The Deep Blue Good-By (Travis McGee Series #1) by John D. MacDonald. Carl Hiaasen (Introduction) Paperback

Having seen that Lee Child was doing an introduction I was drawn to have a look and decided I would try this one. What a good decision and i can see exactly why Lee Child recommends John Macdonalds books. What a great story and for me reading it was almost like reading about Reacher. I dont mean the violence of Reacher but the logic and way of thinking. A great read and for me a great new (to me) character and he can handle himself as well!

If you enjoy modern crime series (Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone books, for instance) and want to try something harder-edged, then the Travis McGee books are a great find.Trav is an anti-hero born of the 1960s. He's rough around the edges, a womaniser like Fleming's Commander Bond, a man's man. He can be brutal and he can be appallingly chauvanist -- but he's also got a dependable moral code of his own and the guts to go through with every investigation.This is the first book in the series so is a natural place to start (but they don't affect each other too much so it's ok if you want to begin somewhere else).MacDonald's writing is at times bleak, others harsh, frequently contemplative. You get a pulp thriller, plenty of action, a dash of mystery and violence, combined with a pessimistic outlook on American society. There are times when MacDonald's gripes with modern life get on my nerves -- but they are more than balanced by his knife-sharp prose, engaging characters and skillful situations.And unlike many modern novels, the Travis McGee series are all bite-size books. They're easy to read in a couple of days, not 500-page bloated behemoths. Quality -- and quantity, cos there's nearly two dozen different ones to read if you enjoy the first one.Thoroughly recommended.

For the story - 4 or 5 stars.For the price and making it come up with Lee Child as author 1 star. Lee Child wrote 3 pages to introduce the author and get his name linked to the book so that contemporary readers will be drawn to an "old author". I was not fooled and I don't think many will be - it did draw me in as I had run out of Reacher novels to read.I am not disappointed by the book - it is an easy read and easy to see where Lee Child got his influences from - Travis McGee is not Jack Reacher, but if you like Reacher books, this will be familiar in style and content.I can take the flagrant use of Lee Child to draw us to this latest re-print - I had never heard of John Macdonald, despite him being the author of Cape Fear and 60 other books, less famous and well known I assume in the 60's-80's.What is unreasonable is paying nearly £10 for a book about half the length of a Reacher novel that can be had for 2/3 the price. So about 3x the price per page.Kindle users of course will rejoice - finally a book that is way cheaper in kindle than in print. But as a "old fashioned reader" who likes to be able to leave his book in the sun, sit on it by mistake, drop it, read it with sunglasses in bright light, on the beach, by the pool and not worry it will stolen while I swim, or run flat at an annoying moment etc etc, the quad price over Kindle is way too much. So while Kindle prices should be less (for patently obvious reasons), I think the pendulum has gone too far the other way.Price this re-printed series at £4.50 a pop and I'd rate this one 4-5 stars.(Let's not turn this into a Kindle thread - they have their place and in the end its a personal choice - there is no right or wrong, really !!!!)

This is the first book in the series which introduces us to Travis McGee. I loved the books the first time I found them in the 1970s, and, as they have long been out of print in the UK, I was more than delighted to find them becoming available in Kindle. Other reviewers have said they're "dated". For me that would be something written in prose that appeared old fashioned, whereas these books while certainly of their time, in that they were written and set in the 60s, contain writing that still feels fresh today. The only thing that sets these apart from newly published works of fiction, is the lack of (often) endless expletives. This is, for me, an advantage, as it allows the author's exceptional command and clear love of the language to shine through. John D MacDonald had the ability to use words to paint pictures in ways only the best writer's can achieve, and I believe him to be seriously undervalued. This type of book is commonly referred to as pulp fiction, which hides the fact that the Travis McGee series is, almost without exception, a master class in writing that pulls you effortlessly and satisfactorily from the first page to the last.

A Travis McGee tale and it was ok.not outstanding, but a competent story with well put together characters who I cared about. The plot was realistic and the pace good. Four stars.

Before you embark upon the looooong roller coaster ride with Travis McGee, be well advised. The man is unique, he is an extravaganza of emotions, reasons, ideals ( not ideas, ideals, go look it up if you are confused) and imagination. He is also highly addictive. If I could, I would go with him on each adventure. Mr John D MadDonald, thank you. You were years before your time. With regret I have to say that Jack Reacher pales not quite into insignificance but certainly comes a fine second. I speak from the lofty heights of book 11 having missed out not one. In order to truly appreciate the realms of this magnificent literature (( I was moved to tears in Book 11 by inner emotions hitherto unmoved by any book)) make sure you do not miss one. Start at the very beginning, here, sit back and enjoy. You will not be sorry.

Anyone with an interest in crime fiction needs to dip their toe into the world of Travis McGhee at least once. Wonderful stuff.

A great story with twists, turns and characterful writing. The women characters don't come iff to great, probably a reflection of when they were written. McGees reveries on life abd the world ate different enough to be the most memorable standout

Exquisite writing throughout. Hard to believe that a series follows. This is as good as it gets, whether as thrillers go or as high lit.

I started reading John D. MacDonald books many years ago and it's so nice to revisit a favorite. Funny, I don't think I ever read the very first one, I think I started with "Nightmare In Pink" so it was such a pleasure to read this one for the first time. Travis McGee is one of the all time best written heroes of the P.I. genre. It's his need to rescue damsels in distress and his ability to see that his own armor is tarnished that makes him so likable.Here we find him wanting to help a woman who was abused, beaten and raped by a former boyfriend. Junior Allen became nasty and kept her prisoner until she complied with his every wish. He stole from her and Travis felt sufficiently indignant that no one should get away with treating another human being that way that he agreed to try and get her loot back. The deal is if there's a recovery of goods it is split 50-50. That's how Travis McGee lives his life on his houseboat the Busted Flush. When someone cannot, through legal means, get their wealth back from someone who stole it, Travis is their last resort. He is very, very good at his job, he's smart, stealthy and looks disarmingly trustworthy. He uses these skills and his brain to outwit thieves, murderers and other evil. But Travis finds he has his hands full with Junior Allen. Travis comes across a string of victims and winning back his client's loot is the least of his problems.MacDonald writes so believably that you find yourself expecting to meet Travis McGee if you went down to Florida looking for his houseboat The Busted Flush. MacDonald gives you full access to Travis' inner thoughts, worries, plans and beliefs. It's quite thought provoking meanderings and makes the reader think about how they think about things. That's one of the things I love about Travis McGee novels. The strong, meaty mysteries are also like catnip to a cat, one sniff and you'll need another fix and another and another. Thankfully, John D. MacDonald was a prolific writer so if you haven't tried him, dive in, the water's great!

Bought this book because I have really enjoyed all of Lee Child's books and it was recommended to me. Great depth in the writing and a really engaging story. It was a change to what I have been reading recently (Lee Child, James Patterson, Denis Lehane) and I was pleasantly surprised by this book!

Che bello scoprire un autore di gialli datati senza che siano noiosi. I personaggi sono credibili, la simpatia per gli indifesi autentica, la lingua molto curata e fuori dalle espressioni stereotipate. Una lettura decisamente gradevole.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book; nothing pretentious about it. Straight forward, masterful, and very human. I will be reading this series right through the summer.