John D. MacDonald was a popular thriller and mystery writer. Best known for his character Travis McGee, MacDonald crafted exciting tales like The Deep Blue Good-by.
If you enjoy reading books by John D. MacDonald then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s detective fiction may find Ross Macdonald appealing as well. Ross Macdonald is best known for his private eye Lew Archer, featured in the novel The Chill .
In this story, Archer investigates the disappearance of a young woman on a college campus. The case quickly becomes complex as Archer uncovers a web of secrets involving family conflicts, hidden pasts, and long-hidden crimes.
Macdonald’s writing is sharp, insightful, and rich in psychological depth. Fans of nuanced mystery stories centered around private detectives will likely appreciate Ross Macdonald’s storytelling in The Chill .
If you enjoy John D. MacDonald’s detective novels with their tough, perceptive heroes and vivid settings, Raymond Chandler may become your new favorite.
Chandler is a master at gritty crime fiction that follows the iconic private investigator Philip Marlowe through dark Los Angeles streets filled with shady characters and complex mysteries.
In The Big Sleep, Marlowe takes on a seemingly simple job for General Sternwood, a wealthy aging client whose daughters have gotten mixed up in blackmail and gambling debts.
Soon the case becomes tangled with deceit and murder, pulling Marlowe deeper into the dangerous underworld of 1930s California.
Chandler’s prose is sharp, filled with witty dialogue and atmospheric descriptions that make you feel like you are right there beside Marlowe on every twist and turn.
Dashiell Hammett is a classic American crime author known for his sharp dialogue and gritty detective stories. Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee novels will appreciate Hammett’s tough and smart characters.
His book The Maltese Falcon is a detective thriller featuring private detective Sam Spade. After Spade’s partner ends up dead during a mysterious case, he gets pulled into a dangerous hunt for a priceless black statue.
Spade navigates a maze of lies, suspicious characters, and double-crosses, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Hammett’s punchy writing style and twisty plots make his novels addictive and unforgettable.
Books by Elmore Leonard offer the same vivid characters and sharp dialogue that fans of John D. MacDonald will appreciate. Leonard’s crime novels capture readers through tightly woven plots and lively narratives.
In Get Shorty, Leonard introduces Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark who heads out west to collect a debt. Palmer soon finds himself intrigued by Hollywood’s shady yet glamorous world, where movie producers and mobsters collide.
This witty novel blends crime, humor, and suspense in a way that’s instantly enjoyable. Anyone who enjoys the clear storytelling and complicated characters of MacDonald will find Leonard’s style equally satisfying.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s combination of tough detective fiction and engaging character development might find Robert B. Parker a welcome discovery.
Parker is famous for creating Spenser, a tough yet insightful Boston private eye featured in his popular novel The Godwulf Manuscript. In this story, Spenser investigates the theft of a rare medieval manuscript from a prestigious university.
As his search leads him through Boston’s academic circles and into the city’s darker underbelly, readers get a taste of Parker’s sharp dialogue, vivid scenes, and well-crafted mystery.
Those who appreciate thoughtful characters mixed with classic detective storytelling may find Parker’s work appealing.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s crime novels might also appreciate Lawrence Block’s work. Lawrence Block is known for his intriguing characters and sharp storytelling, especially in his classic crime series featuring private investigator Matthew Scudder.
In Eight Million Ways to Die, Scudder, a former detective battling personal demons, takes on a case involving a young woman mixed up in a dangerous world.
As the investigation unfolds across New York City’s darker streets, Scudder confronts moral ambiguities and hidden threats.
Block captures the gritty atmosphere of the city vividly and brings out the humanity and vulnerability of his protagonist, elements that fans of MacDonald’s Travis McGee series will certainly enjoy.
If you enjoy the crime fiction of John D. MacDonald, Donald E. Westlake is an author worth checking out. Westlake’s novels feature memorable characters, vivid dialogue, and clever plots that balance action with wry humor.
One of his best is The Hot Rock, where professional thief John Dortmunder ends up involved in a diamond heist that goes hilariously wrong.
Dortmunder and his crew have to repeatedly attempt stealing the same gem, with each caper becoming more inventive—and chaotic—than the last.
Westlake blends suspense, wit, and surprising twists into a uniquely entertaining crime story, perfect for fans who appreciate the storytelling style of MacDonald.
James M. Cain is a master of suspense and intrigue, known for hard-boiled crime fiction full of sharp dialogue and vivid characters. If you enjoy John D. MacDonald’s gritty and realistic style, you’ll likely appreciate Cain’s tense storytelling in novels like Double Indemnity.
The book dives straight into a dark plot between an insurance salesman and a cunning woman determined to murder her husband. Their plan is sinister, carefully detailed, and full of suspenseful twists that keep the tension high.
Cain’s direct prose and morally complex characters offer an engaging read for crime fiction enthusiasts.
If you enjoy John D. MacDonald’s complex, morally ambiguous characters and psychological suspense, you might want to try Jim Thompson. Known for his dark plots and sharp understanding of human nature, Thompson offers gritty stories wrapped around troubled characters.
In his novel The Killer Inside Me, he introduces Lou Ford, a small-town deputy sheriff who seems friendly and easy-going on the outside. Beneath this charming surface lies a disturbing and violent compulsion.
The story unfolds as Lou struggles to maintain his facade while darker impulses threaten to unravel his carefully constructed life. Thompson takes readers deep into a twisted mind, gradually revealing the bleak reality behind a seemingly ordinary man.
Charles Willeford was an author known for gritty crime fiction set against vivid Florida backdrops. If you’re a fan of John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee, Willeford’s Miami Blues might draw you in.
The book introduces Detective Hoke Moseley, a Miami police investigator with flawed charm and dry wit. Hoke clashes with Freddy Frenger, a charismatic yet deadly criminal fresh out of prison and new to town.
Their cat-and-mouse game unfolds through the seedy streets of 1980s Miami, filled with sharp dialogue, dark humor, and unexpected turns. Willeford paints a sharp, humorous snapshot of Miami’s underbelly through a detective who seems real and relatable.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s vivid crime novels might also appreciate Walter Mosley’s sharp storytelling and distinctive take on mystery fiction.
Mosley is best known for his Easy Rawlins series, set in post-war Los Angeles and woven with complex characters, memorable dialogue, and gritty plots.
In Devil in a Blue Dress, Easy Rawlins, an unemployed war veteran, finds himself caught up in a murky search for a mysterious woman.
This seemingly straightforward job soon plunges him into the darker side of L.A.'s politics, crime, and racial tensions, bringing sharp social commentary to the suspenseful investigation.
Mosley’s dialogue is snappy and authentic, his setting realistic, his characters flawed and fascinating. Fans of MacDonald’s Travis McGee will find a lot to like in Mosley’s richly drawn mysteries.
If you enjoy John D. MacDonald’s crime stories filled with suspenseful plots and tough characters, Ed McBain might be a great next choice for your reading list. McBain is known for his gritty police procedurals set in the fictional 87th Precinct.
A good place to start is Cop Hater , the first book in the series. Someone is targeting police officers in a rough part of town, and Detective Steve Carella must find out who before he or any more of his colleagues become victims.
The tense atmosphere and clear-eyed, realistic dialogue make it hard to put down. Ed McBain’s style is fast paced and satisfying, capturing the reader’s attention from the first page.
Michael Connelly is an author who delivers vivid, authentic mysteries and crime fiction. If you’re a fan of John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee novels, Connelly’s Harry Bosch series has many similar strengths.
In The Black Echo, readers follow Harry Bosch—an LAPD detective who trusts his own instincts and moral code. Bosch investigates the mysterious death of a fellow Vietnam war veteran, uncovering connections to an elaborate bank heist.
Connelly offers realistic dialogue, thought-provoking plots, and complex characters readers can relate to.
Books by Carl Hiaasen have a sense of humor and suspense that fans of John D. MacDonald might appreciate. In Skinny Dip, Hiaasen introduces Joey Perrone, whose husband tosses her overboard during their anniversary cruise.
Joey survives and teams up with an ex-cop named Mick Stranahan to find out why her husband wanted her dead. The novel mixes mystery, sharp wit, and quirky Florida characters, all set within the state’s lush environment.
Readers drawn to MacDonald’s Florida-based Travis McGee series could find themselves equally entertained by Hiaasen’s blend of eccentric characters and intriguing twists.
Chester Himes was an American author celebrated for gritty crime novels that vividly portrayed urban life and racial tensions. If you enjoy John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee series, you’ll connect with the raw intensity of Himes’ A Rage in Harlem.
This story follows Jackson, an overly trusting man, who becomes caught up in a complicated scheme involving fake gold and clever con artists. With his savings gone and trouble closing in fast, Jackson must navigate Harlem’s dangerous and lively streets to reclaim his lost money.
Himes brings to life Harlem’s atmosphere through sharp dialogue, humor, and unforgettable characters including detectives Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones.
Fans of crime stories that explore complex characters against vivid city backdrops will definitely appreciate Himes’ authentic style.