A Purple Place for Dying: A Travis McGee Novel

It had been several years since I last read a John D. MacDonald Travis McGee novel. I'm not sure why I waited so long, as I always enjoyed them. I suppose I simply was distracted by so many other books, writers, and series of stories. I'm very glad I returned to MacDonald and McGee to read "A Purple Place for Dying."I love mystery stories, and MacDonald is as good as it gets. He's in the same league as Raymond Chandler, Ross Macdonald (no connection), and Travis McGee could be playing on the same team as Philip Marlowe and Lew Archer. Also like Marlowe and Archer, McGee is a product of his time. Marlowe's time was primarily the 40s, while Archer's and McGee's was the 60s and 70s. None of these wonderful stories were throwbacks written about an earlier time. Each was contemporaneous, written at the time of the story's setting.I mention the time of the writing and setting because MacDonald didn't write Travis McGee stories looking back in time, applying the mores and knowledge of a later time to the past. A Purple Place for Dying was written and set in 1964, and the dynamics of society, and particularly of the Southwest, of that era apply. MacDonald knew them well. This was only Travis McGee's third outing, so MacDonald was still fleshing out the man that we know and love, today. Today's reader must remember that people didn't look at our society, then, as we do, now.With all of that as background, our boy Travis is a retired salvage expert. No, he's not an older man who retired in the traditional sense. We don't know exactly how old he is, but late thirties would be a good guess. He decided to retire in small increments while he was young enough to enjoy it, and live on whatever money he had at the time. When his cash ran low, he'd take a salvage job. No, he's not a salvage expert in the traditional sense, either. He helps people recover something that was stolen or taken from them, and he takes half of what he recovers.So, it's 1964, and a friend has recommended McGee to a friend of hers whom Travis might be able to help. Travis is running low on cash--down to his emergency stash--so he agrees to accept a plane ticket and travel west to a small town in what might be Arizona, although we're never told explicitly. Travis isn't sure whether this is the right job for him, or whether he can even help the lady with whom he's corresponded, but he's willing to look and listen to her story.What at first seems to be a story of infidelity and some big-time thievery, quickly turns into murder, missing persons, greed, and revenge. As one might expect with all of that going on, our boy Trav is pulled into the investigation, at first over the objections of the local County Sheriff, and then at the Sheriff's request for help.MacDonald writes the McGee stories in first person, and his stories are loaded with dialog. He's a good hand at storytelling.I read a quote from him: “The reader always wants to know what happens next, whether he’s reading The Brothers Karamazov, David Copperfield or Hemingway. If what happens next is purely physical, then you’ve got Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer shooting his initials in somebody’s midsection. If what happens is spiritual, maybe you’re reading biblical chapters to find out what happened with Moses and the Red Sea. If it’s intellectual, you’re reading to find out maybe whether they are going to discover a cure for herpes. What happens next is the thing that keeps people reading, and the more important the next [thing is], then the more important the work is.”Yeah, I can agree with that. I also agree that MacDonald fulfills that reader request. He always keeps us informed and aware of what happens next.I'm glad I returned to MacDonald and McGee for this story. I'm looking for the next one. You will, too.

This one takes a little time to get going, but when it does, it flies along just fine. I have read this series multiple times. I think I read 3-4 of them annually because the writing is just wonderful. The later ones are more developed, but you can see the character here that is true to the end of the series. Read and enjoy!!!

The books in this series take you to a time before worldwide media, instant access technology, and superhuman characters. MacDonald's McGee is just a man who is honest to a fault. It is refreshing and makes me look forward to the next novel.

First two books were only 4 stats, but this one was definitely a 5! Great intrigue, not easy to guess what was going to happen and kept me in tangled until the end

Not enough adventure on the water and around boats/marinas. Almost entirely in the desert, but a decent read as a who dunnit

A Purple Place for Dying is one of the more twisted Travis McGee novels. The third in the series, it’s one of the landlocked adventures in the early books. The novel is also one of the most surprising with the shocking murder taking place in the opening pages.The cast of characters that glide through the pages are an interesting and over-the-top bunch, but they’re also very true to the kind of people they are. I grew up in an area that feels a lot like the setting for the book. Jass Yeoman is a lot like the tough cowboy types I grew up with, hard drinking, hard fisted men that didn’t back down from anything. The college professor and his doting sister seem really out of place in today’s world, but I can remember when people like this were almost – but not quite – the norm.The mystery is a breezy concoction that holds together well and kept me guessing. I’d read the book years ago but had forgotten exactly who was behind everything that was going on. Reading it now at my age, I’m sure I understand a lot more of what John D. MacDonald was talking about. I probably just focused on the action and enjoyed the read.I like the confrontation that took place between McGee and the sheriff, and how McGee kept outmaneuvering the lawman and ending up doing exactly what he wanted to do. The scene with the fireplace and the money, with McGee’s pride on the line, is also striking.Some of the story feels a little dated, and maybe people have changed now from what they were then, but MacDonald had an eye for crafting people and situations that revealed so much of Americana at the time. He’s always a good read, and I love Travis McGee’s outlook on life. I’m having a blast taking another tour down the past with these books.

It's a good book to read while lying in the sun with a cold glass of ice tea or lemonade.

My first return to JMcD's TMcG series for over 20 years and it's as good as I remember. Pared-down writing style, succinct dialogue and a broad range of distinctive characters. That's what I remembered and that's what it has. No modern day 500 page bloating - all over in half the acreage and all the better for it. Present day authors please take note. Does it feel dated? Nope - because it was so contemporary the reader's right back in the right time zone from the start. You don't notice the lack of mobile / cellphone, laptop / tablet etc. Why would you? You don't notice no cars in Pride & Prejudice. It's not a Florida-based storyline so if you're new to the series it lacks that trademark trope. However, it's still got a convincing 'small town / local sheriff' feel to it. Time for another one, what colour's Florida?

I have been reading these books since the 60's and you cannot get a more enjoyable read. Travis McGee, his friend Meyer and the busted Flush, plus all the antics that go on make for one of the best book series I have ever read. Try one and I will bet you can't put it down!

If you've never read any of John D.McDonald's 'Travis McGee' books, you're missing out on a good thing !The review writers with names like, Stephen King, & Ed McBain, speak for themselves.Well Written & Well Crafted.A Joy to read.

wonderful thanks

this is entertaining light reading one of the interests is that its set in 60,70 so many things like cell phones don't exist , it does make you question social values , I wouldn't suggest it for younger readers say under 20