Rating: 
Summary: What a great book and character!
Review: I was a little suspicious of this, being that it was written in the sixties, and I'm not such a big fan of that period, but MacDonald's writing is timeless. I am now a huge Travis McGee fan. He writes very well, and gives just enough character development to keep you interested without going overboard. He also carves a mean plot line with lots of twists and turns.Take a chance on this one...you'll be like me...aching to read the rest of the McGee series.
Rating: 
Summary: A treasure from the past...
Review: I'm an avid reader of mysteries and I thought I had a basic knowledge of all the prolific writers (even though I haven't sampled all their works). But when a friend recommended John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series, it wasn't even on my radar screen. I started this series with the first book, The Deep Blue Good-By, and was completely blown away!
Travis McGee is a combination of a Mickey Spillane and a Dashiell Hammett character. McGee is a beach bum who lives on the houseboat, cruises chicks, enjoys the good life, and does as little work as possible. When the money runs out, he acts as a modern day Robin Hood-helping those who have been swindled recover their losses (for a percentage, or course). But what makes McGee so much fun is that he is a lovable rake with an astute sense of the world and the people around him, which sometimes borders on brilliance. Having attending the University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse and Harvard, MacDonald is no slouch, either. Some of McGee's musings include:
"A woman who does not guard and treasure herself cannot be of much value to anyone else. They become a pretty little convenience, like a guest towel."
and
"A man with a credit card is in hock to his own image of himself."
The plot is fast paced, and will keep you turning pages as quickly as possible. And while McGee seems to solve at least part of the mystery, the ending isn't entirely happy. The Deep Blue Good-By is definitely a book with an edge. While written in the early 1960's, this story could have been written today except for the absence of cell phones and computers.
The only reason I gave The Deep Blue Good-By four stars instead of five is that at 144 pages, it is just a little light. But I am happy to have discovered this entertaining series, and have already started the second book, Nightmare in Pink.
Rating:
Summary: Easy Reading
Review: This is a great book! John MacDonald is an amazing author who creates very vivid and easygoing characters. Travis McGee is my hero. MacDonald puts a unique spin on life and makes a very accurate portrayal of Florida in his story. A must read for any mystery lover. It's very easy reading and besides, Jimmy Buffett read the whole series so it must be good!
Rating:
Summary: An Appetite Whetter
Review: This is the first of the Travis McGee books and quickly establishes why they have been so popular for so long. From the opening page the atmosphere is totally relaxed as we are welcomed aboard Travis' houseboat, The Busted Flush. Travis works only when he has to, which means, just before he runs out of money. The rest of the time he spends lazing around the Florida waters, living the good life. He is coaxed into action by the bad-luck story of a friend of a friend and quickly and professionally gets to work coming to her rescue. On the way, he acts as a knight in shining armour to a second woman who desperately needs help, going above and beyond the call of duty, firmly entrenching him as a helluva nice guy. This book was written almost 30 years ago, yet it is fresh enough to make one believe that it is set in today's world. It's an excellent introduction to the world of Travis McGee and has certainly whetted my appetite for more. Travis McGee is the ultimate laid back hero who carries his flaws as humbly as his talents.
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