• Nightmare in Pink

  • A Travis McGee Novel, Book 2
  • By: John D. MacDonald
  • Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
  • Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,356 ratings)

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Nightmare in Pink  By  cover art

Nightmare in Pink

By: John D. MacDonald
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
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Publisher's summary

Nina - a career girl living alone in Manhattan - offers Travis McGee companionship and the first loose thread in the elaborate fabric of a gigantic swindle. Now, she's leading McGee on a wild and tortuous chase into the decadent world of high society, the ruthless world of big money, and the weird world of hallucinatory drugs.

©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)

What listeners say about Nightmare in Pink

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    656
  • 4 Stars
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    354
  • 3 Stars
    187
  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best all time

Still one of the Greats! McGee never gets old and the stories are always great. Like a soft shoe.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

McGee at his worst

Travis is at his most self-righteous, lecturing and misogynistic in this weirdo early effort. JDM was still trying to figure out what to do with a serial character at this point. A decent period piece, but pretty depressing.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Hallucinations

A crazy story and McGee, the ever chivalrous male, is completely satisfied sexually. Ever wonder how people can see such a different view of themselves? Here is the classic example of what is in the soul is not what the self sees in the mirror reflection.

Too weird to listen to again.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator did not get character right

Any additional comments?

The narrator does not seem to understand the character. His voice is flat when there should be emotion and anger or flippant when there should be compassion. It was odd and annoying to have the reader so disconnected from the character. Otherwise the story was good.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Reminded Me of Farewell My Lovely

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. I love the McGee books but this one was somewhat implausible.

What was most disappointing about John D. MacDonald’s story?

I think that the villains seemed too 'restrained' to be plausible.

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

His voice and style seem to fit the character/genre.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Meh. Out of curiosity...

Any additional comments?

Some reviewers seem to not grasp that this book was written in 1964.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Well read, but very dated.

This reads like the story of a kid who just discovered adult love. Nothing graphic, but so much mystical musing that you lose track of the story. I couldn't finish it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book.

Good entertaining storyline and I look forward to another excellent book by John D. MacDonald.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great escape fiction that will take you back.

John MacDonald's creation of Travis McGee took me back to a time when I wore a younger man's clothes (as the song says). It was a time win one had to go to a land line to make a phone call and men and women lived in very strict observance of certain imagined roles for the sexes. Travis McGee is that macho, trouble shooter who is also caring and compassionate and the women in his life are "very female" but surprisingly tough in their own way. After all life is never as neat and clean as it should be and the tasks the main charter takes on are never as neat and clean as they should be either. The plot is always fast moving and the presentation of the characters by Robert Petkoff adds to the whole. So take an afternoon and step back to a world where absolutes still exist and let your memory and imagination play with each other. I liked it and I hope you do too.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Tearing Through the Series

Travis McGee and Meyer are a compelling duo. Start at the beginning and I dare you to stop.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well worth a listen

What made the experience of listening to Nightmare in Pink the most enjoyable?

Listened while riding my Goldwing

What did you like best about this story?

I'm a Travis McGee fan from WAY back.

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

He brings the characters to life

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1 person found this helpful