Gallery

Breathtaking aerial view of Cabbage Key, a rustic island resort on the Southwest Florida coast. A common backdrop in the “Pine Island Sound Mysteries” series.
Breathtaking aerial view of Cabbage Key, a rustic island resort on the Southwest Florida coast. A common backdrop in the “Pine Island Sound Mysteries” series.
The channel into Cabbage Key from the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW), the only way to access this historic gem.
The channel into Cabbage Key from the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW), the only way to access this historic gem.
The legendary “dollar bill bar” at Cabbage Key, rumored to be the place Jimmy Buffet wrote “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”
The legendary “dollar bill bar” at Cabbage Key, rumored to be the place Jimmy Buffet wrote “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”
John staying in Rinehart cottage at Cabbage Key and happy to see an old photo from the 1950’s of his grandfather and friends on the wall. The man on the left is Tom Phillips, one of the original developers of Pine Island, and the man in the middle is the Lee County commissioner, Harry Stringfellow (the main road on Pine Island is named after him). The man on the right is John’s grandfather, Dawson McDaniel, who was the tax collector in Lee County for two decades.
John staying in Rinehart cottage at Cabbage Key and happy to see an old photo from the 1950’s of his grandfather and friends on the wall. The man on the left is Tom Phillips, one of the original developers of Pine Island, and the man in the middle is the Lee County commissioner, Harry Stringfellow (the main road on Pine Island is named after him). The man on the right is John’s grandfather, Dawson McDaniel, who was the tax collector in Lee County for two decades.
The bayside entrance to the Cayo Costa State Park, an island in Southwest Florida, just south of the historic village of Boca Grande.
The bayside entrance to the Cayo Costa State Park, an island in Southwest Florida, just south of the historic village of Boca Grande.
John’s characters Beth Mancini and Karen Jacoby fought for their lives while at an isolated beach-front cabin on Cayo Costa in “The Trophy Wife Divorce.”
John’s characters Beth Mancini and Karen Jacoby fought for their lives while at an isolated beach-front cabin on Cayo Costa in “The Trophy Wife Divorce.”
The pioneer cemetery on Cayo Costa. The buried treasure in “Cayo Costa Cross” was a rumor passed from generation to generation in the character Lynn Chapman’s family. When Lynn finally decided to divorce her controlling husband, Bobby, the secrets of the location of the buried treasure are exposed.
The pioneer cemetery on Cayo Costa. The buried treasure in “Cayo Costa Cross” was a rumor passed from generation to generation in the character Lynn Chapman’s family. When Lynn finally decided to divorce her controlling husband, Bobby, the secrets of the location of the buried treasure are exposed.
John was always easy to spot traveling in his boat in Pine Island Sound.
John was always easy to spot traveling in his boat in Pine Island Sound.
Historical fish shacks in Pine Island Sound, which were built in the 1920’s. The fishermen lived there and stored their catches on ice until a weekly supply boat picked up the fish to send via rail from Port Charlotte to northern cities.
Historical fish shacks in Pine Island Sound, which were built in the 1920’s. The fishermen lived there and stored their catches on ice until a weekly supply boat picked up the fish to send via rail from Port Charlotte to northern cities.
A close-up of a fish shack in Pine Island Sound.
A close-up of a fish shack in Pine Island Sound.
This is an old picture of the “Punta Blanca” fish shack. John’s grandfather, Dawson McDaniel, and his uncle, Frankie Daniels, owned this fishing shack in the 1970’s. John spent most weekends there with his family catching fish and exploring the barrier islands.
This is an old picture of the “Punta Blanca” fish shack. John’s grandfather, Dawson McDaniel, and his uncle, Frankie Daniels, owned this fishing shack in the 1970’s. John spent most weekends there with his family catching fish and exploring the barrier islands.
John helping his grandfather clean redfish in the mid-1970’s.
John helping his grandfather clean redfish in the mid-1970’s.
It’s hard to keep these in stock! Thirsty fisherman love keeping their favorite beverages cold while boating in Pine Island Sound.
It’s hard to keep these in stock! Thirsty fisherman love keeping their favorite beverages cold while boating in Pine Island Sound.
The Pineland Indian mounds that are the location of a double-murder in “Pineland Gold.”
The Pineland Indian mounds that are the location of a double-murder in “Pineland Gold.”
The Pineland Post Office, the second-smallest post office in the country.
The Pineland Post Office, the second-smallest post office in the country.
A sunset from Tarpon Lodge, which is across the street from the Pineland Indian Mounds. Some people believe this is the best place for sunset dining in Southwest Florida.
A sunset from Tarpon Lodge, which is across the street from the Pineland Indian Mounds. Some people believe this is the best place for sunset dining in Southwest Florida.
Holiday House benefit book signing at Tarpon Lodge.
Holiday House benefit book signing at Tarpon Lodge.
Sanibel Shell Festival book signing.
Sanibel Shell Festival book signing.
Even the Mayor loves John’s books! John with former Mayor of Fort Myers, Randy Henderson.
Even the Mayor loves John’s books! John with former Mayor of Fort Myers, Randy Henderson.
Reach out to John to book him for a private event or a book club appearance. John loves sitting down and telling colorful stories about the rich history of southwest Florida barrier islands.
Reach out to John to book him for a private event or a book club appearance. John loves sitting down and telling colorful stories about the rich history of southwest Florida barrier islands.
When John isn’t writing, you’ll find him fishing the waters of Pine Island Sound and beyond.
When John isn’t writing, you’ll find him fishing the waters of Pine Island Sound and beyond.