Ever get that feeling when you start a book and realize you’ve missed a massive chunk of the main character’s life? Like you’ve walked into a party an hour late and everyone is laughing at an inside joke you don’t get? That’s basically what happens if you dive into the world of Wayne Stinnett without knowing the right way to tackle the jesse mcdermitt books in order.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess if you just look at the copyright dates. Stinnett didn’t write them in a straight line. He’s a former Marine, a divemaster, and someone who has lived the "salt life" for real, so his storytelling has that gritty, authentic Florida Keys flavor. But his publishing schedule? That’s more like a zigzag through a mangrove swamp.
The Big "Where Do I Start?" Dilemma
If you go by the year they hit the shelves, you’d start with Fallen Palm. It came out in 2013. But here’s the kicker: Fallen Out, which is technically Book 1, didn't come out until 2014.
🔗 Read more: Why Mi Vida Mi Muerte Still Hits Different: The Legacy of a Latin Urban Classic
Why does this matter? Because Fallen Out is the origin story. It’s where Jesse retires from the Marine Corps at 37, moves to the Keys, and tries to figure out how to be a civilian when his most marketable skill is "killing people from a mile away." If you skip it, you're meeting a Jesse who is already settled, and you miss the raw transition from sniper to charter boat captain.
The Chronological Order (The Way Most Fans Recommend)
Look, you can read them however you want, but if you want the narrative to actually make sense, follow the internal timeline. Most die-hard readers will tell you that the "correct" way to read the jesse mcdermitt books in order is chronologically.
- Fallen Out (2014) – Jesse’s retirement and the start of his charter business.
- Fallen Palm (2013) – Investigating a friend's "accidental" drowning.
- Fallen Hunter (2013) – Dealing with a personal tragedy while hunting a Hezbollah arms dealer.
- Fallen Pride (2014) – Jesse gets pulled into a web of government secrets.
- Fallen Mangrove (2014) – A hurricane, a treasure ship, and the return of a daughter he barely knows.
This first "arc" is crucial. It establishes his island, his boat (the Checkmate), and his complicated relationship with his daughters, Kim and Eve.
The Series Expands: Rising and Beyond
After the first ten books—which all start with "Fallen"—the series shifts into the "Rising" phase. By this point, Jesse isn't just a guy on a boat anymore. He’s basically a reluctant asset for the government, using his high-speed fishing boat as cover for operations that the Feds can't officially touch.
The Middle Years
- Fallen King (2015)
- Fallen Honor (2015)
- Fallen Tide (2015)
- Fallen Angel (2016)
- Fallen Hero (2016)
Then we hit the shift:
- Rising Storm (2017)
- Rising Fury (2017)
- Rising Force (2018)
- Rising Charity (2019) – This is a big one because it heavily features Charity Styles.
- Rising Water (2019)
- Rising Spirit (2019)
- Rising Thunder (2020)
- Rising Warrior (2020)
- Rising Moon (2020)
- Rising Tide (2021)
Stinnett writes fast. Like, scary fast. It’s impressive how he keeps the quality up while churning out several books a year.
Moving Into the Modern Era (2022-2026)
Lately, the titles have moved away from the "Rising" prefix. We’re seeing more nautical terms and specific locations. If you’re catching up now in 2026, here is the tail end of the list that keeps the story moving forward:
- Steady As She Goes (2021)
- All Ahead Full (2021)
- Man Overboard (2022)
- Cast Off (2022)
- Fish On! (2022)
- Weigh Anchor (2023)
- Swift and Silent (2024)
- Apalach Affair (2024)
- Dominica Blue (2024)
- Down Island (2025)
- Looted (2025)
- Cursed (2026)
Why Jesse McDermitt Isn't Your Average Hero
The reason people obsess over the jesse mcdermitt books in order isn't just for the action. It’s the vibe. Stinnett is often compared to John D. MacDonald (the Travis McGee series) or Randy Wayne White (Doc Ford).
Jesse is a "moral compass" character. He’s not looking for trouble. He literally just wants to scuba dive, fish, and hang out on his private island in the Content Keys. But the world won't let him. Whether it’s human traffickers, drug runners, or corrupt lawyers, Jesse eventually reaches a breaking point where the "Marine" side of him takes over.
It’s that "reluctant warrior" trope done really, really well.
Don't Forget the Crossovers
If you really want to be a completionist, you sort of have to look at the Charity Styles books too. Charity is a stone-cold assassin who works for a shadow agency, and she pops up in Jesse’s world frequently.
The book Rising Charity is basically a bridge between their two worlds. Reading them together gives you a much broader picture of the "Stinnett-verse." There’s also the Jerry Snyder series, which occupies the same Caribbean space.
Actionable Tips for New Readers
If you're just starting out, don't get overwhelmed by the 30+ books. Here is the best way to handle it:
- Start with Fallen Out. Seriously. Ignore the publication date of 2014. It’s the actual beginning of Jesse's journey.
- Watch the "Fallen" vs "Rising" labels. The "Fallen" books generally deal with Jesse finding his feet and dealing with personal vendettas. The "Rising" books up the ante with more geopolitical stakes.
- Check out the Audiobooks. Nick Sullivan narrates most of these, and honestly, he is the voice of Jesse McDermitt for a lot of fans. His delivery of the dry, Marine-style humor is spot on.
- Keep a map handy. Stinnett uses real locations. If Jesse says he’s running from Marathon to the Dry Tortugas, you can actually track that path on Google Maps. It makes the reading experience way more immersive.
The best part about finding the jesse mcdermitt books in order is realizing you have months of reading ahead of you. It’s the perfect "beach read" series, even if you’re stuck on a couch in the middle of winter. Just start at the beginning—the real beginning—and let the tide take you.
To get the most out of the series, grab a copy of Fallen Out first to understand Jesse's transition from the military to the Keys. From there, follow the chronological sequence rather than the release years to ensure the character growth and family dynamics make the most sense. If you find yourself hooked on the side characters, particularly the mysterious Charity Styles, consider weaving her standalone series into your reading list after you finish Rising Charity.