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Dead Low Tide  By  cover art

Dead Low Tide

By: John D. MacDonald
Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
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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.

What listeners say about Dead Low Tide

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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8 people found this helpful

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

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.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Horrible reading

Ruins a fairly good book. Poor reading is inexcusable . Need more words, repeat these please

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1 person found this helpful

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

Reminiscent

While in high school I fell in love with the Travis McGee series and wanted a story I could get lost in to avoid the world’s troubles for a spell. While not a McGee script, it served its purpose and was enjoyed.

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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 who dunnit!

Enjoy this story with many twists and surprises. It is a book you won’t want to put 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

Gripping from beginning to end

I stayed “glued” to the audio from beginning to end. If you are a John D McDonald fan (and I am) you will not be disappointed. The visual pictures are staggering, and the ending also sudden and unexpected.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Cup of Tea

Not my “cup of tea”. Reading was terrible! Story was weak not up to par.

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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