A Purple Place for Dying

A Travis McGee Novel, Book 3

By: John D. MacDonald

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

A Purple Place for Dying finds Travis McGee witness to a murder he can't prove and a kidnapping nobody wants to believe. McGee becomes a pawn between a wealthy Southwestern patriarch, the law, and a mysterious gang bent on insurance fraud. Just the kind of thing McGee revels in!

©1964 John D. MacDonald Publishing, Inc. Renewal © 1992 Maynard MacDonald (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[T]he great entertainer of our age, and a mesmerizing storyteller." (Stephen King)

"[M]y favorite novelist of all time." (Dean Koontz)

"[W]hat a joy that these timeless and treasured novels are available again." (Ed McBain)

Another great story

I first read this book in the 70’s. Still a great read(listen). Still love Travis McGee

A man from the first half of the 20th century

These are classic mystery stories written at a time when $10,000.00 was equal to $100,000.00 in today dollars. Also men and women had different rolls. If you take that into the balance of the story, you can enjoy the mystery, and how Trav solves each problem he encounters. I have started with book one, and have now completed book 7. They all get better I have found. Just have to get used to some of the dated language and interplay between characters. It's not 2012, but late 1960's. I still find the stories really well written and have enough mystery and strange turns of events to make each Travis McGee story a gem.

John MacDonald at his best

Would you listen to A Purple Place for Dying again? Why?

I did listen to it again. It was worth a second listen.

What did you like best about this story?

Actually, Travis McGee story keeps my attention.

Have you listened to any of Robert Petkoff’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I do not believe I have listened to Petkoff's performance but I never pay that much attention to the performer unless he is bad.
Then I make a note not to get other books by him.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It surprised me. It was very well written. Lots of twists.

First MacDonald

This was my first MacDonald book. Will I will be sure to listen to the rest of the series. Good Listen to on the road!!!

A blast from the past.

Would you listen to A Purple Place for Dying again? Why?

Yes. Except for The Hardy Boys, Travis McGee was my first serial character. His villains are bad, his damsels are vulnerable and this man knows what his values are. Who else would hit a bad guy with a sapphire? Plus he has his own brand of sex therapy. What's not to like? I still love to hear Travis' thoughts on the condition of our changing culture. Was it really so obvious then? In the 70's a reviewer described John D MacDonald as perhaps not even the best MacDonald currently writing in the genre. Now I can't remember the reviewer or the other MacDonald.

What did you like best about this story?

Revisiting an old friend.

Have you listened to any of Robert Petkoff???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. I'll be looking for more.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just a wonderful nostalgia.

Any additional comments?

Thank you. Now could you please do Mac Donadls' Condominium?

Really really good book.

Very nice book, fun to read as all the Travis Mc Gee books I have read.

Good Travis McGee Marred by Narrator's Limitations

Would you consider the audio edition of A Purple Place for Dying to be better than the print version?

No. At least not THIS version. The narrator did a fine job with men...but whenever women character's came about, and there is one woman is is a main character throughout the book, they sounded like Muppets...which was really distracting.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not so much this one. It is sort of a mystery by the numbers, not a lot of twits or surprises, but MacDonald is a good and descriptive author that the reader is compelled to follow the trail.

What didn’t you like about Robert Petkoff’s performance?

As I mentioned earlier...he cannot perform in women's voices without sounding like a animated squirrel or Muppet...which became very distracting for me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Just the dialogue as written. MacDonald can take the description of a woman's clothed rear end and allow the reader to visualize the character, and does so without becoming pornographic or silly.

Any additional comments?

The third in the McGee series, really begins to hit its stride after a strong opening and a weak sophomore offering.

good

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, depending if they like audio books

What did you like best about this story?

simple

What does Robert Petkoff bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like audio books better personal preferance

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

plain and simlpe

Any additional comments?

no

a true Travis classic,

Good story keeps you guessing. Realistic characters described well. I enjoyed this book. It doesn't disappoint.

The original and still best.

In an era where crime thrillers overwhelm the shelves (or phones for those audibly inclined) it’s fun to go back and visit the kinds of characters that inspired today’s great crime writers. Travis McGee, the ropy, gangling beach bum whose bohemian lifestyle of the 60’s aboard his houseboat the Busted Flush gets interrupted from time to time by damsels who need rescuing . . . and the opportunity for recovery of lost funds that can keep the boat in gas and cold ones on ice.

Yes, the writing is dated and the characters attitudes and opinions are relics of the mid 20th century. But if you relax and just let the story roll it will be a fun and rollicking ride.