Darker Than Amber: A Travis McGee Novel

A good installment in the series. No spoilers, but i was shocked the author revealed an, until now, well kept secret. Enjoy this read and the glimpse into more of Florida history and the motivations of Travis McGee.

The protagonist of this book is a tenderhearted philosopher in a South Florida Beach Bum's body. The author uses the protagonist to make points about the underside of our society. My friends and I call these passages "Rants" and the more Travis McGee books I read, the more I adore the rants.Lots of fun, but because the book was written decades ago some of the gender and race references are dated and un pc.

I read all the Travis McGee books years and years ago ago and now I'm starting over! They're as good as 40 years ago!!The

One of the greatest books in the Travis McGee collection is Darker Than Amber. I encourage you to hunt this down in collectable hardback, too. I guess I've read it more than five times in thirty years. Truly one of the best detectives in fiction is Mr. Travis McGee, who lives on a houseboat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Travis and his buddy Dr. Meyer, who is a noted economist live an interesting life solving crimes and chasing girls. John D. MacDonald was one of the greatest writers ever, and I would put him with Raymond Chandler, Robert Ludlum, and Mickey Spillane. Mr. MacDonald also has a fan in Mr. Lee Child, who writes the Jack Reacher books. Mr. Child wrote the foreword in this new format paperback. After reading this book, be sure and read the rest of the Travis McGee books as each one of them is great.

It goes without saying that the gender politics of the Travis McGee novels are hopelessly dated. Much as in the original James Bond novels, the women here are all either conniving, gold-digging whores or pure-hearted innocents desperate to be saved, with both types united in their desire to bed McGee. In this book some cringe-worthy racial elements are added, with McGee ruminating at one point that only a small percentage of American "Negros" are prepared for the freedoms the Civil Rights movement seeks for them.If you can set those elements aside, or at least chalk them up to the misguided ideas of a well-intentioned man of his times, the usual McGee pleasures are to be found here. MacDonald can flat-out write with the best of them, and the McGee novels are raised above standard detective fare by his tone of elegy. McGee's world is a dark place, and he senses that his ramshackle chivalry isn't enough to offset the forces of greed and stupidity which beset his beloved Florida. Still, there are drinks to be had and cruises to be made, and best of all, Meyer to talk with.

An excellent writer who writes clearly and interestingly. McGee is fishing with his buddy, Meyer, when from the bridge above he sees descending a long legged woman who gets tied up in his fishing line. After rescuing the fair damsel he learns of the circumstances leading up to the attempted murder and he and Meyer set out to breakup a criminal ring seeking to fleece unsuspecting rich men of their wealthand then dispose of them. A good John D MacDonald read in his characteristic vernacular.

When Travis McGee and his buddy Meyer decided to do some midnight fishing under a bridge, they never expected a lady with concrete overshoes to be dropped practically on their heads. Nor did they expect the tale the lady had to tell after being rescued. And this was a tale they couldn't walk away from..."Darker Than Amber" is one of the better Travis McGee novels, with our hero facing off against a ruthless crew. The plot moves right along to its fulfilling ending, thanks to steady direction by author John D. McDonald. Well recommended to fans of the series.

John D. MacDonald's, Travis McGee series was mostly published in the 60's and 70's, but even decades later these books stand on their own. The stroies are maybe a little dated and by todays standards Travis would be considered a bit of a chauvinist. However, he is still the knight in tarnished armor that trys his level best to get back what has been taken from the innocent (for half the proceeds, of course).The books are fast moving and exciting. The locations are interesting (mostly South Florida) and the main character is not a Superman, he is a flawed, but driven individual that is capable of mistakes and lapeses in judgement. I have read and re-read all of these books over the years and have enjoyed them each and every time so I am happy to see them finally published on kindle.One small issue: I thought the kindle price was a bit high. These books are 200 to 300 pages long and were written around 40 years ago. I guess I thought they would be a few dollars less in price... I'll probably still get most of them, just maybe one at a time instead of all at once.

wonderful book if you go to florida as a snowbird..it's a great trip on memory lane and a good thriller

Typical John D. MacDonald !If you've NOT yet read any of his books, you're missing out.A excellent read !

great thanks

Usual good stuff

“Darker Than Amber” doesn’t live up to the standards and expectations that John D. MacDonald was noted for. Far too much of Meyer’s philosophical pontification and not nearly enough of the brutal physicality that readers enjoy.