
The Deep Blue Good-By
A Travis McGee Novel, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Robert Petkoff
He's a self-described beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. He's also a knight errant who's wary of credit cards, retirement benefits, political parties, mortgages, and television. He only works when his cash runs out, and his rule is simple: he'll help you find whatever was taken from you, as long as he can keep half.
Nothing that John D. MacDonald wrote is better loved and more enduring than the 21 books in his series about Travis McGee, the Florida-based “salvage consultant” who recovers property for a fee so he can take his retirement “a piece at a time”. Narrator Robert Petkoff, hand-chosen to narrate with the approval of MacDonald’s estate, brings McGee’s world of the Busted Flush (his houseboat, which he won in a poker game) and “Miss Agnes” (his custom Rolls-Royce pickup truck) to vivid life.
©1964 John D. MacDonald Publishing, Inc. Renewal © 1992 Maynard MacDonald (P)2012 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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Any additional comments?
First book in the long-running Travis McGee series. In this one, a woman’s dead father had hidden something valuable on their property and she was swindled out of it by his old Army buddy, an abusive rapist. Well-written and fun. You can see the influence on Michael Connelly, Stephen King (style not substance) and others.Strong start to series
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― John D. MacDonald, The Deep Blue Good-By
Moments of brilliance mixed with standard, hard-boiled detective fair. This wasn't my first John D. MacDonald, or even my first Travis McGee, but it is the first book in the series. Technically, I think he published the first three novels in three months, so there has to be some Irish Triplets thing going, but I'm not smart enough to figure out what to call it when you launch a series so fast (a three-round burst?).
While one doesn't need to read MacDonald's novels in order, he does capture the culture of America from the 60s to the 70s and I'm sure someone could (and should) write a novel about American culture, sex, economics, and politics as explored sequentially in Travis McGee novels.
Having read about 2/3 of this series as I reflect back on this one, it isn't near the top. It is good, and solid, but mainly serves to introduce the audience to the idea of McGee. So, we get the background story, and a basic framework for what will end up driving the following 20 novels in the series:
* Something is taken.
* Travis McGee reluctantly recovers something that has been taken.
* He gets paid for it.
* Perhaps, the payment is not worth the cost of getting it back.
Fair warning, MacDonald's take on women and sex in these books reflects the era. In many ways, MacDonald reminds me of a more intellectual and American version of Ian Fleming. But just don't jump into these books expecting to run into Gloria Steinem.
The Travis McGee Series is Born
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Any additional comments?
I hadn't read a Travis McGee book in years. I remembered that I liked the Florida and shoreline ambience. His foes are always supervillains and die spectacularly badly. Unfortunately, this one had a truly terrible victim--one I found little sympathy for. Anyway, the ambience is there, and T. McGee is still the hard-boiled softy! I thought that the book was read well and it's worth a listen when you want sheer entertainment--that's why you buy a Travis McGee! Warning: if you read it at the beach you'll keep glancing over your shoulder. . .Well, it's a Travis McGee novel--
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New Read for me
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Would you listen to The Deep Blue Good-By again? Why?
Intriguing story. I am trying to listen to it for the 3rd time because I listen when I go to bed and even though I set the app into sleep mode for the shortest time available (15 min), I still fall asleep and miss something crucial to the story. So I listen over and over again until I get the story. This one is worth listening to again and again.Who was your favorite character and why?
Travis McGee because he comes across as free and easy slacker but when somone needs his help, he helps anyway he can.The Deep Blue Good-by
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Looking forward to more of Travis McGee!
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What did you love best about The Deep Blue Good-By?
Terriffic characterizations, even for the minor players. They come alive! Even though this was written in 1964, it's not the least bit dated.Who was your favorite character and why?
Louise, because she recovers her self resepect despite the abuse of her former lover.Which scene was your favorite?
Thrilling hand-to-hand combat in the dark on a boat in the middle of the ocean.If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
When a woman needs a hero!Any additional comments?
I hope they record every one of the Travis McGee books.A great yarn, beautifully read
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I'd love to read more about trav!
interesting concept for the main character,
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Author of Words put together well...
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What did you love best about The Deep Blue Good-By?
The voice of this narrator was perfect for the role and did really well with female voices. I really enjoyed the story, kind of a throw back to James Bond.What did you like best about this story?
The detail in the narrator's thoughts.Which scene was your favorite?
Bad guy bobbing on an anchor.Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
NoGreat narrator!
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