KnightErrantF18
Much to my chagrin the last two articles I read about John D. concluded that the Non-McGee books were superior to the series. Nonsense I say. The McGee books, in my opinion, touched magic. Sure, the stories weren't the cleverest, the romances a bit cheesey, but that made them all the more charming to me. Some of the best things in life are a bit cheesy. When I watch a University of Florida football game and everyone breaks out singing "We are the Boys of old Florida" at the end of the third quarter-is that not a little corny? How about the secret password at your old fraternity or sorority? It is an additional draw for me-what corny line will Ol'McGee drop on his latest squeeze?
The series is John D. at his best with his observations about life, death, human nature, contractors, con men, cops, and on and on. The lines just come one after the other like gusts of wind in a storm. From the Lonely Silver Rain-- Although the picture was black and white I knew he was a redhead. From Cinnamon Skin-- There are no 100% heroes. From Girl In a Plain Brown Wrapper-- His breath disguised the news that he hadn't recently changed his shirt. The Non-Series books, largely written when he was younger, didn't have the same bite.
The characters of McGee and Meyer were far and above better than any outside the series. Usually, the other books featured business men struggling in a cold, indifferent corporate environment. Their frustrations bled over into their personal life and caused them various problems. None seemed up to the philosophical McGee or Meyer. Travis liked men who could hold their liquor, take a tan, do their share of the dirty work. He took his retirement in installments. He liked women who were strong, sexy and not cheap. In my life, I have come to seek out such people as McGee. I don't like the bragging, loudmouth salesman or insecure nymphets anymore than he did.
Similarly, the basic premis of the series, the Salvage Expert who helps friends get back something they lost or were conned out of, was not matched in the other books. It was a unique twist on the private eye genre. The other books tended to be more traditional crime stories. A missing person, a swindle gone bad, etc...
Grab a Plymouth on the rocks, put on some old jazz, a comfortable old sweater and watch the sun drop over Las Olas Boulevard and enjoy one of McGee's old tales!
The series is John D. at his best with his observations about life, death, human nature, contractors, con men, cops, and on and on. The lines just come one after the other like gusts of wind in a storm. From the Lonely Silver Rain-- Although the picture was black and white I knew he was a redhead. From Cinnamon Skin-- There are no 100% heroes. From Girl In a Plain Brown Wrapper-- His breath disguised the news that he hadn't recently changed his shirt. The Non-Series books, largely written when he was younger, didn't have the same bite.
The characters of McGee and Meyer were far and above better than any outside the series. Usually, the other books featured business men struggling in a cold, indifferent corporate environment. Their frustrations bled over into their personal life and caused them various problems. None seemed up to the philosophical McGee or Meyer. Travis liked men who could hold their liquor, take a tan, do their share of the dirty work. He took his retirement in installments. He liked women who were strong, sexy and not cheap. In my life, I have come to seek out such people as McGee. I don't like the bragging, loudmouth salesman or insecure nymphets anymore than he did.
Similarly, the basic premis of the series, the Salvage Expert who helps friends get back something they lost or were conned out of, was not matched in the other books. It was a unique twist on the private eye genre. The other books tended to be more traditional crime stories. A missing person, a swindle gone bad, etc...
Grab a Plymouth on the rocks, put on some old jazz, a comfortable old sweater and watch the sun drop over Las Olas Boulevard and enjoy one of McGee's old tales!