The Deep Blue Goodbye

"Blue" is the first Travis McGee novel by master American storyteller John D. MacDonald. McGee emerges here with his persona fully developed. McGee is a self-styled "salvage consultant": if something that is rightfully yours has been taken from you and you have no legal recourse for getting it back, McGee will retrieve it for a 50% commission. This usually involves McGee having to confront some truly dangerous characters. (Here a genuine human monster named Junior Allen.) MacDonald, via McGee, uses these novels to make observations about the state of the world (particularly Florida) and insights about the human condition. This book is a great introduction to all the color-titled adventures that come later. Great stuff! -- LKM