Our best wishes go out to Ed Gorman for a quick recovery as he continues to convalesce at home. In the March issue of Mystery Scene magazine, Ed wrote an article on “My 10 Favorite John D. MacDonald Standalone Novels.” And here’s the list:
1. Dead Low Tide
2. Soft Touch
3. Deadly Welcome
4. Murder in the Wind
5. The Executioners
6. Slam the Big Door
7. The End of the Night
8. A Key to the Suite
9. A Flash of Green
10. The Drowner

I’ve been reviewing Ed’s choices. This week we’re up to Number Six from 1960: Slam the Big Door. Part buddy novel, part suspense novel Slam the Big Door introduces us to two friends. Mike Rodenska and Troy Jamison meet during WWII. Mike was a war correspondent, Troy was a war hero. After the war, they drifted apart. Mike pursued a career in journalism while Troy married, started a career in advertising, and nearly drank himself into a nervous breakdown. When Troy recovered he then moved to Florida to start over as a builder.

Years later, Troy invites Mike to visit. Mike is getting over the death of his wife and the surprise inheritance from an uncle who left Mike valuable stocks. Mike learns Troy is in deep trouble again. Slam the Big Door is one of JDM’s darkest and most naturalistic novels. JDM seems to be saying we can’t avoid our Fates.