Nightmare in Pink (Travis McGee, No. 2)

A dying friend sends Travis McGee to New York to help his baby sister in NIGHTMARE IN PINK by John D. MacDonald. This is the second in the beloved series, but a good read that is not dated. Little sister, Nina Gibson has grownup and takes Travis by surprise as he remembers the little girl whose picture her brother carried in his billfold. New York streets and the world of advertising give this novel an extra punch, but Florida seems more like home for McGee. The stories are best read in order to watch Travis grow and change, but each can stand alone. Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.

This is the second in the Travis McGee series, though it doesn't place itself chronologically -- ie, it doesn't refer to the events of the first book, and it does refer to other adventures, as if it's just another in McGee's long life. However, the next book in the series, "A Purple Place for Dying," does take place right after this one, so there is an advantage to reading them in order. In "Nightmare" Travis goes to New York. If you can't deal with that, then this one's not for you, but otherwise it's a knockout. The suspense is great, the philosophizing feels amazingly current, and MacDonald clearly knows New York. The book is great mix of retro setting and modern-feeling plotting and characterization. If anything, it's smoother than "The Deep Blue Good-By," since it doesn't need to introduce anything. The Travis McGee series is terrific. I'm still reading my way through it, but I haven't found any reason not to go in order. "Nightmare in Pink" is great.

If there is a weak link in the chain of Travis McGee novels, I have yet to find it. MacDonald's "Nightmare in Pink" is yet another great tale in the long list of books of the McGee cycle, and I have read more than a dozen of them. This one has the same driving pace, magnetic and realistic characters, and acerbic wit as any other in the series. What makes it personally enjoyable is that it is set in my hometown of New York City! He seems at home here, in spite of what he says. I wish he'd hung around for a few more novels

Unlike the first Travis McGee novel, The Deep Blue Goodbye, which is set in Fort Lauderdale, McGee's stomping grounds and the place he likes to call home, Nightmare in Pink takes him to the Big Apple, where he is a sailor away from the sea and not altogether comfortable. His mission is to help the sister of a friend who finds herself with a dead boyfriend and ten thousand dollars she thinks are ill gotten gains. With some shrewd detective work McGee determines that the boyfriend stumbled on to the scheme of a lawyer who is bilking his rich client of millions of dollars. McGee makes connections with the client's family, who commission him to find out what is happening and protect the family and estate. Easier said than done. McGee thinks he has the case well in hand only to find he has been careless. His carelessness almost kills him. From the moment McGee finds himself trapped in his Nightmare in Pink to the exciting conclusion, the action is fast and furious with many innocent dead bodies along the way. As is typical of a McGee mystery, loose ends are not always neatly secured. Sometimes bad things happen to the good guys. McGee is nothing is not a realist and he accepts what he must and has the scars to show for it. He is a survivor who will live to fight another day. All the Travis McGee novels are quick reads and page turners. Once a reader has been initiated into the McGee philosophy and lifestyle with The Deep Blue Goodbye and Nightmare in Pink, the rest of the series is sure to be an attractive alternative to watching tv for diversion and entertainment.

A classic McGee. Which is to say . . . THE BEST