Bright Orange for the Shroud (Mass Market Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

MacDonald, whose 21 Travis McGee novels represent arguably the best U.S. mystery series of the past 50 years, died in 1986, leaving behind a legion of fans. Sadly, Travis McGee seems lost amid today's hip, violent, and politically correct private eyes and series detectives, so much so that most of today's younger mystery readers may never experience this National Book Award-winning series. Yet audio producers seem committed to keeping the series alive for a new generation of readers and audiobook fans, as this example proves. Bright Orange for the Shroud tells of a dangerous confidence scheme that traps one of McGee's friends. Soon, McGee infiltrates the group and takes on its sexy operative, with explosive results. In A Deadly Shade of Gold, McGee comes into possession of an evil-looking, solid gold Aztec icon that leads to a perilous fortune. Reader Darren McGavin, who narrates the entire series for Random Audio, employs a world-weary, laid-back voice that is perfect for the enigmatic McGee. Recommended wherever good mysteries circulate. Random Audio offers the entire Travis McGee line in abridged format; libraries seeking unabridged versions should look to Books on TapeR.?Mark Annichiarico, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Description

Another bestseller starring Travis McGee, a real American hero--and maybe the star of a new movie franchise! Reissue.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (February 28, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449224449
• ISBN-13: 978-0449224441
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #179,871 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 6 in The Travis McGee Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Travis McGee and the Nature of Time, September 28, 1997

By	James Paris "Tarnmoor" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I now believe that Travis McGee, like all great detectives, exists outside of time. How can a novel written over 30 years ago speak to us so directly without reference to its era?

In BRIGHT ORANGE FOR THE SHROUD, knight errant McGee rights wrongs committed by an impromptu consortium which exists to defraud and destroy its victim utterly. McGee flushes out the book's ultra-villain, Boo Waxwell, and does what he can to rectify the wrongs done to an innocent man. All, I might add, without reference to the Cold War, Carnaby Street, Hippies, or anything else which would have identified the book as a product of the Sizties.

MacDonald's villains are the seven deadly sins, with an occasional personification of evil from the swamps like rapist-murderer-extortionist Waxwell thrown in. A wonderful read which I highly recommend.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Quintessential McGee, April 27, 2000

By	Michael Kramer (Ft Lauderdale) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

All the ingredients of a great McGee tale are present here, including the essential South Florida locale. It's hard to believe these stories were penned almost thirty years ago, and the rare "tells" that crop up are pretty funny. The typical is a wardrobe description replete with dacron sailcloth slacks, white denim jackets with wooden buttons, and the omnipresent pale yellow ascot. Of course, money matters are a giveaway. Like a wealthy murder victims toney "$30,000 home".

That said, few authors nail a modern detective yarn quite like John D. Read this book, or any other in the series, and you'll see what I mean.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another McGee Goodie, August 2, 2004

By	Rocco Dormarunno (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I picked up "Bright Orange for the Shroud" based on a recommendation from Amazon. But I didn't need such encouragement: I am a big fan of John D. MacDonald and, especially, the Travis McGee series. My favorite MacDonald book is "A Flash of Green", but I've always come back to the McGee series. This one, full of that shifty Florida culture, its tennis court bombshell, and gallons of flowing booze, is archetypal MacDonald. And, as I say in each review, I sure hope more people out there are reading MacDonald's works.