Darker Than Amber

A Travis McGee Novel, Book 7

By: John D. MacDonald

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Travis McGee never shies away from damsels in distress. But this Eurasian beauty was different. When Travis and Meyer rescued her from the water, she had a block of cement wired to her feet, and she wasn't so much grateful as ready to snare them in a murder racket to end all murders.

©1966 John D. MacDonald Publishing, Inc. Renewal © 1994 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)

Enjoyable Listen

The seventh book in the Travis McGee series, Darker Than Amber, is another solid, straight-forward mystery from John D. MacDonald. According to the description, "Travis McGee never shies away from damsels in distress. But this Eurasian beauty was different. When Travis and Meyer rescued her from the water, she had a block of cement wired to her feet, and she wasn't so much grateful as ready to snare them in a murder racket to end all murders." Published in 1966, this novel is still an enjoyable read, especially the Audible Original version.

Fans of modern-day mysteries and thrillers may find that this book is a little slow. Rather than think of it as slow, I like to think that it's methodical and deliberate in its pacing. If you're looking for a novel that moves at breakneck speed, look elsewhere. What you're provided with here is a well-written and intriguing tale that's effectively narrated.

Darker Than Amber was adapted for film in 1970, illustrating just how successful and influential the Travis McGee books were and are. If you're looking for an enjoyable audiobook to listen to this fall, then Darker Than Amber is an Audible Original you should check out.

Finally!

If you could sum up Darker Than Amber in three words, what would they be?

Great John D story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Travis is the King

Any additional comments?

I have been waiting so long for these to come to Audible. The original cassettes with Darrin McGavin will be hard to replace but the narrator does a great job and THANK YOU for getting these available!

MacDonald hits his stride

One of the best Travis McGee novels and the first where McGee's friend Meyer takes a prominent role in solving the mystery.

Without giving away any of the plot the action takes off immediately with a beautiful girl falling almost into McGee's lap.And of course, she's in need of his help.

With plenty of plot turns and craftiness, McGee uses his charm, bulk and libido to come to solve the situation he's uncovered and to right the wrongs, but not before he's damaged, emotionally and physically.

Although written in 1966, the story has aged well, and is well worth the price of admission.

Petkoff's reading is masterful, as we've come to expect.

Good old Travis with a troubled soul

Good old Travis is as honest as it is possible for a hero of that period of the turmoil in the American culture.

Excellent!

What can I say?! I really enjoyed this one, and it was really odd to see old McGee going through an entire adventure without winding up in bed with ANY of the female characters! He didn't even get shot or stabbed this time around either! But it was still a great story!

True Trev‼️

I enjoyed the story the way the narrator read the story and the way the plot developed….
As usual I will continue to read these McGee
books‼️👀

Travis sucked into dealing with nasty people

Until now the pattern is Travis trying to help someone he sympathises with. In this case he is trying to wipe out an evil hang. Perhaps he sympathised with the murdered victims. Myer plays an important role. Many details including the cruise ship that plays a role reflect an earlier era. Travis continues to endanger himself. Perhaps that helps demonstrate how bad the bad guys are.

At last, but hoping for a better Meyer

If you could sum up Darker Than Amber in three words, what would they be?

Meyer too gentile

What was one of the most memorable moments of Darker Than Amber?

Lots of Meyer love.

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

I liked Petkoff's voice and reading style for McGee, somewhat understated which was nice. He didn't try and tough guy it up thank god.

However, I was a bit disappointed with Petkoff's take on Meyer. I love Meyer and I've had his voice in my head for a long time. MacDonald clearly wrote Meyer as a mensch. He's a retiree in Ft. Lauderdale for pete's sake. Petkoff doesn't capture that, way too gentile.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

If you haven't read or listened to McGee, you're in for a treat. I've been waiting a long time for a good commercial production of the McGee novels.

Any additional comments?

I'm a hardcore McGee fan. My monitor background is a 1964 view of Bahia Mar where I can point out, to anyone who cares (i.e. no one) where slip F-18 is.

Classic Travis McGee

This and Bright Orange for her Shroud are my two favorite McGee novels. My only complaint about the performance is that I always imagined Myer to have as deeper professorial voice. His books are a time capsule of the zeitgeist of early 1960’s.

A man from the first half of the 20th century

These are classic mystery stories written at a time when $10,000.00 was equal to $100,000.00 in today dollars. Also men and women had different rolls. If you take that into the balance of the story, you can enjoy the mystery, and how Trav solves each problem he encounters. I have started with book one, and have now completed book 7. They all get better I have found. Just have to get used to some of the dated language and interplay between characters. It's not 2012, but late 1960's. I still find the stories really well written and have enough mystery and strange turns of events to make each Travis McGee story a gem.