John D. MacDonald Books In Order

Publication Order of Travis McGee Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Masters of Noir Books

Publication Order of Short Story Anthologies

Publication Order of Anthologies

John D MacDonald was an American author of science fiction, fantasy, mystery and thriller books best known for his Travis McGee series. He was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania but later moved out to Europe on his quest for adventure and photography. He studied at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Syracuse, and Harvard University. John also happened to serve in the military during the world war two.

John D MacDonald’s writing career started with the first publication that was submitted by his wife to the Esquire while he still was serving in the military. From writing short stories, John has managed to come up with several other novels and is accredited for his series Travis McGee. He has received numerous awards for his writing among them the 1980 U.S National Book Award.

The Deep Blue Good

The Deep Blue Good is the first piece in his Travis McGee series. This is the story of McGee who lives wary of credit cards, political parties, retirement benefits, television, and mortgages. His is an individual who lives for the moment where he makes money when there is a need for the same.
John introduces an antagonism between Travis and junior Allen. Allen has animalistic lust when it comes to power, but Travis is an idealist which creates a great difference between these two characters. McGee is out to help a friend recover some lost fortune while Allen is out hoarding for gold. Trevor is requested by his current lady to offer a helping hand to her girlfriend. Her father had been sentenced for moving valuables during the world war period from an area of combat.

Then, Allen realizes that there is some treasure somewhere and motivated by greed and malice closes in on the girl and takes everything away from her. What is worse is the fact that he goes out to cripple her beyond the point that she was before he took advantage of her where he takes advantage of her desperation and benefits on the girl’s treasures. Trevor comes in to correct the mess that had been created and the antagonism between the two characters is well seen as the two moves out to fulfil their missions which are entirely different from each other. It does not go smoothly for McGee as along the way he experiences numerous problems and surprises that almost make it impossible to achieve his goal. Though Travis lives a free life, he seems to have a caring heart towards such instances.

John D MacDonald has a great way of showcasing the characters of his story and mainly how he puts different characters on board and create one incredible piece.

Nightmare in Pink

Nightmare in Pink is the second piece in the Travis McGee Series. Trevor is not a policeman neither is he a private detective but a salvage consultant who lives on a boat. He has a simple life where he looks for money only when he needs it and then he proceeds to enjoy what he has earned until it is finished.
McGee has his operational base as, but he now decides to leave for New York. While Travis was in service, he had a friend by the name Mike who also had a small sister who is now a grown lady. Things have gone south for Mike’s sister after her husband is killed in a mugging. It is as a result of this tragic happening that he is called in from Florida. The mugging looks just like any other until something unusual happens. They find a considerable amount of money in cash in their apartment after his killing. Facts seem to point to the possibility of embezzlement happening before his death.

A series of events follow these incidences pointing instances of conspiracy, action, and romance in the course of the story. Though Travis is being led by guilt after what happened to his friend Mike, he still is after unravelling a mass of evils that he discovers has been going on in the city. The deeper he goes, the more he finds about the rot that has gripped the community which also does endanger his life.

The author is good at exposing many evils that happen in the society in the form of a narrative. His plot of things seems to depict what happens in the current society by a huge extent.

A Purple Place for Dying

A Purple Place for Dying is the third instalment in his Travis McGee Series. Travis has been called into Arizona by a beautiful lady to assist in a case that involves recovering some money that has been stolen by a guy who she is supposed to be divorcing. Things, however, go sour as she dies before Travis can fully help her fulfil her wish. This, however, does not stop him as he continues with his mission despite her absence.

McGee is pushed by the fact that he got pissed by the shooting of his potential client and not even due to the money. After she is shot, he rushes to the police to report the case, and on coming back, he finds nobody at the scene, something that angers him and pushes him into the quest for justice for the slain client. It’s a journey filled with instances of relationships gone awry, small towns intrigue, and other surprises that come in to complicate his quest. Along the story, McGee brings out a lot about women and the nature of human beings.

He joins efforts with the police as they try to connect the facts and get to the reason for this killing, the case he had been called on and the disappearance of his client’s body. It is an exciting story with a turn of events that are suspenseful and frightening at some points.

It’s a storyline that has been well planned putting events in such a way that the reader can follow along smoothly. His description of characters is one that is vivid and well-fit to make an incredible story.

5 Responses to “John D. MacDonald”

1. Jane Carter: 3 years ago

   My dad knew John, and I was just a child, so did not pay attention to the stories they used to talk about. They would sit on our boat in Bahia Mar, and tell wonderful stories, and I wish that my brother and I had paid attention to them back then. I have collected about one third of all his books and am on the trail of more.
   So if anybody wants to sell/give/donate any, we will be very happy.
   I put in my email here, so that anybody here can contact us.
   Thank you,
   Jane

   Reply
   • Judy Hutchings: 2 years ago

     Hello, I do have some of his books that my husband collected. If you are still looking, let me know which ones you need.

     Reply
     • Jane Carter: 2 years ago

       I found an old friend, who had his entire collection. He lent them to us, and I am keeping them in a temperature controlled room in our house for him.

       Reply
2. Gem: 3 years ago

   I recently read a Patterson articular and he said you were a very good written and he had learned a lot from your books. So if it’s good enough for James Patterson it’s good reading. I can’t wait til I get my book in.
   Gem

   Reply
3. Mark McGhee Sr: 3 years ago

   I have read every novel but one and numerous short stories and he is by far one of the greatest authors of all time. It is very difficult to put one down without finishing it in short fashion

   Reply