Widely regarded as a master of crime fiction, John Dann MacDonald (1916-1986) was the author of the critically acclaimed Travis McGee mystery series, numerous novels, and many short-stories. His book, The Executioners, was adapted into the film Cape Fear. MacDonald remains one of the most significant modern authors — authors from Stephen King to Kurt Vonnegut have cited him as one of their influences. In 1972, MacDonald received the Grand Master award from the Mystery Writers of America, and in 1980 he won a National Book Award for his Travis McGee novel, The Green Ripper, in the one-year category Mystery. He lived in Florida and died in 1986.