A PURPLE PLACE FOR DYING

Darren McGavin is the voice of Travis McGee, capably shifting from narrator to the various oddball characters in McGee's colorful world. This story lures McGee from his Florida houseboat to an Arizona ranch where his client is murdered right before his eyes. Ruthlessly slashing description, this abridgment often paraphrases lengthy sections, but no important facts are omitted. One result is that lengthy recountings of McGee's women, not as tolerable by today's standards, are reduced to brief, inoffensive buzz words. Those who don't appreciate MacDonald's literary talents won't understand the attraction, but the rest of us listen whenever we need to take a brief vacation. J.L. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB 98]