Authors > John D. MacDonald

From 1946 to the end of the pulp era in 1952, John D. MacDonald authored hundreds of stories across all genres. His stories were incredibly popular with editors requesting him to publish under various pen names so that he could have more than one story published per pulp magazine issue. This prolific writing period allowed MacDonald to quickly develop his writing style and refine his skills in the mystery and suspense genres.

During the 1950s, John D. authored a number of stand alone novels for the emerging Paperback Original marketplace. His most famous work, The Executioners aka Cape Fear was a best seller and twice made into a successful film.

In the early 1960s, he carefully considered if he wanted to devote himself to writing a long running series. He sat down and wrote four novels at the same time, trying out ideas and seeing if he was comfortable with where he could go with the characters. Pleased with the efforts he sent the manuscripts out.

In 1964, the first four Travis McGee stories were published, with four more coming quickly in 1966 and 1967. The McGee best selling series became wildly successful and continues to attract new fans today. McGee has his roots in the tough guy, hardboiled detective genre but he also has the intelligent, calculating smarts required for a modern day "Salvage Consultant". Not quite a private investigator, but he's someone you turn to when you need a wrong to be righted or a murder to be avenged.

Told in the first person style, the Travis McGee stories provides a time capsule into past historical eras without being dated and plenty of thoughtful social commentary. Add the Travis McGee stories to your reading list.

"John D. MacDonald was the great entertainer of our age, and a mesmerizing storyteller." -- Stephen King

"As a young writer, all I ever wanted was to touch readers as powerfully as John D. MacDonald touched me." -- Dean Koontz

"John D. MacDonald created a staggering quantity of wonderful books, each rich with characterization, suspense, and an almost intoxicating sense of place."--Jonathan Kellerman

"John D. MacDonald is a shining example for all us in the field. Talk about the best."--Mary Higgins Clark

"Travis McGee is the last of the great knights-errant: honorable, sensual, skillful, and tough. I can't think of anyone who has replaced him. I can't think of anyone who would dare."--Donald Westlake

"To diggers a thousand years from now, the works of John D. MacDonald would be a treasure on the order of the tomb of Tutankhamen."--Kurt Vonnegut