MacDonald, John D. (1916-1986), was an American mystery writer best known for his 21 novels featuring Travis McGee, an amateur detective. He wrote more than 65 novels and over 500 short stories.
The first McGee novel was The Deep Blue Good-By (1964). McGee lives off the coast of Florida on a houseboat called The Busted Flush. He calls himself a “salvage consultant,” but his real business is rescuing people from various kinds of trouble and recovering lost or stolen money. McGee is tough and cynical, but also sensitive and moral, and has a strong sense of honor. MacDonald used the character of McGee to expose the corruption that the author saw in modern American life. Typical McGee novels include The Dreadful Lemon Sky (1975) and Free Fall in Crimson (1981).
MacDonald’s other works also show his skill as a mystery writer. Among his suspenseful thrillers are The Executioners (1958), The Last One Left (1967), and Condominium (1977). John Dann MacDonald was born on July 24, 1916, in Sharon, Pennsylvania. He died on Dec. 28, 1986.
