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Camino Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby John Grisham
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Camino Series by John Grisham with "Camino Winds", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

A series featuring Florida bookstore owner Bruce Cable and novelist Mercer Mann, who investigate literary mysteries, theft, and murder on Camino Island.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Camino Winds"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The overwhelming consensus identifies J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as the mandatory starting point and foundational text ('grand-daddy' and 'kickstarter'). Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time is consistently cited as the defining sprawling epic of the genre. Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is strongly recommended as a key evolutionary step, bridging the gap between Tolkien's style and modern fantasy's morally ambiguous characters. Other highly recommended series include Daniel Abraham’s Long Price Quartet/Kithamar Trilogy, Steven Erikson's Malazan, and Ursula K. LeGuin's Earthsea."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit, as it is repeatedly identified as the essential progenitor of the genre. Follow this with Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time to cover the major pillars of traditional epic fantasy, and then transition to Memory, Sorrow and Thorn (Tad Williams) to understand the modern evolution of the genre.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Camino Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Camino Series. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Camino Winds" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Camino Series" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "Camino Winds"Explore all by John Grisham

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order2 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
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1

Camino Winds

Pub: 2020

Just as Bruce Cable’s Bay Books is preparing for the return of bestselling author Mercer Mann, Hurricane Leo veers from its predicted course and heads straight for the island. Florida’s governor orders a mandatory evacuation, and most residents board up their houses and flee to the mainland, but Bruce decides to stay and ride out the storm. The hurricane is devastating: homes and condos are leveled, hotels and storefronts ruined, streets flooded, and a dozen people lose their lives. One of the apparent victims is Nelson Kerr, a friend of Bruce’s and an author of thrillers. But the nature of Nelson’s injuries suggests that the storm wasn’t the cause of his death: He has suffered several suspicious blows to the head. Who would want Nelson dead? The local police are overwhelmed in the aftermath of the storm and ill equipped to handle the case. Bruce begins to wonder if the shady characters in Nelson’s novels might be more real than fictional. And somewhere on Nelson’s computer is the manuscript of his new novel. Could the key to the case be right there—in black and white? As Bruce starts to investigate, what he discovers between the lines is more shocking than any of Nelson’s plot twists—and far more dangerous.

2

Camino Ghosts

Pub: 2024

Plot details hidden until you finish "Camino Winds".

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Will an ancient curse darken the skies over Camino Island? Bruce Cable and Mercer Mann are about to find out.Look for John Grisham’s forthcoming legal thriller, The Widow. This time, the verdict isn’t the end of the story.Mercer Mann, a popular writer from Camino Island, is back on the beach, marrying her boyfriend, Thomas, in a seaside ceremony. Bruce Cable, infamous owner of Bay Books, performs the wedding. Afterward, Bruce tells Mercer that he has stumbled upon an incredible story. Mercer desperately needs an idea for her next novel, and Bruce now has one.The true story is about Dark Isle, a sliver of a barrier island not far off the North Florida coast. It was settled by freed slaves three hundred years ago, and their descendants lived there until 1955, when the last one was forced to leave. That last descendant is Lovely Jackson, elderly now, who loves her birthplace and its remarkable history. But now Tidal Breeze, a huge, ruthless corporate developer, wants to build a resort and casino on the island, which Lovely knows, deep down, is rightfully hers.Mercer befriends Lovely, and they plunge into an enormous fight over who owns Dark Isle, taking on Tidal Breeze Corporation, its lawyers, lobbyists, and powerful Florida politicians. But Lovely knows something about the island that could seriously cloud the dollar signs in the developer’s eyes: the island is cursed. It has remained uninhabited for nearly a century for some very real and very troubling reasons. The deep secrets of the past are about to collide with the enormous ambitions of the present, and the fate of Dark Isle—and Camino Island, too—hangs in the balance.Look for all of John Grisham’s rollicking Camino novels:Camino IslandCamino WindsCamino Ghosts

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Camino Series series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Camino Series?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Camino Winds" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as John Grisham intended.

Can I read Camino Series books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Camino Series universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.