The 21 travis mcgee books have been an inspiration to me. Which then reminds me of robert crais elvis cole and joe pike books. Connoisseurs of detective fiction generally consider it a tossup in quality between the two bestselling macdonalds john d. Apr 23, 2016 8 crime fiction characters from florida. He was born in sharon, pennsylvania but later moved out to europe on his quest for adventure and photography. I first met travis mcgee while i was working on one of those big cruise ships. The chronology of the travis mcgee novels the trap of solid. See the complete travis mcgee series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles.
The ninth account of travis mcgee, pale gray for guilt, published in 1968, ended with the death from a brain tumor of puss killian, one of those broken young women nursed back. Years ago i read a series of books that, for want of a better word, i call adventure fiction. The series owes a lot to the mcgee books while also covering new ground, and the offthegrid. Macdonald when you shop the largest online selection at. Macdonald bibliography 2 short stories at hardboiled site comprehensive bibliographies by vladimir john d. Travis mcgee books in order publication order of travis mcgee books. To continue reading, get the full word biography in john d macdonald books in order. Travis mcgee, an errant detective created in 1964 by john d. Macdonald author lee child author of introduction, etc. John macdonald has created a wonderful character in travis mcgee. Each book in the series is a whole story with a beginning and an ending, however there are references to prior stories in the series.
The books started with the deep blue goodby in 1964 and ended with the lonely silver rain in 1984. Macdonalds books you need the most comprehensive book list available, which includes a check list, alternative titles, page counts, movie adaptations, coauthors, star ratings, and a host of other features, plus. I just finished a 12 hour shift and was looking for something to take back to my cabin to wind down with. Travis mcgees permanent address is the busted flush, slip f18, bahia mar, lauderdale, and there isnt a hell of a lot that compels him to leave it. The deep blue goodbye 1964 a purple place for dying 1964 the quick red fox 1964 a deadly shade of gold 1965 darker than amber 1966 one fearful yellow eye 1966. From a beloved master of crime fiction, nightmare in pink is one of many classic novels featuring travis mcgee, the hardboiled detective who lives on a houseboat. Mar 17, 1985 the ninth account of travis mcgee, pale gray for guilt, published in 1968, ended with the death from a brain tumor of puss killian, one of those broken young women nursed back in pusss case. There were plans to give travis mcgee a television show but macdonald rejected the idea because he thought it would harm the sales of his books. Mcgee is neither a police officer nor a private investigator.
Except maybe a call from an old army buddy who needs a favor. Some of traviss best tales went untold in this, travis mcgee is much like flashman. From a beloved master of crime fiction, the deep blue goodby is one of many classic novels featuring travis mcgee, the hardboiled detective who lives on a houseboat. Hes rough around the edges, a womaniser like flemings commander bond, a. He is the protagonist of 21 wonderful books written by the late author, john d. Series was designed to cover groups of books generally understood as. Like someone posted above, lee childs reacher is top shelf. Macdonalds travis mcgee books, i would say that the deep blue goodby is the best way to meet the greatest character of the detectivestory genre. I am not selling these books this is just a reference list. Mcgee appeared in 21 novels, from the deep blue goodby in 1964 to the lonely silver rain in 1984. The complete series list for a travis mcgee novel john d. Similar to the travis mcgee books but without the money element.
Many of his stories are set in florida, making him probably the most prolific of all florida authors. So, if youve ever wanted the travis mcgee novels in order, here they are. Its kind of like coming into the discworld novels with the hogfather, theres. Macdonald before travis mcgee, the travis mcgee series made john d. A less obvious pick is earl emersons early thomas black series. To be fair, though, its probably best to keep the books in their proper social context. Macdonald famous, but the books he churned out earlier were darkerand better.
Macdonald wrote is better loved and more enduring than the 21 books in his series about travis mcgee, the floridabased salvage consultant who recovers property for a fee so he can take his retirement a piece at a time. I remember reading as much in a 1975 interview with macdonald, and stephen king has stated that before macdonalds death he had discussed with king the. Buy a cheap copy of the deep blue goodbye book by john d. From a beloved master of crime fiction, the lonely silver rain is one of many classic novels featuring travis mcgee, the hardboiled detective who lives on a houseboat. The travis mcgee books have been brought to life in the form of a cinematic adaptation called darker than amber released in 1970 and a television movie called the empty copper sea released in 1983. Macdonald 191686 travis mcgee is the last of the great knightserrant. Post by scott a couple weeks ago, a wanted man by lee child came out. Travis mcgee s permanent address is the busted flush, slip f18, bahia mar, lauderdale, and there isnt a hell of a lot that compels him to leave it. Macdonald is very highly regarded by his fellow authors, including dean koontz and stephen king. Fox would like to make a franchise out of mcdonalds 21 novels and so far travis mcgee has been worked on since 2001, with directors such as oliver stone and paul greengrass tipped to take on the project. Travis mcgee has luck to thank for his reputation as a firstrate salvager of stolen boats. Hes all things you want in your hero, handsome, well built, trust worthy, and most importantly, interested in people. Travis mcgee s old football buddy tush bannon is resisting pressure to sell off his floundering motel and marina to a group of influential movers and shakers.
In 1980 he won the american book award for his travis mcgee mystery the green ripper. By now, most fans have devoured it, looking for their next fix. Most notable of the florida books are his travis mcgee series. Macdonald from the worlds largest community of readers. My mom was a big travis mcgee fan, but shes no longer around for me to. If you like a little darker, the harry hole series by jo nesbo is very good. Reacher is like a fully detached version of travis mcgee lee child travis mcgee isnt your typical knight in shining armour. For fellow michael connelly fans who should i turn to.
Macdonalds travis mcgee series and its influences on his work. I used to wonder what my fatherinlaw, a voracious mystery reader, found appealing about these books. He told me once that he sometimes judged his books by percentages. Jan 10, 2012 i feel like a bunch of these suggestions have protagonists that are a little too grim and gritty im not sure what your dad likes in that department, but what i remember about the travis mcgee series is the essential good humor and peopleliking nature of the protagonist and his associates and the way stuff turns out basically ok at the end. Homage to travis mcgee home doug johnsons blue skunk blog. The book series started in the early 60s before most of us were even born and ended only with the authors. If you enjoy modern crime series sue graftons kinsey milhone books, for instance and want to try something harderedged, then the travis mcgee books are a great find.
Id second the travis mcgee books, too, though they are a bit dated. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the turquoise lament. Some are more obvious than others, and of course anyone who shows any concern for the environment or writes about florida is going to be tagged as owing macdonald a. Either from mcgee books ive not noted here or others of his work. Mcgee is brought to the midwest by mona yeoman, who suspects that her husband has pilfered her trust fund, and she wants a divorce. He only works when his cash runs out, and his rule is simple. Travis mcgee is a character who can make the reader feel like they are on his journey with him. John d macdonald was an american author of science fiction, fantasy, mystery and thriller books best known for his travis mcgee series.
Macdonald includes books the deep blue goodbye, nightmare in pink, purple place for dying, and several more. I guess it says something about the ongoing appeal of jdm s travis mcgee that so many writers have been inspired to create travis like heroes themselves. The mcgee books are early 60s timepieces the heros hefnerlike, paternal attitude towards women in the same way that spillanes books represent a certain kind of attitude paranoid, racist, homophobic from the 50s. Macdonald 19161986 was an american author who was best known for crime and suspense novels, including the popular travis mcgee novels. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading a purple place for dying. Travis mcgee, an adventurer, philosopher, and salvage consultant who does unofficial favors for friends, in fort lauderdale, florida. Travis mcgee you see, travis is much more than a movie character aptly and sexily played by sam elliottt. While there have been many writers who have tried the invincible loner hero thing, after you. Like harper lee, whose sequel to mockingbird was known by some friends to have existed, at least at one time, macdonald, too, was rumored to have a final travis mcgee novel under lock and key. A travis mcgee novel kindle edition by macdonald, john d.
Travis mcgee is a selfdescribed beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. Have you tried stephen greenleafs john marshall tanner books. This john d macdonald book list not only gives all the john d macdonald books in chronological order, but lets you see the characters develop and witness events at the correct time, just as john intended. For that kind of friend, travis mcgee will travel almost anywhere, even new york. The mcgee books are early 60s timepieces the heros hefnerlike, paternal attitude towards women in the same way that spillanes books represent a certain. I went to the crew library, a small room with a couple of bookshelves that contained old, beatup books and board games that were missing pieces. In 1980, the mcgee novel the green ripper won a national. Helm is a blackops agent for a shadowy government agency. Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide. Mcgee is not a cop or a private investigator, but rather a professional salvage consultant who finds other peoples property when he runs low on spare cash. He lives in south florida aboard a houseboat he won in a poker game. Like travis mcgee, but more completely, helm is a voice, an ongoing voicing.
The dreadful lemon sky, the empty copper sea, free fall in crimson, the green ripper, a tan and sandy silence. Jdm hints back at this adventure, and a few others, throughout the series. I know they are classic and many readers of connelly recommend them as similar. Macdonalds travis mcgee novels with links to all are available in paperback as of march 1999. From a beloved master of crime fiction, the deep blue goodby is one of many classic novels featuring travis mcgee, the hardboiled detective who lives on a. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Here are five series characters who can get you through to the next book travis mcgee created by john d. Its more a similarity in tone and setting, but i found it a good follow up to the travis mcgee books. Purple place for dying is the third book in john macdonalds travis mcgee series, and mcgee comes upon his most troubling experience yet. In 1962 macdonald was named a grand master of the mystery writers of america. Apr 06, 2015 the chronology of the travis mcgee novels. Not only do i reveal it, i recommend which you should read if youre just starting out.
A favorite character who i grew up reading was travis mcgee, written by john d. The wikipedia article travis mcgee has lots more information. Celebrating mystery fiction master macdonald bbc news. His eyes peering curiously upward through hornrims as if he were pondering a giant sculpture of travis mcgee. Ninetynine out of 100 men like him were taking their harvard mbas to general.
John d macdonald wrote 78 novels and almost 500 short stories. However, the real reason to watch travis mcgee as now showing on cable and satellite on the mystery channel is to discover. Macdonald was an american novelist and shortstory writer. I have studied the jack reacher series and set up a great blog so that people know what other books there are out there which are like jack reacher. Dec 24, 20 the one travis mcgee i would love to see would be the prequel. There are no books that are directly similar, because lee child is the top thriller writer currently writing, with a unique style and approach to story. In 1980, the mcgee novel the green ripper won a national book award in a oneyear mystery category.
This was the first novel that introduced travis mcgee to the world. Order of travis mcgee books travis mcgee is a creation of prolific american novelist john d. His works include the travis mcgee series and the novel the executioners, which was adapted into the film cape fear. Macdonald and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The dreadful lemon sky, the empty copper sea, free fall in crimson. Mcgee s job is to find out what happened to the money. Macdonald didnt like cape fear, the 1962 film of the.