On the Make or Not as Good as Ross

I read On the Make by John D. MacDonald as a result of a screw up. I meant to purchase a Ross MacDonald pulp mystery but accidentally bought On the Make. Who knew there were two Mac Donald's who were pulp detective fiction well knowns.



I read the Ross MacDonald first (here) but I have to say, where Ross was pithy and fun, John D. was more laconic and thick. I liked them both, I liked the Ross more.

One of the aspects I liked about both of them was that it was like watching an old Alfred Hitchcock story on the black and white television. Each moved with that pace and you could just about imagine the 1950's cars, the fedoras and the trench coats. Fun, fun, fun. Worth a read and worth finding another by John D. MacDonald. But, as I said in the previous paragraph I'll probably read another Ross first.

Most Recent First Line

Finished a second fave. Has to be a good month when I've finished a Dick Francis and a Lawrence Sanders in the same months (see here and here). 

One thing I will say is that I love reading the reviews of Lawrence Sanders' books by modern readers who don't appreciate him. Too slow, boring, or not at all realistic . . . well, you have to appreciate the man to enjoy his books. 

Regardless, somehow I ran into John D. MacDonald, a prolific writer from the 1960's and already I'm very excited to get involved. Love the pacing, love the theme, love the characters. 

Not My Style?

For just a moment I wondered if Hard Boiled, 1950's era, noir style detective novels were for me. This soul searching came as I finished John McPartland's Big Red's Daughter and threw it away in pseudo-disgust at having wasted so much time reading it.

Why did I question my views on this genre? Because I hated Three For the Ring as well. I found it hollow, pedantic and silly. Same reasons I didn't like Big Red's Daughter. But, as I looked through my blog I saw two that I remember liking. There was Ross MacDonald's The Imaginary Blonde and John D. MacDonald's On the Make. Granted, I liked Ross much more than John, but I remember liking both of those far more than this last one.

I read Big Red's Daughter because I saw a blogger I like recommend it. Never again. A more pointless, less well written, with more pathetically fleshed out character's I don't think I've ever read.

Maybe I should go try another Ross MacDonald just to get my legs under me again.

One More On Nightmare

Lately, I know, I've been posting alot about Nightmare in Pink, a part of the Travis McGee series by John D. MacDonald. Does it warrant this much posting? Probably not. But, when reads so few novels these days thanks to homework, and work work, well then one posts alot about the things he enjoys. 

Regardless, the other day I wrote that there were some lines which I found particularly compelling and I wanted to share them with someone, so this audience will do.  

More From a Nightmare in Pink

One of the things I love about Travis McGee novels by John D. MacDonald, is the simplicity of writing. It's direct and honest and quick. I have been accused of this as well (see HERE). And I'll happily accept that accusation/honor.

Some of the other authors I read who are similar include Louis L'amour - with his simple stories that are easy to follow and fun in a predictable way, Lee Child - Often times I find them a bit too simple (see HERE), but they're fun. Even Dick Francis has an economy about his writing and his stories that is fun and easy (see HERE).

Nightmare in Pink Cover

I'm sure many of you will find it odd, but there's very little these days makes me happier than going back and finding the pulp (and other) covers that are associated with he books I read. Naturally, when I say that there is "nothing that makes me happier" I'm being hyperbolic, if only because my best friend Sadie is around. 

Having just finished John D. MacDonald's Nightmare in Pink (see HERE) I was very eager to get out there and see the evolution of the covers!

Another in My Series Reading

 Anyone who knows me and this blog knows that I’m into reading serieses now. I’ve reading WEB Griffin’s Corps series. I’m reading Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan series. I finished C.K. McDonnell’s Stranger Times series (which was a rare, wonderful, funny, find). I started the Sackett series, but kinda let that one fall off. I’m including some rare Dick Francis and that’s GOTTA be a series right? It doesn’t matter that he’s my favorite of all time. A Daniel Silva’s series. And now the third in the John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee series. 

These are so much like Lee Child’s Reacher series its just silly. Better, to be sure, but still, it’s like looking in a mirror. 

Trav McGee

I’ve been referencing a book a lot lately that I’m in the midst of reading. It's another John D. MacDonald, Trav McGee mystery (see HERE).

Here is the first line to add to my own series. 

This is the second of this series I’m reading and I can’t imagine I won’t keep reading the rest of them. 

Wonderful writing imagery.