The Quick Red Fox

A Travis McGee Novel, Book 4

By: John D. MacDonald

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

It was the standard blackmail scheme. For years, sultry Lysa Dean's name on a movie had meant a bonanza at the box office. Now a set of pictures could mean the end of her career.

When first approached for help by lovely Dana Holtzer, Lysa's personal secretary, Travis McGee is thoroughly turned off by the tacky details. But being low on cash, and tenderly attracted by the star's intriguingly remote secretary, McGee sets out to locate his suspects -- only to find that they start turning up dead!

©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)

I just don't know

I have a number of books in this series that were gifted to me. I'm not sure they are my style. I want to like Travis McGee much more but he beds every woman he works with. I understand these were written during the sexual revolution but the stories just grate on me. The narrator is the absolute best part. Sometimes John MacDonald writes some pretty profound paragraphs. I love those wary of government paragraphs. I love some of the things Travis proclaims to believe. I just wish he weren't a womanizer.

For period writing, for good dialogue between characters, for progression of story I rate these books a 4. If Travis could keep his zipper up I would rate a 5.

One of His Best

I am a huge fan and have listened to 10 books so far. This is one of his best. I love MacDonald's descriptions and they are particularly good in this book. Getting ready to purchase another!

mediocre

I have finished my 4th or 5th book and I am getting a little tired I'm listening 2 McGees Conquest. I would rate the book right in the middle

good story with surprising ending.

entertaining story that kept me interested. easy to listen to. typical travis macgeestory and adventure.

Maybe Some Old Favorites Shouldn't Be Revisited

I totally agree with other reviewers that this series has not aged particularly well. MacDonald is good with language, and the narrator is excellent, but it's impossible to get beyond the judgmental and early-60's prejudiced tone. Cringe-worthy. The world has indeed changed, baby!

A Judgmental Tough Guy

Whose judgements frequently coincide with many of my own. But there is more to like than just outraged moral sensibilities. Crisp writing, a sharp turn of a phrase, precise delivery and impeccable observations. John McDonald through his indomitable Travis McGee Is a wickedly astute observer of the human condition.

I'm hooked!

I've read 4 of the books in this series and I am so hooked!. Robert Petkoff does such a wonderful job on the narration that I find myself searching for more books he has done.

Travis McGee is quite a character and I can't wait to read the next book.

Oldie, but Goodie

What made the experience of listening to The Quick Red Fox the most enjoyable?

I have heard raves about John D. MacDonald but never read any of his books until Audible started making them available. I have really enjoyed all that I've listened to thus far. I think the character descriptions in this one make them "visible" to the mind's eye.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

best one yet....most believable

as a person being in the mid teens during the time these books were written I really enjoy it me especially so because my family had boats and I certainly new men who were just like McGee so its not just the stories it does give a look back to how life was so much different without cell phones and the internet and all the technology we have now.....

loved it

another fine book with Travis McGee. now on to the next one. I thoroughly enjoyed it.