D. Gold

John Dann MacDonald, born in 1916, was a highly successful American author renowned for his crime and suspense novels, many of which were set in Florida. He penned over forty standalone novels and a celebrated series featuring the character Travis McGee. MacDonald's prolific output resulted in an estimated 70 million books sold. His work gained significant recognition, with his 1957 novel 'The Executioners' famously adapted twice as the film 'Cape Fear'.

MacDonald's background included business studies at Wharton and Harvard, and military service during World War II in the China-Burma-India Theater, experiences that informed his writing. He began his writing career selling numerous short stories to pulp magazines before transitioning to novels. The Travis McGee series, which began in 1964 with 'The Deep Blue Good-by', comprised 21 books, each identified by a color in its title. These novels often explored themes of salvage, corruption, and a hedonistic lifestyle, with McGee operating from his houseboat. MacDonald passed away in 1986, leaving a significant literary legacy.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1916, John Dann MacDonald's early life saw his family move to New York. A pivotal trip to Europe in his youth sparked an interest in travel and photography. He attended the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School but left early, later enrolling at Syracuse University where he met his wife, Dorothy. MacDonald also pursued a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University, an education that influenced his later fiction, often featuring business or financial dealings. His military service during World War II took him to the China-Burma-India Theater, an experience reflected in some of his early writing.

MacDonald's writing career commenced with short stories published in pulp magazines, eventually selling nearly 500 such pieces. Following his military discharge, he dedicated himself to writing, producing a vast amount of material. He then moved on to novels, starting with 'The Brass Cupcake' in 1950. He became known for over forty standalone crime thrillers and domestic dramas, many set in Florida. His most famous creation is the Travis McGee series, which began in 1964. These 21 novels, each with a color in the title, feature McGee, a 'salvage consultant' operating from his houseboat, often dealing with complex schemes and corruption. MacDonald's prolific output and engaging storytelling earned him widespread success and critical acclaim, including the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award.

John D. MacDonald's novel 'The Executioners' (1957) achieved significant recognition through its two film adaptations, 'Cape Fear' (1962 and 1991). The Travis McGee series, comprising 21 books like 'The Deep Blue Good-by' (1964), became a cornerstone of his career. Other novels were also adapted for film and television, including 'Darker Than Amber' (filmed in 1970), 'Linda' (filmed twice for television), and 'The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything' (adapted for TV in 1980). Despite the success of these adaptations, some, like the Travis McGee TV film 'Travis McGee' (1983), altered key elements of the original stories, such as relocating settings.

“the great entertainer of our age, and a mesmerizing storyteller.”

“is by any standards a better writer than Saul Bellow, only MacDonald writes thrillers and Bellow is a human-heart chap, so guess who wears the top-grade laurels.”