When someone recollect noir or hardboiled fiction , metropolis like New York , Chicago , and Los Angeles typically come to mind right away . But great criminal offence stories are n’t confine to those venue . In fact , there ’s a plethora of great pulp fiction in the Sunshine State . From PIs to nosy journalists , Florida ’s a hotbed of not only killer crime account , but really compelling protagonists . possibly I ’m biased , being a Miami native and the source of my ownSouth Florida offence serial . But who is n’t ? Here ’s a inclination of tropic reliable detective beach reads that ’ll get you through the spring , summertime , and beyond .
1 . John D. MacDonald ’s " Travis McGee "
Neither a cop nor a PI , Travis McGee micturate a living find lose stuff for client for a sizable fee . McGee , a Florida Keys aboriginal , lives onThe Busted Flush , a boat he make headway in a fire hook game and that he keeps docked in a Fort Lauderdale marina . The somewhat jaded McGee is n’t a young one dollar bill , but he ’s no slouch either . An ex - military man with t’ai chi martial artistic creation skills and a sharp judgement , the ego - proclaimed “ salvage adviser ” wizard in 21 novels and is considered by many to be the first of the great Florida crime novel heroes .
The first book in the Travis McGee serial is 1964’sThe Deep Blue Good - by .
2. James W. Hall’s “Thorn”
James W. Hall , generator of 19 novels , success of the Edgar and Shamus Awards , andfounderof Florida International University ’s highly - regarded creative authorship program , is belike best known for his Thorn novels , which star the Florida Keys - free-base individual tec with no first name . Hall ’s haunted protagonist stars in 14 exotic adventures — from the must - readUnder Cover of Daylight , which sport Thorn hunt down the liquidator of his foster mother to the most late , The Big Finish — that search every sour and sunstruck corner of the detective ’s Key Largo home and beyond . The serial owes a lot to the McGee book while also covering young terra firma , and the off - the - grid Thorn makes for an unforgettable hero .
3. Charles Willeford’s “Hoke Moseley”
wear out , down , and perpetually down on his luck : that ’s a quick and well-off path to describe Hoke Moseley , the linguistic rule - breaking Miami cop who stars in Charles Willeford ’s virtuoso , unsentimental serial publication of four novel that kick off with the classicMiami Blues . Willeford has a intimidating and acclaimed physical structure of oeuvre , but many point to his Moseley books as some of his best output signal , which showcase the deadly , strange , and surprising characters that litter the Miami map .
4. Edna Buchanan’s “Britt Montero”
Edna Buchanan is a fabled Miami diary keeper who spend decades on the criminal offense pound forThe Miami Herald , culminating in the honest crime classicThe Corpse Had A Familiar Face . Her fiction load down as much clout as her reportage , especially the series that lay down up the bulk of her novel , starring Miami newsperson Britt Montero . Like the author who created her , Montero lives and breathes her beat — fueled by an insatiable curio that puts her in parlous situations all over Miami . Police corruption , serial killers , hurricanes , and crimes of passion are just some of the things that Montero faces off against in her quest to get to the bottom of the story . Her diligence and nose for the truth make her adventures unacceptable to put down .
The first book in the Britt Montero series is 1992’sContents Under pressure level .
5. Vicki Hendricks’s “Sherry Parlay”
Oh , Sherry Parlay . What more can be said about Vicki Hendricks ’s neo - noir classic , Miami Purity ? No novel expresses the sweat - soaked , tense , and sultry vibration of the city more than this one , and it owe a stack of its plaudit and success to Parlay — an on - the - run stripper - turn - laundry actor . An reverse , feminist take on James M. Cain ’s pulp magazine classicThe Postman Always Rings Twice , Miami Puritysees Parlay trying to make the near of her life after a series of bad turns , only to bumble into a dangerous human relationship at her new problem . aphrodisiacal , smart , sharp - tongue , and unfiltered , Parlay stands out as one of the most memorable part in modern crime fabrication .
6. Elmore Leonard’s “Jackie Burke”
Crime fiction sports fan eff that before Quentin Tarantino’sJackie Brown , there was Jackie Burke . Unlike the movie adaptation , the Christian Bible , Rum Punch , take place in West Palm Beach , Florida — but the character of Burke persist as ( if not more ) vibrant and savvy as Pam Grier ’s stellar screen turn . Burke is a money - smuggling flight of steps attendant who finds herself cornered on all sides — by her bosses , the FBI , and a local bail bondman . Burke uses her smarts and double - crossbreeding skills to last , and in typical Elmore Leonard style , it ’s an absolute joy to read .
Jackie Burke appeared in 1992’sRum Punch .
7 . Les Standiford ’s " John Deal "
John Deal does n’t require any trouble . But for whatever reason , it seems to find him . A reluctant detective , Les Standiford ’s series star is actually a Miami edifice declarer by daylight , but find himself ensnared by the urban center ’s tentacles on a regular ground . Whether it ’s slaying , backroom flock , or a political snatch , Deal has done it all in his eight - book serial publication , and his unforgettable adventure prove to be fast - paced and engaging .
The first book in the John Deal serial publication is 2002’sDone Deal .
8. Carolina Garcia-Aguilera’s “Lupe Solano”
Private optic Lupe Solano is a self - proclaimed “ Cuban - American princess ” from a loaded and large Miami household . But do n’t let the princess tatter fool you — Solano is a tough investigator who is unafraid to vagabond the sleazy side of Miami . The Solano mystery story not only give readers an educational crash row in Miami and Cuban culture , but also face the oeuvre of Solano from an informed view , as Carolina Garcia - Aguilera is a individual heart herself . Gritty , spicy , aphrodisiac , and devoted to her friends and fellowship , Solano thrives as a character and gives lecturer a tour of the vivid Miami landscape in a path only Garcia - Aguilera can discover .
The first book in the Lupe Solano series is 1996’sBloody piss .
