A Tan and Sandy Silence: A Travis McGee Novel Paperback – July 16, 2013

There is an exceptional series of Travis McGee books, all with a color in the title, and I have read them all, most more than once. Travis is a complex character, always determined to do the right thing, often under unusual and demanding circumstances. The other characters, such as Meyer, and fascinating and well written. All the books involve mysteries, most in the south Florida area, and they accurately reflect not only the details of the place, but also the people and lifestyles of that time. Great for a vacation, or a rainy weekend.

I'm a big MacDonald fan. Naturally I enjoyed this as I have almost every one of his McGee tomes. It fell short of his best, in that there was a surfeit of gratuitous violence. A lack of subtlety and introspection seemed to differentiate this from some of his best work. At times it felt almost like a caricature of the super violent shlock crime thrillers that populate the best seller lists. At times, poignant and pleasantly sentimental.

I'm happy to report that this book, the 13th in the series, is the best one yet, in my humble opinion, of course. And as most fans of JDM and Travis McGee know, that's really saying something.Trav always manages to get himself into some very serious predicaments, but in this case one really starts to believe there's no way he's getting out of this. For the first time in the series, we really start to get a deep look into the fallibility of McGee. We see deep into his soul, maybe for the first time. No wonder why so many famous authors think so highly of John D. Macdonald.If you haven't read this one yet, by all means do.

Here’s another terrific Travis book - wonderful characters, exciting story, lots of action, excellent writing.This book reveals more of Travis’s dark side than others I’ve read.As usual, it’s well worth your time, hope you enjoy it

A Tan and Sandy Silence is the 13th book in the Travis McGee series and it too features beach bum McGee, retired economist Meyers, and the Busted Flush. McGee is never quits on his game in this novel and knows it from letting a jealous husband with a gun on board the Busted Flush to letting a psychopath get two steps ahead of him in the Caribbean. But, McGee knows his head’s not quite right, that his reflexes have slowed, and he’s scared that he can’t pull it all together this time.McGee plays the white knight again, trying to find that wife the husband with the handgun was looking for - who happens to have been missing for several months. But, this McGee is not the kind nurturing soul you might have thunk. He’s more like an avenging angel who takes stock of a head-turning femme fatale and physically beats her into compliance.A twisted real estate deal, a psychopathic killer, and a brothel on sails round out this odd story that continues the McGee legend, but feels somehow oddly unsatisfying.

Travis had adventures more than usually dangerous. Lots of sexy gals. Meyer plays a significant roll. If you like Travis this is a book not to miss.

Another McGhee masterpiece but he is showing his age. Reflexes slowing down, etc. He is still a stud but he is slower on the uptake with younger women. A fantastic story....

How can you not love Meyer? Sure wish I had a friend like that. And Mcgee remains the slack jawed somewhat knight in tarnished armor with the rusted bent lance. Thank you John Dane Macdonald for not giving up the good fight. I will re-read these books again and again.