[ncalburt]

John McDonald based it on all the Horrific Non stop building on Siesta Key .
He was a neighbor of my parents and not happy about all the Condos towers being built very cheaply and quick .
I still can recall the Condo tower he was furious about and the main condo in the novel . A flash of green is based on the building on Lido and Bird Key which was the old town dump .

[abb]

Life-long JDM fan. His McGee character often opined about the over-development of FL, and that was in the 60s and 70s. JDM died in 1986 - you can just imagine what he would have to say today. Interesting that your folks knew him.

[xcullen]

Just read this recently (actually listened to it on Audible). All of the condo issues still persist - the $ amounts are just different. When the hurricane hits he has some pretty chilling imagery. The olive rolling off the mantle eg.