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

Travis McGee in Nevada

McGee leaves the boats and beaches of Florida for the great Southwest. This book; written in the mid sixties. Thus it contains some jarringly outdated ideas and opinions. McGee's Freudian analysis of Isobel is one such example. the sheriff openly admitting that he will be coming down on McGee if he bothers the rich husband of Travis' client.
However the writing style and abilities of John D. MacDonald are good enough to overcome fifty years of change. In fact I have books of his from the early fifties. In these he displays the "red menace" paranoia common to the era. Combined with the misogynistic belief that smacking the wife around to maintain is something that must be done. Despite these shortcomings I have yet to read a bad MacDonald book. A Purple Place For Dying is one of better offerings among the early Travis McGee series.

Worthy McGee

MacDonald created a character in McGee that speaks through the ages. I like the philosophical bits as much as the derring-do of the stories. Once past the arrogance of McGee as Ultimate Sexual Healer, which is a hoot, these novels still shine with wit and sadness. This one is worth the listen just to hear him talk about how corporate America and the educational system creates the robots that too many of us have become and how death alone can bring rest to those harried souls. Fair to good story, great observations about the modern man and woman's search for identity.

Classic Travis Magee

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

In some ways the audio version is better. Great way to pass the time on long drives, workouts or downtime when reading a book doesn't work well.

What other book might you compare A Purple Place for Dying to and why?

All of the other

Great listen: A Purple Place for Dying

Where does A Purple Place for Dying rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

Up among the top!

What did you like best about this story?

I love John D McDonald's books--I remember reading them decades ago when they were first published.

Which character ??? as performed by Robert Petkoff ??? was your favorite?

Travis McGee, of course

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

I love the way characters develop as the story progresses.

Any additional comments?

The reader is excellent, and the quality of the audio book is great, as usual from Audible.

The best ever

I have listened to over 2,000 audiobooks and this arguably the all time best. Subtle and complicated but truly lifelike. Regards Scott

Great fun!

Great fun and colorful prose!
Takes you back to the 60s. Simpler times.
McGee soap box rants are thought provoking.

Interesting story

While the story slowly develops, John D. winds you through the scenery and paints a vivid picture of life in a small south western town. The bad guys are a surprise but the ending is predictable and sweet.

A Purple Place for Travis

2nd go at this book after 45 years. Didn't disappint. Good story as usual from JDM.

Great Series

Great series. Will be downloading more of these. Thanks to Mike Roe for turning me on to this series!