For fans of crime novels, John D. MacDonald is a must-read. The Travis McGee series is especially popular. These stories unfold in Florida and present a protagonist with moral ambiguity.
If you like to read authors with a similar style and who investigate related subjects, this list might interest you.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee series may want to explore Ross Macdonald’s Lew Archer novels. Ross Macdonald is known for his complex mysteries and vivid characters set in mid-20th-century California.
His book “The Chill” follows private detective Lew Archer as he’s hired to locate a missing bride, a case that initially appears straightforward but soon reveals dark family secrets stretching over decades.
Archer’s investigation uncovers old crimes, hidden identities, and the lasting effects of past tragedies. Macdonald’s strong storytelling, careful plotting, and psychological depth will appeal to those who appreciate nuanced mysteries by authors like John D. MacDonald.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s gritty crime fiction will likely appreciate the work of Lawrence Block. Block has a similar talent for crafting realistic characters and tense, believable suspense.
His novel “The Sins of the Fathers” introduces Matthew Scudder, a tough ex-cop turned unlicensed investigator. Scudder explores the seedier side of New York City to unravel the truth behind the violent murder of a young woman.
His exploration leads him into the troubled lives of ordinary people caught in desperate situations. Much of the novel’s draw comes from its emotional depth and the footprints crime leaves on those involved.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and strong sense of place might appreciate Elmore Leonard. Leonard’s crime novels offer similar vivid storytelling and gritty realism.
A great place to start is “Rum Punch,” a novel set in Florida that introduces readers to Jackie Burke, a flight attendant caught between the law and dangerous criminals after getting involved in smuggling cash.
Tight plotting, rich dialogue, and an array of unconventional characters bring this novel to life with tension and wit. Fans of MacDonald’s Travis McGee series will find plenty to enjoy here.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s crisp storytelling and gritty noir mysteries will likely appreciate Raymond Chandler’s classic detective novels. Chandler’s writing is known for sharp dialogue, vivid characters, and dark, atmospheric scenes.
A great place to start is with “The Big Sleep,” featuring private investigator Philip Marlowe. Marlowe takes on a seemingly routine case at the request of the wealthy, frail General Sternwood, who is being blackmailed.
Soon he finds himself drawn into a tangled web involving Sternwood’s wild daughters, dangerous criminals, and hidden family secrets. With twists, glamour, and plenty of suspense, it’s a noir classic that keeps readers hooked until the last page.
Books by Dashiell Hammett offer crisp storytelling and hard-boiled detective mysteries that fans of John D. MacDonald would appreciate. Hammett was a former detective himself, and his firsthand knowledge gave his novels an authentic feel.
His famous book “The Maltese Falcon” follows private investigator Sam Spade as he navigates through deception, greed, and shady characters in pursuit of a rare, jewel-covered statue. The narrative is tight, sharp, and filled with memorable dialogue.
Anyone who enjoys MacDonald’s clear, straightforward approach and his talent for unwrapping crime stories would likely find Hammett’s work equally satisfying.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s skill at building suspense and strong characters might find Robert B. Parker equally appealing. Parker is best known for his detective fiction featuring Spenser, a tough and witty private investigator.
In the book “Early Autumn,” Spenser takes on a case that starts with a routine custody battle, then soon spirals into something more dangerous.
As Spenser protects his young client, Paul Giacomin, he becomes a mentor figure, teaching the boy self-defense, responsibility, and courage.
Parker combines sharp dialogue, engaging plots, and well-crafted characters in a style that fans of MacDonald’s Travis McGee novels are likely to appreciate.
James W. Hall is an author thriller readers often enjoy if they’re fans of John D. MacDonald. His novel “Under Cover of Daylight” introduces Thorn—a laid-back fisherman with a complicated past—who would prefer a quiet life in the Florida Keys.
However, when he’s drawn into investigating his parents’ mysterious deaths, Thorn discovers dangerous secrets linked to powerful figures.
Hall weaves suspense with vivid Florida settings, memorable characters, and plots full of atmospheric tension reminiscent of MacDonald’s Travis McGee series.
If you appreciate stories that combine thoughtful storytelling with gripping scenes of intrigue, James W. Hall could quickly become a favorite.
Books by Tony Hillerman offer mysteries set against the backdrop of Navajo culture and landscapes of the American Southwest. If you enjoy John D. MacDonald’s vivid characters and atmospheric settings, Hillerman’s “Dance Hall of the Dead” could be a great find.
This novel follows Lt. Joe Leaphorn as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of two teenagers from different tribal backgrounds.
The deeper Leaphorn searches across Navajo and Zuni territories, the more complex this case becomes, revealing tensions between traditions, beliefs, and modern influences.
Hillerman brings Navajo customs, beliefs, and the stark beauty of the Southwest deserts to life through engaging storytelling.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s Florida-based mysteries could find Carl Hiaasen equally entertaining. Hiaasen is known for his sharp wit and humorous approach to crime fiction, often set in the chaotic, environmentally-threatened landscapes of South Florida.
His novel “Tourist Season” is a smart, satirical story about a newspaper reporter turned private investigator named Brian Keyes.
He’s drawn into a strange series of murders targeting Florida tourists, crimes committed by an offbeat group determined to scare outsiders away, in an attempt to save their beloved state from commercialization and overdevelopment.
The book, packed with humor, vivid characters, and clever twists, captures Hiaasen’s distinctive style and provides an intriguing glimpse into Florida’s darkly funny underside.
If you enjoy John D. MacDonald’s sharp storytelling and noir atmosphere, Donald E. Westlake could be a great discovery. Westlake is best known for his crime novels filled with quick dialogue and flawed, memorable characters.
In his novel “The Hunter,” we’re introduced to Parker, a no-nonsense, tough criminal who is betrayed and left for dead by his partners after a heist. Parker survives and sets out methodically for revenge, confronting double-crosses, tense showdowns, and unexpected twists.
The pacing is tight, and the gritty world Westlake creates through Parker’s eyes keeps you hooked page after page.
Books by Ed McBain would appeal to readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s crime fiction. McBain writes gritty detective novels set in a fictional precinct known as the 87th Precinct. His book “Cop Hater” opens with the brutal murder of a police officer on patrol.
Detective Steve Carella and his fellow officers hunt a dangerous killer who targets cops in their city. McBain’s dialogue is sharp, and his plotting tight. He creates realistic characters and believable scenes of police investigation.
Anyone who appreciates MacDonald’s tough, realistic storytelling might find themselves engaged by McBain’s writing.
Travis McGee series (by various authors inspired by MacDonald) continues the adventures of the iconic Florida-based “salvage consultant,” Travis McGee, originally created by John D. MacDonald.
These newer installments maintain the gritty realism and thoughtful insight that defined MacDonald’s classics. For instance, “The Deep Blue Alibi” by Paul Levine revives the vivid Florida setting and complex intrigue of the McGee tradition.
In this novel, lawyer Jake Lassiter is pulled into a murder investigation linked to wealth, power, and deceit in the sunny, deceptively calm Florida Keys.
Fans of MacDonald’s series will appreciate how Levine captures both atmosphere and character, especially through cleverly plotted suspense and thoughtful dialogue that echoes Travis McGee’s timeless appeal.
Michael Connelly is an author known for crime novels with strong characters and intricate plots, qualities readers of John D. MacDonald will appreciate. A great place to begin is his novel “The Lincoln Lawyer.”
The story centers on Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who works out of his car, a Lincoln Town Car. Haller defends a wealthy client accused of assault, only to realize the case isn’t as straightforward as it seems.
Full of believable dialogue and twists that come naturally from the plot, this book provides satisfying drama from start to finish.
Readers who enjoy John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee series will appreciate Randy Wayne White’s Doc Ford novels. White creates engaging adventures set in the atmosphere of Florida’s coastal communities, featuring marine biologist and former intelligence operative Doc Ford.
In “Sanibel Flats,” Doc Ford returns to his old life after years abroad, hoping for quiet and normalcy. But soon he gets pulled into dangerous waters when his friend is murdered, and the friend’s son is kidnapped.
Ford must navigate a web of conspiracy, violence, and hidden motives to uncover the truth. The story combines intriguing characters, coastal Florida settings, and suspenseful action that will keep readers turning pages.
Stuart Woods is a popular author whose stories mix suspense and mystery in a style similar to John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee novels. His book “New York Dead” introduces detective Stone Barrington.
After seeing a woman fall from a building, Barrington, an NYPD detective, dives into a twisted case filled with secrets, powerful figures, and unexpected turns.
The story keeps readers turning pages as the stakes rise, and Barrington’s own life becomes tangled in the dangerous puzzle.
Readers who enjoy MacDonald’s combination of tough investigations and smart characters will likely appreciate Woods’ fast-paced storytelling and sharp dialogue.