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angelabeth995's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kathydavie's review
5.0
First in the Travis McGee suspense series revolving around Travis, who only works when he needs the money. Based in Florida.
My Take
I found Lee Child's introduction in this edition edifying. I had no idea of MacDonald's background or how the war was likely to have influenced his writing. Child also tips us to MacDonald's environmental stance; it's subtle within the story, and I suspect I'd've missed it if I hadn't read the intro.
MacDonald's books ought to be part of a writer's education on how to write. He's incredible with his poetic descriptions, how beautifully he paints a scene and creates a person, using words without going into cliché. And no, his words are unique enough that I don't recall reading them in anyone else's work. So no excuses that he was able to create the clichés later writers have to avoid!
MacDonald starts off "in progress", as if Travis has been doing this for some time, and he sets Travis up as lazy, but also a man with a heart and a strong sense of justice. Cathy's story is sad enough, but it's Lois' that will really break your heart. MacDonald makes excellent use of her character and her condition to provide the nasty details about Junior Allen.
I did enjoy Trav's psychological excursions, listening to him as he figures out how to get inside someone's mind---mind you, he's got his cockiness and it gets taken down a peg. Still, I'm going to enjoy reading more of his work...
The Story
Cathy has been morally violated by a ruthless man, and when she gets Travis McGee involved, he discovers more victims in even worse case.
Lois Atkinson is at the end of her rope until Trav steps in and becomes even more determined to stop Junior Allen.
The Characters
Travis McGee is a boat bum doing just enough to get by. When he needs money, he takes on a job retrieving X's property from Y and splitting the retrieved. He won the Busted Flush in a card game and lives aboard. Miss Agnes is his chopped Rolls Royce pickup. Chookie McCall is a choreographer with heart and Travis' friend. She manages the Island Dancers who perform at the Bahama Room, Adam Teabolt's place.
Cathy Kerr is a mother who has left her son, Davie, in her sister Christine Haason's care while she earns a living far from home as a dancer. Cathy's husband, Wally Kerr, took off. Christine's husband, Jaimie, was killed. Sergeant David Berry is her father. A sly man who finagled his way through the war only to be jailed for murder when he returns. Leaving the treasure he accumulated vulnerable.
Junior Allen, a.k.a., A.A. Allen, a.k.a., Dads, was in jail with her father and somehow learned just enough. Enough to jerk over the Berry family. And to take a liking for it. He seems particularly talented at finding nasty women who like the hurtin' as well as those who will break the worst. Deeleen and Corry are two "little sweethearts" Dads is chatting for the next woman he intends to break, Patty Devlan. Pete was the set-up for Patty.
Mrs. Lois Atkinson is one of Junior's victims, and it's just horrible the state she's reduced to. Dr. Ramirez helps Trav get Lois back from the brink. Dr. Harper Fairlea is her somewhat estranged brother; Harp's wife is Lucille.
Callowell was a pilot who served with Berry for a time. George Brell was one of Berry's partners. Angie is Brell's miserable little girl; Gerry is his trophy wife. Lew Dagg is the jerk of a football player who thought he could take Travis on.
The Alabama Tiger "operates the world's only permanent floating house party", and Molly Bea and Conny are some of Tiger's tarts. He's a good friend who doesn't ask questions.
Harry is a New York contact who knows the street.
The Cover
The cover is from the 2013 edition and is split in two: the top half is black crumpled paper forming a backdrop for the author's name, the series, and the title while the bottom half is a photo of a woman's calves with cute blue sandals dangling in the clear blue of a swimming pool.
I think the title refers to the bad guy when he experiences The Deep Blue Good-By.
My Take
I found Lee Child's introduction in this edition edifying. I had no idea of MacDonald's background or how the war was likely to have influenced his writing. Child also tips us to MacDonald's environmental stance; it's subtle within the story, and I suspect I'd've missed it if I hadn't read the intro.
MacDonald's books ought to be part of a writer's education on how to write. He's incredible with his poetic descriptions, how beautifully he paints a scene and creates a person, using words without going into cliché. And no, his words are unique enough that I don't recall reading them in anyone else's work. So no excuses that he was able to create the clichés later writers have to avoid!
MacDonald starts off "in progress", as if Travis has been doing this for some time, and he sets Travis up as lazy, but also a man with a heart and a strong sense of justice. Cathy's story is sad enough, but it's Lois' that will really break your heart. MacDonald makes excellent use of her character and her condition to provide the nasty details about Junior Allen.
I did enjoy Trav's psychological excursions, listening to him as he figures out how to get inside someone's mind---mind you, he's got his cockiness and it gets taken down a peg. Still, I'm going to enjoy reading more of his work...
The Story
Cathy has been morally violated by a ruthless man, and when she gets Travis McGee involved, he discovers more victims in even worse case.
Lois Atkinson is at the end of her rope until Trav steps in and becomes even more determined to stop Junior Allen.
The Characters
Travis McGee is a boat bum doing just enough to get by. When he needs money, he takes on a job retrieving X's property from Y and splitting the retrieved. He won the Busted Flush in a card game and lives aboard. Miss Agnes is his chopped Rolls Royce pickup. Chookie McCall is a choreographer with heart and Travis' friend. She manages the Island Dancers who perform at the Bahama Room, Adam Teabolt's place.
Cathy Kerr is a mother who has left her son, Davie, in her sister Christine Haason's care while she earns a living far from home as a dancer. Cathy's husband, Wally Kerr, took off. Christine's husband, Jaimie, was killed. Sergeant David Berry is her father. A sly man who finagled his way through the war only to be jailed for murder when he returns. Leaving the treasure he accumulated vulnerable.
Junior Allen, a.k.a., A.A. Allen, a.k.a., Dads, was in jail with her father and somehow learned just enough. Enough to jerk over the Berry family. And to take a liking for it. He seems particularly talented at finding nasty women who like the hurtin' as well as those who will break the worst. Deeleen and Corry are two "little sweethearts" Dads is chatting for the next woman he intends to break, Patty Devlan. Pete was the set-up for Patty.
Mrs. Lois Atkinson is one of Junior's victims, and it's just horrible the state she's reduced to. Dr. Ramirez helps Trav get Lois back from the brink. Dr. Harper Fairlea is her somewhat estranged brother; Harp's wife is Lucille.
Callowell was a pilot who served with Berry for a time. George Brell was one of Berry's partners. Angie is Brell's miserable little girl; Gerry is his trophy wife. Lew Dagg is the jerk of a football player who thought he could take Travis on.
The Alabama Tiger "operates the world's only permanent floating house party", and Molly Bea and Conny are some of Tiger's tarts. He's a good friend who doesn't ask questions.
Harry is a New York contact who knows the street.
The Cover
The cover is from the 2013 edition and is split in two: the top half is black crumpled paper forming a backdrop for the author's name, the series, and the title while the bottom half is a photo of a woman's calves with cute blue sandals dangling in the clear blue of a swimming pool.
I think the title refers to the bad guy when he experiences The Deep Blue Good-By.
brandongryder's review against another edition
4.0
This book went down like a cold beer on a summer afternoon. I would almost bet that the TV show Magnum P.I. was inspired by this series. Can't wait to read them all.
mike_word's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars. This book felt original, although it follows a similar path to many thrillers. The dialog is a bit out of date, but the overall flow and story doesn't feel stuck in the 60s. I am glad I checked it out. Not sure I'll seek out the follow ups, but glad I read this.
beefmaster's review against another edition
2.0
Extremely good facility with character. Too many flights of over written poesy. Practically incoherent climax: i don't know what all these boat terms mean so it felt like reading Greek. Plus, a fist fight that lasts for 30 pages is boring as shit. I'll read the next one. Maybe it gets better
thisisstephenbetts's review against another edition
3.0
I was a little disappointed by this. It was a good hard-boiled yarn, with a good hard-boiled narrator - things I'm usually a sucker for, and I did tear through the book.
But it was a little misogynistic, even in this damsels-in-distress genre; all the women either needed saving or else were beyond saving. A touch of the Houllebecqs in his female characterisation, I thought. On top of that, the book would have had a lot happier ending if the hero had just thought to tie up the bad guy, which just didn't ring true. I enjoyed the reading of it though, and would give MacDonald another chance.
But it was a little misogynistic, even in this damsels-in-distress genre; all the women either needed saving or else were beyond saving. A touch of the Houllebecqs in his female characterisation, I thought. On top of that, the book would have had a lot happier ending if the hero had just thought to tie up the bad guy, which just didn't ring true. I enjoyed the reading of it though, and would give MacDonald another chance.
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
Coming from Florida I have heard of the TravisMcGee books, even know where the Bahia Mar Hotel is, but I never got around to reading them. This first book in the series has left me wanting more. McGee is a flawed hero, and that is what I like about him. He is not always a very nice person, but he has a personal code he lives by and tries hard to stick to, even when he knows it is going to cost him. The female characters are a little wooden to me, but I take into account that it was written in 1964 and that there were different social expectations then. For the time, the female characters show a strength that while not what people today would expect, was probably strong enough for when they were written.
I think I will continue reading the series. I want to see where it goes.
I think I will continue reading the series. I want to see where it goes.
stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
Yet another great series. This is an old one (first published in 1964), but is new to me. Great hard case detective and an old school tough guy. Probably a very steamy book when it was written. Great story by a great writer!