Often, those new to Sarasota are looking for local authors. Here are a few of our favorite Florida mystery authors to start you on your discovery of the mysteries in the Sunshine State.
Randy Wayne White lives down the road on Sanibel Island. This year he was selected for the Florida Humanities Council’s Lifetime Achievement award. He is the author of the bestselling Doc Ford and Hannah Smith novels. In Salt River, the sins of the past come back to haunt Doc Ford and his old friend Tomlinson
You can’t talk about Florida authors without thinking of Carl Hiaasen. Born and raised in Florida, he writes a column for The Miami Herald. Hiaasen began writing novels in early 1980s, and has produced a steady stream of wacky mysteries that make you wonder about our beloved state. In Razor Girl, a lovable con woman and a disgraced detective team up to find a redneck reality TV star in this raucous and razor-sharp tale.
John D. MacDonald moved to Sarasota in 1951 and lived here until his death in 1986. He is a renowned mystery author, known especially for his Travis McGee series. He was a prolific author of crime and suspense novels, many of them set in his adopted home of Florida. And in Sarasota, he is a local legend. The Deep Blue Good-by is one of many classic novels featuring Travis McGee, the hard-boiled detective who lives on a houseboat. Travis McGee is a self-described beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. He's also a knight-errant who's wary of credit cards, retirement benefits, political parties, mortgages, and television. 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.
So grab yourself a Florida mystery, head to the beach, sit back and soak up some great Florida reads!
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