Desmond Cory is the pseudonym used by British mystery and thriller writer Shaun Lloyd McCarthy between 1951 and 1994. Under it he wrote over 40 novels, including:

• Johnny Fedora novels - spy thrillers set in the world of the secret agent
• Lindy Grey novels - detective puzzlers featuring a charismatic protagonist
• Mr. Pilgrim novels - which introduced Cory’s readers to life behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War
• Psychological thrillers – which achieved great success, some being made into TV series and movies by 20th Century Fox (featuring international celebrities such as Michael Caine)
• Prof. John Dobie - a Mathematics professor embroiled in many ingenious (and humorous) mystery murders