One Fearful Yellow Eye

A Travis McGee Novel, Book 8

By: John D. MacDonald

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

How to you extort $600,000 from a dying man? Someone had done it very quietly and skilfully to the husband of Travis McGee's ex-girlfriend. McGee flies to Chicago to help untangle the mess and discovers that, although Dr. Fortner Geis had led an exemplary life, there were those who'd take advantage of one "indiscretion" and bring down the whole family. McGee also discovers he likes a few members of the family far too much to let that happen....

©1966 John D. MacDonald Publishing, Inc. Renewal © 1994 Maynard MacDonald (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

McGee Does the Second City

"A man will let his money be taken only when the alternative is something he cannot endure."
- John D. MacDonald, One Fearful Yellow Eye

McGee Does the Second City. I liked it, but didn't love it. Sometimes MacDonald takes McGee away from Florida and it seems to almost work, but I still think I prefer McGee on a boat to McGee in Chicago, in the snow. As a favor to an old flame, McGee goes to Chicago because her ex-husband's estate has been emptied and the relatives all think she did it. McGee looks into the hows and whys of the money disappearing. McGee's views (and I'd presume to a bit MacDonald's) on homosexuals and Blacks appear in this novel and they are nearly there, but only reach the uncanny valley of sensitivity towards other groups:

"I'm always skeptical of the male who makes a big public deal about how he hates fairies, how they turn his stomach, how he'd like to beat the hell out of them. The queens are certainly distasteful, but the average homosexual in the visual and performing arts is usually a human being a little bit brighter and more perceptive than most."

I have to remind myself that this was published in 1966. He is growing. Language like that was seen as progressive in the 60s, in certain circles. Hell, language like that might sound progressive in Texas, Idaho, or Arizona in certain circles now. I seem to always find areas where MacDonald nearly writes a perfect novel, but a couple things just block it for me. He is one of those writers I keep coming back from and keep ending up just a bit frustrated (and not just because I keep wanting to enroll him in sensitivty training classes). His books have the potential for real genius and the more I read the more I see this potential. Individually, however, this book doesn't get close.

Winter in Chicago and a Nightmare From the Past

Travis McGee receives a call for help from his old friend Glory Doyle; her husband Fortner Geis a noted surgeon died of cancer and $400,000 1968 dollars is missing with no trail. Both of the doctor's Children feel certain that Glory is behind the loss of their inheritance so she gets no support from those who were part of his life before they met. As Travis ambles around Chicago talking to the family and friends of the doctor he begins to discern patterns in the events of the last year on the good doctor and his loved ones.
An emergency summons blows the case open and the doctors's beautiful but repressed daughter reveals a morass of Freudian feelings about daddy. Her next move of course is to jump Travis momentarily; then immediately puts the brakes on her libido but a breakthrough has happened. They agree that this mutual attraction should progress.
However unknown to all but one character in this book an evil from the past is influencing current events and will come to effect McGee and those he holds dear and will; in the end touch everyone in the Geis family.
With certain exceptions along the way I enjoyed this book. As is per usual MacDonald's plot is solid, the story moves quickly containing just enough detail to flesh out the story line without bogging it down and though his view of women predates the baby boom era even the female characters are rounded and well formed. Plus his strength in story telling make this a compelling read and or listen. One reservation is the reader; perhaps someone should have explained to him that this wasn't Shakespeare or even Wuthering Heights.

It seems over but then it gets REALLY interesting!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! It's flawlessly constructed.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Travis McGee is brutish and intuitive.

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

Well, this series is all about Travis McGee--a very interesting fellow.

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

Cant tell you--it would spoil it. :-)

Any additional comments?

Enjoy!

Still love John D.

Where does One Fearful Yellow Eye rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a very good listen while driving.

What was one of the most memorable moments of One Fearful Yellow Eye?

Travis extricating himself from the grasp of a lonely, hot housewife.

Exceptional Series

I am on my 20th book from this series, which I started reading just a few weeks ago. They all seem to blend together but they're all very good. Start at #1 and work your way through.

A nice suprise

I hadn't expected the way this one would end. The twists near the end caught me completely by suprise. An excellent book!

Just the Best!

Where does One Fearful Yellow Eye rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

MacDonald's stories are complex yet rather easy to follow and very entertaining. The author has that rare talent for lulling the reader into thinking the story is over but then springs a real shocker at the end.

What did you like best about this story?

Aside from a terrific and entertaining plot, MacDonald inserts his own philosophy about people that brings life and vitality to the story. And even though the books were written in the 1960s, his world views seem very contemporary.

What about Robert Petkoff’s performance did you like?

Robert Petkoff could read the dictionary and make it sound exciting. When he changes voices to reflect the many and varied characters you think that there must be more than just Petkoff speaking. And, unlike some narrators, Robert doesn't sound like he's reading. Travis McGee becomes real, the characters become real, and the story becomes real. And all the while someone is telling this crasy story.

A fun read

I first read most of John D McDonald's novels at first printing. This book was a fun read then. Today, I listened to the audio version and enjoyed it for some of the same reasons, but I found any references to cost, technology, and the relative values of the time most interesting. To say I was impressed with the plot/story line, writing today as much as I did in the 60's would be misleading. JOHN D. just doesn't match up to current mystery writers like Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy, or even Clive Cussler. However, this is still a fun read.

Intriguing Mystery

One Fearful Yellow Eye, which is a strange title for a book, is about extortion. To be more specific, it’s about extorting $600,000 from a dying man. The victim of this extortion is the husband of Travis McGee’s ex-girlfriend. Set in Chicago, this mystery is a nice change of pace for the series.

Many of McGee’s adventures take place in Florida. Having this one set in Chicago is a welcome change. After all, this is the eighth book in the series. It’s best to toss in some variety to keep things interesting for fans of the series, as well as newcomers.

The narrator, as always, does a fine job with guiding the listener through a well-woven tale of mystery and intrigue. I don’t want to get into many more details because that would spoil the story. However, I will say this: if you’ve enjoyed other books in this series, you’ll like this one. It’s another solid read.

McGee or McGoo

Reviewiers have longe wondered whether Travis is actually a modern embodiment of the Irish chieftain mcGoo who myth has it and as half man, half chimera and half vindicator. I know the answer but am not telling.

loved it. on to the next Travis novel

loved it. on to the next Travis novel. start at the beginning this time. Good reads.