Ross Macdonald is the main pseudonym that was used by the American-Canadian writer of crime fictionKenneth Millar (/ˈmɪlər/; December 13, 1915 – July 11, 1983). He is best known for his series of hardboiled novels set in southern California and featuring private detective Lew Archer. Brought up in Ontario, he eventually settled in California, where he died in 1983.
Life
Millar was born in Los Gatos, California, and raised in his parents' native Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, where he started college. When his father abandoned his family unexpectedly, Macdonald lived with his mother and various relatives, moving several times by his sixteenth year.
In Canada, he met and married Margaret Sturm in 1938. They had a daughter, Linda, who died in 1970. He began his career writing stories for pulp magazines. Millar attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Phi Beta Kappa key and a PhD in literature. While doing graduate study, he completed his first novel, The Dark Tunnel, in 1944. For his first four novels, he used his real name. After serving at sea as a naval communications officer from 1944 to 1946, Millar returned to Michigan, where he obtained his PhD degree.
"There's nothing wrong with Southern California that a rise in the ocean level wouldn't cure"
"Nothing is wrong with California that a rise in the ocean level wouldn't cure."
"Losing Hidden Valley would be not a good thing. No question he's in a difficult position, certainly. We have an opportunity to address that situation through the regional master plan."
"Property transactions were down in the Highlands, but they were also down across the state."
"Money costs too much"
"When there's trouble in a family, it tends to show up in the weakest member. And all the other members of the family know that. They make allowances for the one in trouble."
"As a man gets older, if he knows what is good for him, the women he likes are getting older too. The trouble is that most of them are married."
"Hell lies at the bottom of the human heart."
"An ugly woman with an ugly gun is a terrible thing."
"Money costs too much."
"We writers, as we work our way deeper into our craft, learn to drop more and more personal clues. Like burglars who secretly wish to be caught, we leave our fingerprints on broken locks, our voiceprints in bugged rooms, our footprints in the wet concrete."
"The surprise with which a detective novel concludes should set up tragic vibrations which run backward through the entire structure."
"As I stood there absorbing Hammett's novel, the slot machines at the back of the shop were clanking and whirring, and in the billiard room upstairs the perpetual poker game was being played."
"My half-suppressed Canadian years, my whole childhood and youth, rose like a corpse from the bottom of the sea to confront me."
"Freud was one of the greatest influences on me. He made myth into psychiatry, and I've been trying to turn it back into myth again."
"I wanted to write as well as I possibly could to deal with life-and-death problems in contemporary society. And the form of Wilkie Collins and Graham Greene, of Hammett and Chandler, seemed to offer me all the rope I would ever need."
Educational film about Ross Macdonald, author of the Lew Archer books, two of which were turned into films starring Paul Newman. Generally regarded as the third greatest Hardboiled mystery writer after Hammett and Chandler. This film is from mid 1970's.
published: 14 Apr 2019
Ross Macdonald being Ross Macdonald
published: 06 Jun 2020
The Repeatable Pleasures of Ross Macdonald: RGBIB Ep. 59
A bit plotty, but these always good and absorbing detective novels feature one of the most restrained investigators in modern literature. He watches and he listens and he always finds out where the bodies are buried. Lew Archer. Oh–and the Paul Newman film versions from the sixties and seventies–HARPER and THE DROWNING POOL–are worth a look, too! [CORRECTION: Archer was Spade's PARTNER in THE MALTESE FALCON! Spade & Archer, remember?]
P.S. Don't miss the all-Bob Johnson action on the only Facebook novel being written as you read it (about Bob Johnson, that is!) Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/pg/scottbradfieldalways/posts/?ref=page_internal
published: 28 Sep 2018
The Writer in America: Ross MacDonald (1978)
For Ross & Lew, Allow Me To Shamus For You
published: 16 Nov 2023
What Goes On S2 Ep21 - Ross MacDonald (The 1975)
This week, for your listening pleasure, we present Ross MacDonald from The 1975 @rass1975.
We discuss early life in the band, coping with tourlife and how un-rock'n'roll life seems to be these days.
Enjoy.
published: 03 Nov 2020
The 1975 react to Being Funny In A Foreign Language getting Number 1 🏆 | Official Charts
The 1975's Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald celebrate their fifth consecutive Official Number 1 Album with Being Funny In A Foreign Language 🥳
Don't forget to subscribe! http://bit.ly/1JdKTq9
Learn more about the Official Charts: http://officialcharts.com
Come say hello to us on social media:
http://twitter.com/officialcharts
http://facebook.com/officialcharts
http://instagram.com/officialcharts
#The1975 #BeingFunnyInAForeignLanguage #Number1 #OfficialCharts #MattyHealy
published: 21 Oct 2022
it's not living if it's not with you but its just ross macdonald
ross really peaked here :')
this video is from the 1975's vertical video for it's not living. I know its criminally short but enjoy!
published: 03 Jun 2020
Pulp Today 08: Ross Macdonald is the Holy Ghost
I read Ross Macdonald's account of the beginnings of his writing career, complete with a special shout-out from Ross to a certain colleague who is near and dear to my heart.
published: 22 Apr 2020
The 1975 "It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)" Bass Cover
I don't only like pop punk music. In fact, I appreciate almost every genre of music out there. Pop rock is one of my favorites, and I feel there aren't many bands who can pull it off as well as @the1975. Bassist Ross MacDonald is a very underrated bassist, and he deserves much more credit than he receives!
published: 08 Sep 2024
The Wycherly Woman by Ross MacDonald (a detective novel informed by Greek tragedy!)
A discussion of MacDonald’s great mystery with some thoughts on what he introduced in detective fiction.
Recommended if you like:
The Galton Case by Ross MacDonald
The Chill by Ross MacDonald
The Ferguson Affair by Ross MacDonald (not an Archer mystery)
Beast in View by Margaret Millar, my discussion: https://youtu.be/DTS7D3pgGgU
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, my discussion: https://youtu.be/Y2r0n3feqrA
Greek tragedies: Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles, Electra by Euripides
Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O’Neill
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
#booktube
Educational film about Ross Macdonald, author of the Lew Archer books, two of which were turned into films starring Paul Newman. Generally regarded as the third...
Educational film about Ross Macdonald, author of the Lew Archer books, two of which were turned into films starring Paul Newman. Generally regarded as the third greatest Hardboiled mystery writer after Hammett and Chandler. This film is from mid 1970's.
Educational film about Ross Macdonald, author of the Lew Archer books, two of which were turned into films starring Paul Newman. Generally regarded as the third greatest Hardboiled mystery writer after Hammett and Chandler. This film is from mid 1970's.
A bit plotty, but these always good and absorbing detective novels feature one of the most restrained investigators in modern literature. He watches and he lis...
A bit plotty, but these always good and absorbing detective novels feature one of the most restrained investigators in modern literature. He watches and he listens and he always finds out where the bodies are buried. Lew Archer. Oh–and the Paul Newman film versions from the sixties and seventies–HARPER and THE DROWNING POOL–are worth a look, too! [CORRECTION: Archer was Spade's PARTNER in THE MALTESE FALCON! Spade & Archer, remember?]
P.S. Don't miss the all-Bob Johnson action on the only Facebook novel being written as you read it (about Bob Johnson, that is!) Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/pg/scottbradfieldalways/posts/?ref=page_internal
A bit plotty, but these always good and absorbing detective novels feature one of the most restrained investigators in modern literature. He watches and he listens and he always finds out where the bodies are buried. Lew Archer. Oh–and the Paul Newman film versions from the sixties and seventies–HARPER and THE DROWNING POOL–are worth a look, too! [CORRECTION: Archer was Spade's PARTNER in THE MALTESE FALCON! Spade & Archer, remember?]
P.S. Don't miss the all-Bob Johnson action on the only Facebook novel being written as you read it (about Bob Johnson, that is!) Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/pg/scottbradfieldalways/posts/?ref=page_internal
This week, for your listening pleasure, we present Ross MacDonald from The 1975 @rass1975.
We discuss early life in the band, coping with tourlife and how un-r...
This week, for your listening pleasure, we present Ross MacDonald from The 1975 @rass1975.
We discuss early life in the band, coping with tourlife and how un-rock'n'roll life seems to be these days.
Enjoy.
This week, for your listening pleasure, we present Ross MacDonald from The 1975 @rass1975.
We discuss early life in the band, coping with tourlife and how un-rock'n'roll life seems to be these days.
Enjoy.
The 1975's Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald celebrate their fifth consecutive Official Number 1 Album with Being Funny In A Foreign Lang...
The 1975's Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald celebrate their fifth consecutive Official Number 1 Album with Being Funny In A Foreign Language 🥳
Don't forget to subscribe! http://bit.ly/1JdKTq9
Learn more about the Official Charts: http://officialcharts.com
Come say hello to us on social media:
http://twitter.com/officialcharts
http://facebook.com/officialcharts
http://instagram.com/officialcharts
#The1975 #BeingFunnyInAForeignLanguage #Number1 #OfficialCharts #MattyHealy
The 1975's Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald celebrate their fifth consecutive Official Number 1 Album with Being Funny In A Foreign Language 🥳
Don't forget to subscribe! http://bit.ly/1JdKTq9
Learn more about the Official Charts: http://officialcharts.com
Come say hello to us on social media:
http://twitter.com/officialcharts
http://facebook.com/officialcharts
http://instagram.com/officialcharts
#The1975 #BeingFunnyInAForeignLanguage #Number1 #OfficialCharts #MattyHealy
I read Ross Macdonald's account of the beginnings of his writing career, complete with a special shout-out from Ross to a certain colleague who is near and dear...
I read Ross Macdonald's account of the beginnings of his writing career, complete with a special shout-out from Ross to a certain colleague who is near and dear to my heart.
I read Ross Macdonald's account of the beginnings of his writing career, complete with a special shout-out from Ross to a certain colleague who is near and dear to my heart.
I don't only like pop punk music. In fact, I appreciate almost every genre of music out there. Pop rock is one of my favorites, and I feel there aren't many ban...
I don't only like pop punk music. In fact, I appreciate almost every genre of music out there. Pop rock is one of my favorites, and I feel there aren't many bands who can pull it off as well as @the1975. Bassist Ross MacDonald is a very underrated bassist, and he deserves much more credit than he receives!
I don't only like pop punk music. In fact, I appreciate almost every genre of music out there. Pop rock is one of my favorites, and I feel there aren't many bands who can pull it off as well as @the1975. Bassist Ross MacDonald is a very underrated bassist, and he deserves much more credit than he receives!
A discussion of MacDonald’s great mystery with some thoughts on what he introduced in detective fiction.
Recommended if you like:
The Galton Case by Ross Mac...
A discussion of MacDonald’s great mystery with some thoughts on what he introduced in detective fiction.
Recommended if you like:
The Galton Case by Ross MacDonald
The Chill by Ross MacDonald
The Ferguson Affair by Ross MacDonald (not an Archer mystery)
Beast in View by Margaret Millar, my discussion: https://youtu.be/DTS7D3pgGgU
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, my discussion: https://youtu.be/Y2r0n3feqrA
Greek tragedies: Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles, Electra by Euripides
Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O’Neill
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
#booktube
A discussion of MacDonald’s great mystery with some thoughts on what he introduced in detective fiction.
Recommended if you like:
The Galton Case by Ross MacDonald
The Chill by Ross MacDonald
The Ferguson Affair by Ross MacDonald (not an Archer mystery)
Beast in View by Margaret Millar, my discussion: https://youtu.be/DTS7D3pgGgU
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, my discussion: https://youtu.be/Y2r0n3feqrA
Greek tragedies: Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles, Electra by Euripides
Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O’Neill
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
#booktube
Educational film about Ross Macdonald, author of the Lew Archer books, two of which were turned into films starring Paul Newman. Generally regarded as the third greatest Hardboiled mystery writer after Hammett and Chandler. This film is from mid 1970's.
A bit plotty, but these always good and absorbing detective novels feature one of the most restrained investigators in modern literature. He watches and he listens and he always finds out where the bodies are buried. Lew Archer. Oh–and the Paul Newman film versions from the sixties and seventies–HARPER and THE DROWNING POOL–are worth a look, too! [CORRECTION: Archer was Spade's PARTNER in THE MALTESE FALCON! Spade & Archer, remember?]
P.S. Don't miss the all-Bob Johnson action on the only Facebook novel being written as you read it (about Bob Johnson, that is!) Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/pg/scottbradfieldalways/posts/?ref=page_internal
This week, for your listening pleasure, we present Ross MacDonald from The 1975 @rass1975.
We discuss early life in the band, coping with tourlife and how un-rock'n'roll life seems to be these days.
Enjoy.
The 1975's Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald celebrate their fifth consecutive Official Number 1 Album with Being Funny In A Foreign Language 🥳
Don't forget to subscribe! http://bit.ly/1JdKTq9
Learn more about the Official Charts: http://officialcharts.com
Come say hello to us on social media:
http://twitter.com/officialcharts
http://facebook.com/officialcharts
http://instagram.com/officialcharts
#The1975 #BeingFunnyInAForeignLanguage #Number1 #OfficialCharts #MattyHealy
I read Ross Macdonald's account of the beginnings of his writing career, complete with a special shout-out from Ross to a certain colleague who is near and dear to my heart.
I don't only like pop punk music. In fact, I appreciate almost every genre of music out there. Pop rock is one of my favorites, and I feel there aren't many bands who can pull it off as well as @the1975. Bassist Ross MacDonald is a very underrated bassist, and he deserves much more credit than he receives!
A discussion of MacDonald’s great mystery with some thoughts on what he introduced in detective fiction.
Recommended if you like:
The Galton Case by Ross MacDonald
The Chill by Ross MacDonald
The Ferguson Affair by Ross MacDonald (not an Archer mystery)
Beast in View by Margaret Millar, my discussion: https://youtu.be/DTS7D3pgGgU
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, my discussion: https://youtu.be/Y2r0n3feqrA
Greek tragedies: Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles, Electra by Euripides
Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O’Neill
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
#booktube