The Private Eye: Travis McGee

By Russ Gifford

Continuing our look at the development of the uniquely American Private Detective novel.

As the 1960s dawned, the spy was in, and the private eye was out. But hard boiled PI's still populated the magazine rack, from Shell Scott to Mike Shayne, each with a tongue planted firmly in their cheek. Spy, sci-fi, and yes, comic books had come to dominate book spinners and magazine racks that once were the domain of hardboiled private eyes and westerns. Was there room for a serious private eye story?

Into this morass wandered Travis McGee - a lean, windburned, 6 foot something of a man who seemed to know his way around - but avoided getting too involved in the modern world that was being born in the post 1950s. The setting may be Florida instead of LA, but McGee was very much Sam Spade crossed with Philip Marlowe. Written by John D. MacDonald, the action is fast. McGee - and MacDonald - saw the go-go 1960s much as Hammett saw the roaring 1920s - a time filled with sucker traps. He never lacked for clients, as few people were paying attention until it was too late.

Join me as we follow the character and the stories Lee Child listed as the inspiration for his Jack Reacher character!