Picture an American storyteller who swapped courtrooms for rivers and law books for mysteries—meet M.W. Gordon! A former law professor turned mystery novelist, Gordon crafts thrilling tales in his Macduff Brooks series, blending fly fishing adventures with gripping suspense. His stories, set against the stunning backdrops of Montana, Florida, and Wyoming, hook readers with their authentic outdoor vibe and intricate plots.
From rescuing stranded families on the Snake River to teaching wounded veterans to cast a fly, Gordon’s life is as adventurous as his novels. Let’s dive into the world of this unique author who found his muse in nature’s wild embrace.
The Making of M.W. Gordon
Born in 1935, M.W. Gordon spent four decades as a distinguished international law professor, teaching at institutions like the University of Florida and the London School of Economics. His early career took him to volatile regions like Guatemala and Cuba, gathering intelligence and consulting for the U.S. State Department. These high-stakes experiences shaped the gritty realism in his later writing. In 2007, Gordon traded academia for a drift boat named Osprey, becoming a professional fly fishing guide. His love for the sport, rooted in his 1940s Connecticut childhood, inspired a new chapter as a novelist.
Gordon’s transition to writing wasn’t just a career shift—it was a calling. Drawing on his legal expertise and outdoor passion, he created stories that resonate with authenticity. His wife, Buff, also an author, and their sheltie, Macduff, share his life in Summer Haven, Florida, fueling his creative spark.
M.W. Gordon’s Unforgettable Stories
Gordon’s Macduff Brooks mystery series is the heart of his literary legacy. The series follows Macduff Brooks, a former law professor turned fly fishing guide, whose new identity in witness protection can’t shield him from his past. In Deadly Drifts, the first novel, Brooks navigates murder and Guatemalan assassins on Wyoming’s Snake River, blending suspense with vivid fly fishing scenes. Crosses to Bear, the second installment, ramps up the stakes with a body nailed to a cross in Montana’s Paradise Valley, exploring themes of vengeance and environmental conflict.
You’re Next!, the third book, introduces a chilling solstice murder pattern, while Gill Net Games shifts to Florida’s Gulf Coast, weaving a tale of bodies wrapped in fishing nets. Gordon’s style is crisp and dialogue-driven, with a knack for grounding high-octane plots in the serene rhythms of fly fishing. His themes—grief, redemption, and nature’s power—resonate with readers who crave adventure and heart. Each novel feels like a float down a river: calm moments punctuated by sudden, thrilling rapids.
Gordon’s deep knowledge of fly fishing shines through, earning praise from anglers and mystery fans alike. His commitment to catch-and-release and barbless hooks mirrors the respect for nature woven into his narratives, making his work a love letter to the outdoors.
Why M.W. Gordon Matters
M.W. Gordon’s impact lies in his ability to carve a niche in the mystery genre, blending outdoor adventure with psychological depth. His Macduff Brooks series appeals to readers who love C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett or Nevada Barr’s nature-infused thrillers. By drawing on his legal and fishing expertise, Gordon offers an authentic voice in a crowded genre. His work with Project Healing Waters, teaching combat-wounded veterans to fly fish, reflects the compassion that infuses his characters, making him a storyteller with heart.
Though not a household name, Gordon’s series has a loyal following, with fans praising his vivid settings and moral protagonists. His novels remind us that nature can be both a refuge and a stage for life’s darkest dramas, leaving a quiet but lasting mark on outdoor mystery fiction.
- Birth Year: 1935
- Key Works: Deadly Drifts, Crosses to Bear, You’re Next!, Gill Net Games
- Notable Contribution: Work with Project Healing Waters for veterans
Snag Deadly Drifts and dive into M.W. Gordon’s thrilling world of fly fishing and mystery—you’ll be hooked!