The Deep Blue Good-By

 The Deep Blue Good-by is one of several novels featuring Travis McGee, the hard-boiled investigator who lives on a houseboat and describes himself as a beach bum. McGee won his boat in a poker game, yet he's also a rogue knight. He avoids credit cards and pensions, political parties, mortgages, and television. He only works until his money runs out and follows one rule: if you give him half of what was taken from you, he'll help you find it. He doesn't realize how many women Junior Allen has ripped apart and left in his wake—until one comes crawling to McGee for help.