In 'Pale Gray for Guilt,' private investigator Travis McGee navigates the murky waters of crime and moral ambiguity in a Florida beach town. As he is drawn into a web of deceit surrounding a vanished friend and a wealthy, enigmatic widow, McGee grapples with questions of justice and personal responsibility. Tension escalates with unexpected twists, revealing dark secrets and hidden agendas. Against a backdrop of lush landscapes, MacDonald paints a vivid picture of human frailty and the cost of guilt. Can McGee uncover the truth before it consumes him?
By John D. MacDonald
Published: 2013
""The past is never truly dead; it lives on in every choice we make, leaving shadows that stretch across our present, and it is often those shadows that shape our destiny.""
From a beloved master of crime fiction, Pale Gray for Guilt is one of many classic novels featuring Travis McGee, the hard-boiled detective who lives on a houseboat. Travis McGee’s old football buddy Tush Bannon is resisting pressure to sell off his floundering motel and marina to a group of influential movers and shakers. Then he’s found dead. For a big man, Tush was a pussycat: devoted to his wife and three kids and always optimistic about his business—even when things were at their worst. So even though his death is ruled a suicide, McGee suspects murder . . . and a vile conspiracy. “As a young writer, all I ever wanted was to touch readers as powerfully as John D. MacDonald touched me.”—Dean Koontz Tush Bannon was in the wrong spot at the wrong time. His measly plot of land just so happened to sit right in the middle of a rich parcel of five hundred riverfront acres that big-money real estate interests decided they simply must have. It didn’t matter that Tush was a nice guy with a family, or that he never knew he was dealing with a criminal element. They squashed him like a bug and walked away, counting their change. But one thing they never counted on: the gentle giant had a not-so-gentle friend in Travis McGee. And now he’s going to make them pay. Features a new Introduction by Lee Child
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“"The past is never truly dead; it lives on in every choice we make, leaving shadows that stretch across our present, and it is often those shadows that shape our destiny."”
Pale Gray for Guilt
By John D. MacDonald
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John D. MacDonald (1916-1986) was a prolific American author best known for his contributions to the mystery and suspense genres. His most notable works include the Travis McGee series, a popular series of mystery novels featuring a wisecracking beach bum and rough-hewn detective. MacDonald's writing is characterized by its crisp prose, vivid descriptions, and a keen exploration of social issues, often reflecting the changing dynamics of American society during the mid-20th century. He has received multiple accolades, including the prestigious Edgar Award, and his influence is seen in the works of contemporary crime fiction authors.
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