Joe Dillard Books in Order — Complete Reading Guide (2026)
The Joe Dillard series is an 11-book legal thriller saga by Scott Pratt and J.D. Pratt, set in Northeast Tennessee's Appalachian foothills. The series follows Joe Dillard, a criminal defense attorney navigating morally complex cases while his personal life — including his wife Caroline's battle with cancer — unfolds across the books. With over seven million copies sold and translations into more than ten languages, it's one of the bestselling legal thriller series of all time.
Here are all 11 Joe Dillard books in the order you should read them.
All 11 Joe Dillard Books in Order
An Innocent Client (2008)
Joe Dillard is a burned-out criminal defense attorney who dreams of representing a truly innocent client. When a young woman is accused of murdering a preacher in a Tennessee motel room, Joe takes the case — and discovers that nothing about it is what it seems. The book that launched the series and earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which praised Pratt's "richly developed characters" and "brilliantly executed debut." An Innocent Client was a Macavity Award finalist and remains the best starting point for new readers.
In Good Faith (2009)
Joe is drawn into a case involving a horrific crime, testing his faith in both the legal system and the people around him. The book deepens the series' exploration of religion, morality, and small-town justice in Appalachian Tennessee.
Injustice For All (2010)
When a judge is murdered, Joe finds himself entangled in a case that reaches into the darkest corners of the local justice system. The title captures a central theme of the series: the gap between law and justice in a small Southern community.
Reasonable Fear (~2011)
This was the first Joe Dillard book Scott Pratt self-published after leaving traditional publishing. When every publisher rejected it, Pratt uploaded it to Amazon and it became a bestseller — proving that readers, not gatekeepers, would decide the series' fate. The book follows Joe as he takes on a case involving one of the most powerful men in the state.
Conflict of Interest (2013)
Joe faces a case where personal loyalty and professional duty collide head-on. As the series progresses, the stakes become increasingly personal — this isn't just about the law anymore, it's about the people Joe loves.
Blood Money (2014)
Reworked from an earlier manuscript called Russo's Gold, Blood Money blends legal thriller with treasure-hunt suspense. This book peaked at #32 on the Kindle bestseller list and helped cement Pratt as one of Amazon's most successful self-published authors.
A Crime of Passion (2014)
A case driven by love, jealousy, and violence tests Joe's ability to separate emotion from evidence. The series' hallmark — strong Southern women characters navigating a male-dominated justice system — is on full display.
Judgment Cometh (And That Right Soon) (2016)
The darkest entry in the series. Joe confronts evil that goes beyond anything he's faced in a courtroom, and the consequences ripple through his family and career. Many readers consider this the emotional turning point of the saga.
Due Process (2017)
Scott Pratt's final completed novel. Due Process brings Joe full circle, returning to the moral dilemmas that defined him from the beginning. Published shortly before both Kristy Pratt's death in June 2018 and Scott's death in November 2018, the book carries an emotional weight that extends beyond the page.
Last Resort (2023)
The first Joe Dillard novel published after Scott's death, co-written by his son J.D. Pratt (pen name of Dylan Pratt — the initials stand for Joe Dillard). Last Resort arrived after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus and has sold approximately 250,000 copies, proving that readers were still hungry for Joe Dillard. J.D. worked with a professional co-writer to honor Scott's voice and vision for the characters.
Vindicate (June 2025)
The first book in the series to feature Jack Dillard — Joe's son — as the protagonist. Jack is a criminal defense attorney reeling from personal and professional setbacks when a podcaster draws him into a convicted murderer's innocence case. As Jack and his wife Charlie dig deeper, they uncover dangerous connections between two seemingly unrelated killings. Even the mighty Joe Dillard is powerless to help.
Reading Tips
Start with Book 1
Each Joe Dillard novel contains a self-contained case, but the characters evolve significantly across the series. Joe's relationship with his wife Caroline, his shifting role in the justice system (from defense attorney to district attorney and back), and the cumulative toll of his cases all develop from book to book. Starting with An Innocent Client gives you the full arc.
The Self-Publishing Story
Books 1–3 were published traditionally by Penguin/NAL. When publishers rejected Book 4, Scott Pratt self-published it on Amazon — and it became a bestseller. He went on to sell over seven million copies as an independent author, making him one of the most successful self-published thriller writers in history. The Joe Dillard series generated over $10 million in lifetime revenue, the vast majority from Amazon.
The Real Story Behind the Fiction
Joe Dillard is based significantly on Scott Pratt's own life. Like Joe, Pratt was a criminal defense attorney in Northeast Tennessee. Caroline Dillard's cancer battle mirrors Kristy Pratt's real-life fight with breast cancer. Many of the settings, characters, and moral dilemmas were drawn directly from Pratt's legal career and personal life. Scott dedicated every novel to Kristy with the same words: "This book, along with every book I've written and every book I'll write, is dedicated to my darling Kristy."
Who Readers Compare Him To
Readers and reviewers frequently compare the Joe Dillard series to works by John Grisham, Michael Connelly (the Lincoln Lawyer / Mickey Haller series), Lee Child (Jack Reacher), and David Baldacci. One Amazon reviewer put it this way: "When you mix John Grisham with Jack Reacher and a ton of heart, you end up with Joe Dillard." If you enjoy Southern legal thrillers, crime fiction set in Appalachia, or courtroom dramas with a strong male lead, the Joe Dillard series belongs on your list.
Where to Buy
The Joe Dillard series is available in hardback, paperback, ebook, and audiobook:
Direct from the author's store: scottprattfiction.com — individual paperbacks, a 3-book bundle ($34.99), and a 9-book bundle ($99.99).
Amazon: Available on Kindle, hardback, paperback, and audio. The series is frequently available on Kindle Unlimited.
Audiobooks: Available on Amazon and Audible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Joe Dillard books are there?
There are 11 Joe Dillard books as of 2026. Scott Pratt wrote the first 9 (An Innocent Client through Due Process). Books 10 and 11 (Last Resort and Vindicate) were co-written by his son, J.D. Pratt, after Scott's death in 2018. The series is ongoing.
What order should I read the Joe Dillard books?
Read them in publication order, starting with An Innocent Client (2008). The characters and storylines develop across the series, so reading in order gives you the full experience. See the complete list above.
Who writes the Joe Dillard books now?
After Scott Pratt's death in 2018, his son J.D. Pratt (pen name of Dylan Pratt — the initials stand for Joe Dillard) continues the series with professional co-writers. J.D. manages the literary estate through Phoenix Flying LLC.
Do I need to read the Joe Dillard books in order?
Yes, reading in order is strongly recommended. While each book contains a self-contained case, Joe Dillard's family life, his wife Caroline's health battle, and his moral arc all develop from book to book.
What is the newest Joe Dillard book?
The newest book is Vindicate (June 2025), the 11th book in the series and the first to feature Jack Dillard — Joe's son — as the protagonist. A Leon Bates spinoff series is also in development.
For a deeper look at Scott Pratt's life and legacy, visit our About Scott Pratt page. For the full series guide including all Scott Pratt works, see the Joe Dillard Series Guide.