Gregory Mcdonald Books In Order

Publication Order of Fletch Books

Chronological Order of Fletch Books

Publication Order of Flynn Books

Publication Order of Son of Fletch Books

Publication Order of Skylar Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Gregory Mcdonald was an American author of mystery novels famously known for the creation of the character Irwin Fletcher, an investigative reporter. Mcdonald was born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard University paid his school fees by operating yachts. Mcdonald worked as a teacher before becoming a journalist for the Boston Globe. He quit his 4-5 job to become a full-time writer. In 1985, the first book in Fletch series was optioned into a film with Chevy Chase playing the role of Fletch, the irreverent investigative reporter. In the second book in the series, Confess, Fletch the author introduced his second protagonist, Inspector Francis Xavier Flynn, an intelligent but aberrant Boston homicide detective who served as a foil for Fletcher. Flynn appeared in four of his spin-off books. The Fletch series also spawned another series titled Son of Fletch in which the author introduced Jack Faoni, the illegitimate son of Maurice Fletcher. Additionally, Mcdonald wrote other two books in the Skylar series and several non-series and non-mystery books.

Running Scared (1964) was adapted into a 1972 British film by the same name starring Gayle Hunnicutt and Robert Powell. Fletch (1974) was adapted into a 1985 American comedy action thriller movie starring Chevy Chase. Fletch Lives (1989) was adapted into a 1989 American comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie and starring Chevy Chase. The Brave (1991) was adapted into a movie starring Marlon Brando and Johnny Depp.

Fletch

Irwin Fletcher is a smart investigative reporter who goes undercover to find the source of a drug epidemic at the beach. He disguises himself as an addict and is approached by a wealthy man named Alan Stanwyk who makes him an offer. Stanwyk apparently claims to be dying of cancer and set up a plot to have someone kill him, so that suicide won’t nullifies his insurance. The offer to kill him also comes with a large sum of money and even a detailed escape plan.

Fletch plays along well and agrees to kill Stanwyck- he then embarks on an investigation to find out if the man is genuinely dying of cancer while still trying to figure out the source of the drug on the beach.

In the background, Fletcher is also juggling with lawsuits and the court appearances relating to the non-payment of alimony to his ex-wives both of whom still love him. Some aspects make this book exceptional unlike the movie- but what makes it more interesting is Fletcher himself. He is not mainly a good guy, he is arrogant, hostile and denies to play by the rules of the polite society. He is also conducting a sexual relationship with a drug-addicted 15 year old for a story.

Despite all these, Fletch is still a likable character, he is funny. Apparently, he is also handsome and desirable such that all women he comes across want to take him to bed including his wives who are eager to bleed his bank account dry while still claiming that they love him. The story prose is entirely different; almost the entire story is dialogue, every character has their voice, from the blue blood in Stan’s circle to the working class reporters and also the drug addicts on the beach- are which sound authentic.

Confess, Fletch

The flight from Rome had been a good one, even if the business he was on was not exactly. His Italian fiancée father had been abducted and presumed murdered, and Fletch is on the hunt of a stolen art collection that is only her inheritance. However, when he arrives at his apartment to find nothing but a dead body, things become complicated.

Inspector Flynn found him a little smooth talking for someone who seemed to be the only possible suspect in a case of homicide. He wasn’t uncooperative it was not like he was forthcoming also. Flynn was not convinced that the 19th-century artist, Edgar Arthur Tharp occupied most of Fletcher’s thoughts.

With the cops on his tail and some few things to do besides proving his innocence- Fletch himself at home while in Boston, renting a van repainting it and breaking into a probate art gallery. That is when only he is not playing along with his future mother in law and visiting with Flynn and his family.

Confess, Fletch first published in 1974 went on to win the Edgar Award. In the first book, Fletch was an underpaid reporter, dodging divorce lawyers, hounded by editors and dressed in T-shirts and jeans. Due to the incidences in the first book, Fletch shows up in the second book as a man of exquisite tastes, well groomed and living an expensive lifestyle. However, he is still the non-conformist always a step ahead of his enemies. In the second book, the author also introduces Inspector Flynn, a notorious man, a man who doesn’t make arrests until he is sure of the guilt of the suspect. Unlike Fletch, Flynn is a happily married man with four children. He was also a spy during the Second World War. What makes the second book superb is the battle of wits between two strong and even similar characters.

Fletch’s Fortune

The story starts off as Fletch returns from a beach in Italy after having exercising with his neighbor’s wife. He is blackmailed into working for the United States secret organization which involves him planting spying devices on other journalists. With no alternative, Fletch travels back to the US and the first person he meets is his favorite alias. But by the time Fletch arrives, the festivities have already started with the death of Walter and a newspaper tycoon- and so the game is afoot.

The convention is filled with lots of self-absorbed people who think that Fletch is either mad or not worth their precious time. Which is not the case with the widow March, the CIA, the guy from the IRS, the Navy and his former editor who also wants his scoop.

Fletch’s Fortune is a brilliant read and one of the best work from Gregory McDonald. The story boasts a high concept plot with lots of satire and a murder mystery that Fletch has to solve.