• The Deep Blue Good-By

  • A Travis McGee Novel, Book 1
  • By: John D. MacDonald
  • Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
  • Length: 6 hrs
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (4,836 ratings)

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The Deep Blue Good-By  By  cover art

The Deep Blue Good-By

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

He's a self-described beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. He's also a knight errant who's wary of credit cards, retirement benefits, political parties, mortgages, and television. He only works when his cash runs out, and his rule is simple: he'll help you find whatever was taken from you, as long as he can keep half.

Nothing that John D. MacDonald wrote is better loved and more enduring than the 21 books in his series about Travis McGee, the Florida-based “salvage consultant” who recovers property for a fee so he can take his retirement “a piece at a time”. Narrator Robert Petkoff, hand-chosen to narrate with the approval of MacDonald’s estate, brings McGee’s world of the Busted Flush (his houseboat, which he won in a poker game) and “Miss Agnes” (his custom Rolls-Royce pickup truck) to vivid life.

©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 The Deep Blue Good-By

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,830
  • 4 Stars
    1,539
  • 3 Stars
    971
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,619
  • 4 Stars
    1,309
  • 3 Stars
    886
  • 2 Stars
    307
  • 1 Stars
    172

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic story; exceptional narration!

This may be my favorite MacDonald story. There isn't much that can be assumed through this entire thing. Just when you think McGee is going to wrap it up, MacDonald turns the story on its head and takes you in a new direction. This is a thrill ride of a book. Robert Petkoff is fabulous as the narrator. He delivers a stellar performance.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good read. Worth the time

Considering the era this was written, a good departure from Alien's, zombies and space travel.

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

A lot of description not much action

Not as good as The watch, the girl.
Well written but not much happening.
Takes place in the 60’s
It’s interesting in flashback sense
Not written in a PC fashion
A bit of preaching with a conservative bent much like Koontz
Overall I like the writing style. Ending was a bit of a let down.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book and narrator. I'm getting the series.

I could not stop listening. I will definitely finish the series. It was a nail bitter till the end.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing. Just amazing.

What a discovery! I am not drawn to books that are not written closer to the time we’re in. This book and writer are the exception. Amazing book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another in a long line of Travis Mcgee greats!

I enjoyed Travis once again! John McDonald again spins a web of adventure and intrigue as he demonstrates again that he is America's greatest storyteller.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible Story- Superlative Series!!!()|

Travis McGhee is THE standard by which all gumshoe stories aspire to achieve.
Simply Brilliant!!! Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story good reading

This is a good intro to John Macdonald and Travis Magee. I will read or listen to more of the series.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Has its ups and downs...

The plot keeps you interested, but the story can drag. Sorry to say the narrator did not help.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Guy must love chicks

Ending was pretty good and the story held your interest. But this guy uses a lot of filler most of which consist of detailed physical descriptions of every female in the book. It was overboard. I really hope he doesn't write a book set in a nursing home.

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