsequent collaborative continuations. To read the overarching narrative in its proper sequence, readers should progress through the series in the following order:
- The Trawler Trash Series (Books 1–11): This is the foundation of the series, introducing Meade Breeze on his trawler along the Florida Gulf Coast and the Bahamas.
- The Mountain Breeze Series (Books 1–5): Meade heads inland to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, exchanging coastal waters for high-altitude mysteries.
- The Bluewater Breeze Series (Books 1–9): Meade returns to his natural habitat, cruising the Florida Keys, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic coast.
- Posthumous & Continued Novels: The final book written by Robinson, Cayo Costa Breeze, and the continuation novels co-authored by Bob Wright.
The Meade Breeze Adventure Series in Detail
1. The Trawler Trash Series
This is where it all begins. We meet Meade Breeze as he lives on the fringes of society, seeking peace on his boat but constantly running into trouble. These books establish his character, his past, and his core relationships.
- Confessions of a Boat Bum (2014)
- Following Breeze (2015)
- Free Breeze (2015)
- Redeeming Breeze (2016)
- Bahama Breeze (2016)
- Cool Breeze (2016)
- True Breeze (2016)
- Ominous Breeze (2017)
- Restless Breeze (2017)
- Enduring Breeze (2018)
- Benevolent Breeze (2018)
2. The Mountain Breeze Series
After the events of the coastal books, Meade heads to the mountains. While the setting changes from salt water to mountain lakes and forests, the gritty, suspenseful tone and Meade's classic attitude remain intact.
- Banner Elk Breeze (2018)
- Blue Ridge Breeze (2018)
- Beech Mountain Breeze (2019)
- High Country Breeze (2019)
- New River Breeze (2019)
3. The Bluewater Breeze Series
In this block, Meade returns to the sea. The setting returns to tropical islands, hidden cays, and coastal bays, bridging back to the original maritime thriller elements of the early books.
- Coastal Breeze (2019)
- Boca Grande Breeze (2019)
- Captiva Breeze (2019)
- Abaco Breeze (2020)
- Tortuga Breeze (2020)
- Reckless Breeze (2020)
- Dauntless Breeze (2020)
- Outer Banks Breeze (2020)
- Unfortunate Breeze (2020)
4. The Posthumous Conclusion & Later Continuations
Ed Robinson passed away in late 2020 after a battle with cancer. His final manuscript, Cayo Costa Breeze, was completed posthumously with the help of fellow maritime author Wayne Stinnett and released in 2021. Later, collaborator Bob Wright continued Meade's adventures under the Cudjoe Key Breeze banner.
- Cayo Costa Breeze (2021) - Completed by Wayne Stinnett
- Breeze Across the Harbor (2023) - Co-authored with Bob Wright
- ReBorn Breeze (2024) - Co-authored with Bob Wright
Ed Robinson's Non-Fiction
For readers who want to understand the real-life inspiration behind Meade Breeze's adventures, Robinson's non-fiction works are a must-read. These books chronicle Robinson's own decision to leave the corporate grind behind and live aboard a boat with his wife, Kim. While they don't feature Meade Breeze, they provide the authentic backdrop for the entire fictional universe.
- Leap of Faith: Quit Your Job and Live on a Boat (2013)
- Poop, Booze, and Bikinis (2014)
- The Untold Story of Kim (2014)
What to Know Before You Start
Robinson's style is often compared to classic tropical adventure writers like John D. MacDonald. While the books are fast-paced mysteries, they are deeply rooted in the logistics of boat life, navigation, and local coastal color. Because Meade Breeze's life changes significantly—including his financial status, his legal troubles, and his romantic interests—reading the sub-series out of order will result in major character spoilers. Start with Confessions of a Boat Bum to get the full story from the beginning.