Dead Low Tide

By: John D. MacDonald

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

A classic novel by John D. MacDonald with an exclusive introduction written and read by Dean Koontz.

Dead Low Tide is an iconic early thriller from John D. MacDonald, the mastermind behind Cape Fear and the Travis McGee novels.

On the coast of Florida, a working stiff is wrongfully accused of murdering his boss - and must outwit one of MacDonald's signature villains to save his life. A college graduate and amateur fisherman, Andy McClintock is stuck toiling in the office of a construction company. But when Andy tries to quit, his boss offers him a promotion and a raise - and then promptly kills himself with a harpoon gun. At least, that's what it looks like, until the police rule it homicide - with the murder weapon belonging to Andy. The harpoon gun had been stolen out of Andy’s garage, and the boss's wife makes the outrageous claim that she and Andy were having an affair. He's been set up. To clear his name, he'll have to find the real killer. But Andy soon discovers that he's up against more than a two-bit thief - he's been targeted by absolute evil, a monster with no compassion for his fellow man.

©1953 John D. MacDonald. Copyright renewed 1981 by John D. MacDonald. (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Clever plot twists

I listened to this book while driving tractor all day. If the book is boring or the narration is annoying I find a different book.
I actually listened to this one twice.
I enjoy the following plot line and trying to figure out what will happen next.
John D. MacDonald doesn't disappoint. The main character is a guy I can identify with. I like his girlfriend.
I don't mind the corny dialogue.
i like to spend the day in 1950's Florida with a beach and a drink and a solvable crisis rather than being in 2019 driving in circle in 95 degree Oregon heat and pulling a mower.

2 people found this helpful

Not Travis McGee, but a great read

Book is a great introduction to John D. MacDonald. Very entertaining novel. If you've read any of the Travis McGee novels, you won't be disappointed by this earlier novel.

An interesting tale of a time now passed.

This was written many years ago, before I was born. The most obvious differences are the technology, or lack of it.

a classic read . just like today's sarasota !

Good narrator. Easy to listen to.accent off sounded like Georgia instead of florida.
Our accent has got its own slightly southern style.

Early Travis

Would you consider the audio edition of Dead Low Tide to be better than the print version?

No

What other book might you compare Dead Low Tide to and why?

Travis McGee novels...but not as complex or as good, overall.

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

First time...he was ok.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Too long for that.

Any additional comments?

I'm a fan of John MacDonald but..this was not one of his best.

short and sweet

lovely stuff, simple and predictable with a few twists, yet fascinating and informative, great characters, fantastic villan worth a listen!

It Was 1953

More than sixty years have passed since this book was written and a lot has changed. That you can discern by the fact that a construction executive was working for eighty dollars a week. Then there was idea that a man had the right to kill his both his adulterous wife and her lover. Not to spoil anything but there are some opinions expressed about some photographs that indicate the morals of the time are completely different than they are today.
As my reviews on the books of John D MacDonald selections indicate I find certain prejudices and attitudes of this author abhorrent. I overcome those feelings by realizing that much of that is due to the era and my admiration of the quality of his writing. Although it's my opinion that the books he authored in the late fifties and early sixties are superior to those like this one from the early fifties, practically anything written by MacDonald is a good bet.

1 person found this helpful