I agree with most who think this is not up to JDM's usual high standards, though there is a lot to like in it, of course. The whole thing feels contrived (the differing points of view), and the central relationship, between junior college professor Lee Bronson and the ditzy, shallow Lucille, strains credulity.One line made me gasp in disbelief however. It's uttered by Lee's mentor and boss, Dr. Ellis Haughton, the aging dean at the junior college, a voice of discernment and reason. At one point, Haughton says to Lee: "I have one more bit of advice. Also blunt. That pretty little wife of yours might benefit greatly if you were to beat her frequently. I have attempted to converse with her. You would be supplying something her own people obviously neglected."Granted, the book was published in 1957 and reflects its times, and Haughton (whom I stress is a sympathetic figure, clearly a character we should admire) is condoning physical abuse. Travis McGee would never do it, and I'm sure JDM would never condone it, but to put that idea into the mouth of a positive figure struck me as absolutely shocking.
A good John D. MacDonald, not a great one. I've been reading more McGee novels lately so I've gotten used to the familiarity that McGee brings to the story. This novel was interesting, had a good storyline, the plot moved quickly, and had detailed character development. I just wasn't as involved with the characters and didn't care as much about them as I would have cared with McGee. Great twists and plot turns as always, and a page-turner. I'd recommend this book to any mystery/suspense fan, but I'd recommend one of the McGee novels if you're just being introduced to John D. MacDonald.
Do You like book The Price Of Murder (1976)?
Another one that uses the multiple narrator convention, which I'm becoming less keen on because a lot of time is spent going into the back story of each character. There is very little forward plot movement during the first several chapters as we switch from perspective to perspective. I wonder if this evolves out of the writing technique. Think of all the characters MacDonald and other writers of the paperback heyday had to create. The backstory stuff has to be written anyway, and then woven into the novel, so why not invert the process? Weave a plot through chapters of back story material. That's kind of how this one reads to me. The technique ensures that the character development isn't shallow, but it's all set-up and very little action for a long time. Keeps building though.
—Steven
