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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 The dialog is a bit out of date, but the overall flow and story doesn't feel stuck in the 60s.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!
papidoc's review against another edition
3.0
The first of many Travis McGee novels by John D. MacDonald. McGee finds himself playing the part of a conflicted knight in tarnished armor, with the honorable McGee in occasional conflict with the pitchfork McGee. All does not turn out well, but enough to be a satisfying conclusion. I read this many years ago, and enjoyed revisiting it. Three treadmills!
stapilus's review against another edition
5.0
When did I read it? Long ago. But I still remember how much I enjoyed it.