Robert Bailey Books in Order: McMurtrie & Drake, Jason Rich, and More

Robert Bailey brings a trial lawyer’s perspective to legal thrillers set largely in the American South. His best-known books combine courtroom strategy with murder investigations, family conflicts, corruption, revenge, and the complicated personal lives of lawyers caught in dangerous cases. Bailey’s own background as a longtime civil defense trial lawyer in Huntsville, Alabama, is an important part of the setting and legal detail behind his fiction.

The bibliography is now divided among four series, plus two standalone novels. The McMurtrie & Drake books form Bailey’s original legal-thriller sequence, while the Bocephus Haynes and Jason Rich books introduce other lawyers and cases in the same broader Southern legal-thriller landscape. The Mediator begins the newer Max Ringo series with a different protagonist and a fresh legal-suspense setup.

Robert Bailey Books in Publication Order

Robert Bailey’s official bibliography currently lists 13 books, from The Professor through The Mediator.

There is a small discrepancy in how some databases count Bailey’s bibliography because they may include older editions or catalog records differently. Bailey’s official publication-order page is the better source for the current author bibliography and lists the books above.

McMurtrie & Drake Books in Order

The McMurtrie & Drake legal thrillers are Bailey’s original and most established series. The books follow former law professor Thomas Jackson McMurtrie, his younger former student and partner Rick Drake, and a growing group of recurring characters.

The official author site identifies four books in the series.

1. The Professor

McMurtrie & Drake #1 | 2015

Thomas Jackson McMurtrie is an Alabama law professor who has spent his career teaching evidence and preparing students for the realities of the courtroom. A confrontation with a headstrong student, Rick Drake, gives a powerful colleague an opportunity to push McMurtrie out of his academic career.

At the same time, Drake takes on a devastating trucking accident case involving a young family. What initially looks like a civil lawsuit begins to reveal evidence of arson, bribery, greed, and a dangerous cover-up. Drake eventually realizes that the mentor he has fallen out with may be the only person capable of helping him win the case.

The Professor introduces the two central lawyers and establishes Bailey’s blend of courtroom drama, Southern setting, investigation, and personal conflict.

2. Between Black and White

McMurtrie & Drake #2 | 2016

The second novel expands the series through the story of Bocephus Haynes, an African American lawyer whose life has been shaped by the murder of his father during the civil-rights era.

Decades after the killing, the man believed to have led the lynching is murdered at the same location. Bo becomes the prime suspect, forcing McMurtrie and Rick Drake into a capital-murder defense.

The case connects courtroom suspense with Alabama’s history of racial violence and gives Bocephus Haynes a major role in the fictional world that Bailey continues to develop in later books.

3. The Last Trial

McMurtrie & Drake #3 | 2018

McMurtrie’s former nemesis, Jack Willistone, is found dead beside the Black Warrior River. The evidence points toward a troubled woman, but her teenage daughter refuses to accept that her mother is guilty.

McMurtrie agrees to defend her, bringing Rick Drake and Bocephus Haynes into an increasingly dangerous investigation. As witnesses disappear and old enemies return, the case becomes both a professional and deeply personal challenge.

The novel continues the character development from the first two books while giving McMurtrie one of his most consequential courtroom battles.

4. The Final Reckoning

McMurtrie & Drake #4 | 2019

JimBone Wheeler is a convicted killer who blames McMurtrie for putting him on death row. When Wheeler escapes prison, he begins carrying out a campaign of revenge against the people McMurtrie loves.

This time the conflict moves beyond the courtroom. McMurtrie, Rick Drake, and Bocephus Haynes must deal with an enemy who is determined to settle an old score, while McMurtrie’s own declining health adds urgency to the confrontation.

The fourth novel brings a major chapter of McMurtrie’s story to a dramatic close.

Bocephus Haynes Books in Order

Bocephus Haynes is introduced in Between Black and White before becoming the central character of his own two-book series.

1. Legacy of Lies

Bocephus Haynes #1 | 2020

Bocephus Haynes is a small-town Alabama attorney whose professional life places him in difficult conflicts involving prejudice, corruption, crime, and the people who control his community.

The novel develops Bo beyond his supporting role in the McMurtrie & Drake books and gives him a case of his own. It also continues Bailey’s interest in the tension between personal history and the pursuit of justice.

2. The Wrong Side

Bocephus Haynes #2 | 2021

In the second Bocephus Haynes novel, the battle becomes even more personal. Bo takes on a case involving a young man whose life is at stake, forcing the experienced attorney to confront a legal system filled with difficult choices and powerful opposition.

The book is best read after Legacy of Lies because Bo’s character and history continue from the first novel. The official bibliography lists the two books consecutively as the Bocephus Haynes series.

Jason Rich Books in Order

The Jason Rich series follows a very different kind of lawyer. Jason Rich built a successful practice around personal-injury cases and a memorable advertising slogan, but his career and personal life have taken some serious turns by the beginning of the first book.

The official author site currently lists three Jason Rich novels.

1. Rich Blood

Jason Rich #1 | 2022

Jason Rich has made a fortune representing people injured in accidents, but his personal life is in trouble after a divorce and a stint in rehab.

When his sister is accused of murdering her husband, Jason returns to his hometown of Guntersville, Alabama, to defend her. He has little experience with criminal trials, and his sister’s complicated relationships give him plenty of reasons to question what really happened.

The case forces Jason to confront both his family’s secrets and the consequences of his own past.

2. Rich Waters

Jason Rich #2 | 2023

Jason has returned home and is trying to rebuild his life when another difficult criminal case lands in front of him.

A former high-school football star is accused of killing a police officer, but Jason’s involvement is not entirely voluntary. A local meth kingpin pressures him into defending the accused man, putting Jason’s family and friends at risk.

As Jason investigates the case, he becomes increasingly involved in the criminal network controlling his hometown. The novel develops both the legal thriller and Jason’s continuing attempt to repair his damaged life.

3. Rich Justice

Jason Rich #3 | 2024

Jason Rich’s past catches up with him when Tyson Cade, a powerful meth kingpin, is murdered and Jason becomes the accused killer.

To clear his name, Jason turns to Shay Lankford, an old adversary who is himself a disgraced attorney. Together they investigate the murder while trying to survive the people who have a stake in keeping the truth hidden.

The third book continues directly from the world established in Rich Blood and Rich Waters, making publication order the natural way to experience Jason’s story.

Max Ringo Books in Order

Max Ringo is Bailey’s newest series. At present, it contains one published novel.

1. The Mediator

Max Ringo #1 | 2026

The Mediator introduces a disgraced lawyer who is fresh from rehabilitation and desperate for a chance to rebuild her life.

Her professional comeback takes an unexpected turn when she becomes involved in a high-stakes divorce mediation while simultaneously trying to rescue her kidnapped son. The legal assignment and the personal crisis collide, putting her in a situation where the outcome of one case could determine whether she gets her life back.

The novel is Bailey’s latest published book and marks the beginning of the Max Ringo series. Bailey’s official site currently labels it Max Ringo Series, Book 1.

Robert Bailey Standalone Books

Not every Bailey novel belongs to a recurring series. Two of his books are currently presented as standalones by his official bibliography.

The Golfer’s Carol

Standalone | 2020

The Golfer’s Carol moves away from courtroom suspense into inspirational fiction.

Randy Clark reaches a desperate point on his fortieth birthday. His golf career never developed as he had hoped, his marriage is struggling, and financial problems have left him believing that his family might be better off without him.

His plans change when the ghost of his best friend offers him an extraordinary opportunity: four rounds of golf with four of his personal heroes. Each round becomes a lesson about life, choices, hope, and second chances.

The Boomerang

Standalone | 2025

The Boomerang is Bailey’s political thriller rather than a courtroom series novel.

The president of the United States has terminal cancer, but his condition unexpectedly improves. Chief of Staff Eli James is one of the few people who knows about the original diagnosis. When Eli’s daughter is also diagnosed with cancer, his search for answers leads him toward a potentially devastating secret involving government, Big Pharma, money, and millions of lives.

The story combines political conspiracy, family stakes, action, and a father’s determination to protect his daughter. Bailey’s official site identifies The Boomerang as a standalone book.

Do You Need to Read Robert Bailey’s Books in Order?

You do not need to read all of Robert Bailey’s books chronologically. The series can be treated as separate reading paths.

For the best character continuity, however, read each individual series in publication order:

McMurtrie & Drake

1. The Professor
2. Between Black and White
3. The Last Trial
4. The Final Reckoning

Bocephus Haynes

1. Legacy of Lies
2. The Wrong Side

Jason Rich

1. Rich Blood
2. Rich Waters
3. Rich Justice

Max Ringo

1. The Mediator

The standalone novels can be read whenever you like.

Which Robert Bailey Series Should You Start With?

If you are specifically looking for Bailey’s classic legal thriller series, start with The Professor. It introduces Tom McMurtrie and Rick Drake and provides the foundation for the author’s recurring Southern legal-thriller world.

If you prefer a younger, more troubled protagonist and a series that begins with a personal crisis, Rich Blood is the entry point for Jason Rich.

If you want a completely new protagonist, The Mediator begins the Max Ringo series and can be read without any previous Bailey books.

Are Robert Bailey’s Series Connected?

There is some overlap between Bailey’s legal-thriller characters and fictional world. Bocephus Haynes, for example, is introduced in the McMurtrie & Drake series before receiving his own books.

The strongest connection is therefore between McMurtrie & Drake and Bocephus Haynes. Jason Rich has his own three-book storyline, while Max Ringo begins a newer series with a different central character.

For readers interested primarily in character continuity, it makes more sense to finish one series before moving to another rather than attempting to create one giant chronological reading order.

Robert Bailey Books at a Glance

Bailey’s official site currently presents these as his main published series and standalone works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first Robert Bailey book?

The Professor is the first book in Robert Bailey’s McMurtrie & Drake legal-thriller series and the book that launched his major fiction bibliography. Bailey’s official site identifies it as McMurtrie & Drake Book 1.

How many Robert Bailey books are there?

Bailey’s official publication-order page currently lists 12 books, including four McMurtrie & Drake novels, two Bocephus Haynes novels, three Jason Rich novels, two standalones, and the first Max Ringo novel, The Mediator.

What is the latest Robert Bailey book?

The latest published Robert Bailey book is The Mediator, released in 2026. It is the first book in the Max Ringo series.

Is The Professor part of a series?

Yes. The Professor is Book 1 of the McMurtrie & Drake Legal Thrillers series. The series contains four books: The Professor, Between Black and White, The Last Trial, and The Final Reckoning.

Is The Boomerang part of a series?

No. The Boomerang is currently presented by Bailey’s official site as a standalone political thriller.

Are the Jason Rich books connected?

Yes. Rich Blood, Rich Waters, and Rich Justice form the Jason Rich series and should be read in that order for the continuing character story.

Which Robert Bailey books feature Bocephus Haynes?

Bocephus Haynes is central to the two-book series Legacy of Lies and The Wrong Side. He is also an important recurring character in the McMurtrie & Drake books, particularly from Between Black and White onward.

Final Thoughts

Robert Bailey’s books are easiest to follow when organized around their recurring protagonists rather than treated as one long publication sequence. The McMurtrie & Drake books remain the foundation of his legal-thriller bibliography, while Bocephus Haynes and Jason Rich provide two additional character-driven series.

For a first-time reader, The Professor offers the clearest introduction to Bailey’s courtroom fiction. Readers who have already worked through the older series can move into The Mediator, which begins the newer Max Ringo storyline and represents the latest stage of Bailey’s bibliography as of 2026.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.