The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper


Book Description

From a beloved master of crime fiction, The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper is one of many classic novels featuring Travis McGee, the hard-boiled detective who lives on a houseboat. He had done a big favor for her husband, then for the lady herself. Now she’s dead, and Travis McGee finds that Helena Pearson Trescott had one last request of him: to find out why her beautiful daughter Maureen keeps trying to kill herself. But what can a devil-may-care beach bum do for a young troubled mind? McGee makes his way to the prosperous town of Fort Courtney, Florida, where he realizes pretty quickly that something’s just not right. Not only has Maureen’s doctor killed herself, but a string of murders and suicides are piling up—and no one seems to have any answers. Just when it seems that things can’t get any stranger, McGee becomes the lead suspect in the murder of a local nurse. As if Maureen didn’t have enough problems, the man on a mission to save her will have to save himself first—before time runs out. “The Travis McGee novels are among the finest works of fiction ever penned by an American author.”—Jonathan Kellerman Featuring a new Introduction by Lee Child













In a Plain Brown Wrapper


Book Description




The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper: Introduction by Lee Child


Book Description

The Travis McGee series by John D MacDonald - bestselling author and the inspiration behind a generation of crime writers - is one for fans of Lee Child, Michael Connelly and John Grisham not to miss. All of John D MacDonald's books are thoughtful and explore human nature often at its most venal and this book is no exception. You won't be able to put this down! 'MacDonald had a huge influence on me . . . Reacher is like a fully detached version of Travis McGee' -- LEE CHILD 'The great entertainer of our age, and a mesmerizing storyteller' -- STEPHEN KING 'To diggers a thousand years from now, the works of John D. MacDonald would be a treasure on the order of the tomb of Tutankhamen.' -- KURT VONNEGUT '. . . my favorite novelist of all time' -- DEAN KOONTZ 'Great read with a plot that keeps you hooked to the end. Loved it!!!!' -- ***** Reader review 'Powerful story, intriguing plot, highly recommended' -- ***** Reader review 'Prepare to read it in one sitting - too good to put down' -- ***** Reader review 'Essential reading for mystery buffs' -- ***** Reader review *********************************************************** Travis McGee isn't your typical knight in shining armour. He only works when his cash runs out, and his rule is simple: He'll help you find whatever was taken from you, as long as he can keep half. When Travis McGee enters the prosperous town of Fort Courtney he quickly realises that something's not quite right. Here to rescue the suicidal daughter of a deceased friend, Travis is shocked by the string of murders and suicides that is taking over the town. Then, just when it seems that things can't get any stranger, Travis becomes the lead suspect in the murder of a local nurse. To save the young woman, he's going to have to save himself first . . . First published in 1968, The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper features an introduction by Lee Child *********************************************************************************************** Further Praise for the Travis McGee series: 'The consummate pro, a master storyteller and witty observer . . . The Travis McGee novels are among the finest works of fiction ever penned by an American author and they retain a remarkable sense of freshness' - Jonathan Kellerman 'Travis McGee is my favourite fiction detective. He's great because he has a philosophical side - he will fight a bunch of mobsters in a car park and then have a muse about life, the universe and everything' - Tony Parsons 'A dominant influence on writers crafting the continuing series character . . . I envy the generation of readers just discovering Travis McGee' - Sue Grafton 'A master storyteller, a masterful suspense writer . . . John D. MacDonald is a shining example for all of us in the field' - Mary Higgins Clark 'What a joy that these timeless and treasured novels are available again' - Ed McBain 'There's only one thing as good as reading a John D. MacDonald novel: reading it again . . . He is the all-time master of the American mystery novel' - John Saul







Of Sex and Faerie: Further Essays on Genre Fiction


Book Description

Taking up where the author's book Of Modern Dragons (2007) left off, these essays continue Lennard's investigation of the praxis of serial reading and the best genre fiction of recent decades, including work by Bill James, Walter Mosley, Lois Mcmaster Bujold, and Ursula K. Le Guin. There are groundbreaking studies of contemporary paranormal romance, and of Hornblower's transition to space, while the final essay deals with the phenomenon and explosive growth of fanfiction, and with the increasingly empowered status of the reader in a digital world. There is an extensive bibliography of genre and critical work, with eight illustrations and many hyperlinks.




The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything


Book Description

From John D. MacDonald, one of the enduring American novelists of the twentieth century, comes a science fiction classic with a timeless premise. An aimless young man discovers a way to stop the world in its tracks—and that’s when his life truly begins. Introduction by Dean Koontz Once an ordinary math teacher, Omar Krepps developed a knack for gambling, amassed a fabulous fortune, and spent the rest of his life traveling the world and giving away his millions. Upon his death, however, Krepps bequeaths nothing to his nephew and only living blood relative, Kirby Winter—nothing, that is, except an antique watch and a sealed letter to be opened after one year. But Kirby has much more in his possession than he realizes. The watch has the power to manipulate time. Not only does this revelation shed light on the mystery of his uncle’s life, it puts Kirby on the path to unimaginable wealth and a new lease on love . . . as well as a whole host of deadly troubles. Even in a universe where time is no issue, Kirby must tread carefully to stay one step ahead of danger. Praise for John D. MacDonald “To diggers a thousand years from now, the works of John D. MacDonald would be a treasure on the order of the tomb of Tutankhamen.”—Kurt Vonnegut “As a young writer, all I ever wanted was to touch readers as powerfully as John D. MacDonald touched me.”—Dean Koontz “John D. MacDonald was a writer way ahead of his time.”—John Saul




The Beach Girls


Book Description

The Beach Girls, one of many classic novels from crime writer John D. MacDonald, the beloved author of Cape Fear and the Travis McGee series, is now available as an eBook. Sure, Leo Rice seems like a nice enough guy . . . but why does he have to choose their beach? He could head ten miles up the Florida strip and everyone could just live happily ever after—no questions asked. But Leo Rice does ask questions . . . and suddenly Stebbins’ Marina, an oasis of easy living, hard drinking, and free love for its residents, is in jeopardy. And in less than a month, their paradise will be interrupted by twisted emotions, buried hatreds—and brutal murder. Features a new Introduction by Dean Koontz Praise for John D. MacDonald “The great entertainer of our age, and a mesmerizing storyteller.”—Stephen King “My favorite novelist of all time.”—Dean Koontz “To diggers a thousand years from now, the works of John D. MacDonald would be a treasure on the order of the tomb of Tutankhamen.”—Kurt Vonnegut “A master storyteller, a masterful suspense writer . . . John D. MacDonald is a shining example for all of us in the field. Talk about the best.”—Mary Higgins Clark