If you are a fan of sun-drenched sunscapes, marine action, and high-octane suspense, Douglas Pratt is an author who deserves a permanent spot on your bookshelf. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Pratt expertly blends high-stakes adventure with deep Southern charm.
While he has dipped his toes into gritty mystery thrillers and adventure serials, he is globally recognized for creating Chase Gordon—a former Marine turned boat bum who constantly finds himself tangled up in deadly coastal conspiracies. Reading his work in order allows you to follow the complex evolution of his characters, his fictional worlds, and his signature pacing.
The Chase Gordon Tropical Thrillers in Order
This is Pratt’s premier, bestselling series. It is highly recommended to read these in order, as Chase Gordon’s personal life, allies, and overarching enemies develop continuously from book to book.
Diamond Reef (2020)
- The Synopsis: Former Marine Chase Gordon is living a quiet life on his boat until a mysterious salvage operation pulls him into a deadly hunt for hidden treasure. He must outsmart cutthroat criminals who will stop at nothing to claim the reef’s secrets.
Dark Cay (2021)
- The Synopsis: A simple trip to a remote Caribbean cay takes a dark turn when Chase stumbles upon a modern smuggling ring. Outnumbered and outgunned, he has to use his military training to survive the island landscape.
Deep Gold (2021)
- The Synopsis: Drawn into a deep-sea diving expedition, Chase uncovers more than just historical wreckage at the bottom of the ocean. A powerful syndicate is tracking his every move, turning a treasure hunt into a race for survival.
Runaway Tide (2021)
- The Synopsis: When a close friend vanishes under suspicious coastal circumstances, Chase navigates a web of local corruption and hidden alliances to find them. The clock is ticking as the tide turns against his search efforts.
Devil Water (2022)
- The Synopsis: An uncharted stretch of water lives up to its cursed reputation when Chase intercepts a high-stakes maritime arms deal. He must wage a one-man war against an elite mercenary group.
White Coral (2022)
- The Synopsis: A luxury resort backdrop turns deadly when Chase is hired to protect a high-profile target hiding from international assassins. The pristine white sands quickly become a tactical battleground.
Shark Pass (2022)
- The Synopsis: Investigating an unusual spike in maritime piracy leads Chase directly into a treacherous, narrow oceanic channel ruled by local warlords. Survival requires navigating both literal and metaphorical predators.
Gator Alley (2022)
- The Synopsis: Shifting the action to the murky, dangerous backwaters of the Florida Everglades, Chase tracks an elusive criminal mastermind. He quickly learns that the human threats are far more lethal than the local wildlife.
Havana Sunrise (2023)
- The Synopsis: A rogue mission takes Chase straight into Cuba, where political secrets and old military ghosts collide. He must pull off a daring escape before the sun rises on his presence.
Gulf Dreams (2023)
- The Synopsis: Looking for a peaceful respite in the Gulf, Chase is inadvertently drawn into a complex corporate espionage plot involving offshore drilling. The investigation forces him to risk his boat and his life to expose the truth.
Red Light at Night (2024)
- The Synopsis: A late-night distress signal leads Chase to an abandoned vessel harboring a dark, international human trafficking operation. To dismantle the ring, he must ally with unpredictable local authorities.
Green Flash (2024)
- The Synopsis: A legendary atmospheric phenomenon coincides with the sudden appearance of a long-lost historical artifact. Chase finds himself caught between competitive collectors and lethal modern mercenaries.
Dead Slow (2025)
- The Synopsis: Trapped in a dense, blinding fog on the water, Chase must defend his crew against a stealthy group of boarders. The narrative acts as a tense, claustrophobic game of cat-and-mouse.
Long Shot (2025)
- The Synopsis: A sniper attack targeting someone close to Chase forces him out of his comfort zone and into a tracking mission across the coast. He must calculate a dangerous counter-strategy to eliminate the threat.
No Good Deed (2026)
- The Synopsis: Proving that no good deed goes unpunished, Chase helps a stranded boater only to become the primary target of a cartel vendetta. The story tests his survival skills to their absolute limit.
Other Notable Series by Douglas Pratt
Beyond the tropical waters of Chase Gordon, Pratt has written several other gripping thrillers that highlight his storytelling versatility.
The Max Sawyer Series
A much grittier, action-packed crime series following the lethal exploits of protagonist Max Sawyer.
- Blood Remembered (2011)
- Baptism of Blood (2012)
- Blood Stained (2012)
- Crimson Blood (2013)
- Blood River (2014)
- Blood and Roses (2015)
The Jay Delp Mysteries
A compelling, atmospheric mystery series focusing on slow-burn investigations and small-town secrets.
- The Woman Under the Bridge (2022)
- The Girl on the East Beach (2025)
The Corsair Novels
High-stakes adventure thrillers centering around historical mysteries and modern-day privateers.
- La Playa de Los Muertos (Book 1)
- Midnight Dance (Book 2)
- Guerrilla Gold (Book 3)
- Blood Trade (Book 4)
About the Author: Douglas Pratt
Douglas Pratt was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, where he discovered his love for writing as early as the third grade. He later attended the University of Memphis, graduating with a degree in Journalism.
His deep affinity for the sea isn’t just a fictional trope—Pratt is an avid sailor who spends a massive portion of his personal time living aboard his own sailboat. This real-world expertise lends an unmatched sense of technical accuracy and atmosphere to his maritime thrillers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the Chase Gordon series in order?
While each novel features a self-contained main mystery or mission, it is highly recommended to read them in order. Chase’s relationships, personal background, and overarching character arc progress chronologically from Diamond Reef onward.
Is Chase Gordon based on a real person?
No, Chase Gordon is a fictional character. However, Douglas Pratt draws heavily from his own real-world sailing experiences, love for coastal exploration, and naval knowledge to make Chase feel incredibly authentic.
What genre are Douglas Pratt’s books?
Douglas Pratt primarily writes tropical thrillers, action-adventure fiction, and crime mysteries. His books are best known for their fast pacing, cinematic action sequences, and coastal settings.
Where does the Chase Gordon series take place?
The series spans across a variety of sun-soaked, tropical locations including the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, the Caribbean sea, Cuba, and the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Are there any short stories in the Chase Gordon universe?
Yes, Douglas Pratt has written companion short stories, including The Last Dive (2026) and Dead Reckoning (2026), which offer fans quick, bite-sized look-ins into Chase’s adventures between major novels.
Final Verdict
Douglas Pratt has perfected the art of the escapist, high-stakes maritime adventure. By masterfully blending authentic sailing terminology with pulse-pounding military action, his books deliver an immersive reading experience. If you want a thrilling literary escape, grabbing a copy of Diamond Reef is the perfect way to begin your journey.
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