Dooley's Week

Dooley's Week. It is the fourteenth novel in the popular Travis McGee series by American author John D. MacDonald. First published in 1970, the story finds the self-described "salvage consultant" Travis McGee embroiled in a complex and dangerous case involving a missing husband, corporate espionage, and murder. The novel is celebrated for its tight plotting, social commentary, and the further development of McGee's character and his enduring friendship with his economist sidekick, Meyer.

Plot summary

The narrative begins when Travis McGee is approached by a woman named Betsy Kapp at his houseboat, the Busted Flush, moored at Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale. She believes her husband, Howie Brindle, a researcher for a Silicon Valley-style electronics firm called Roland Corporation, has not simply disappeared but has been murdered. McGee's investigation quickly reveals that Howie Brindle had discovered a critical flaw in a new military circuit being developed for the Pentagon, making him a target. The trail leads McGee from Florida to California, where he infiltrates the high-stakes world of defense contracting and encounters ruthless corporate executives like Tiger Brindle, Howie's brother. The plot thickens with further murders, including that of a potential informant, forcing McGee to use all his resourcefulness to uncover the truth and deliver his unique form of justice, all while navigating threats from both corporate henchmen and a persistent CIA operative.

Characters

The central figure is Travis McGee, the unconventional hero who lives on a houseboat and recovers stolen property for a fee. His closest friend and frequent consultant is Meyer, a PhD economist with a sharp, analytical mind who provides crucial insights. The client, Betsy Kapp, is a determined woman convinced of foul play in her husband's disappearance. The missing man, Howie Brindle, is portrayed as a brilliant but naive engineer. His brother, Tiger Brindle, is a powerful and amoral executive at Roland Corporation. Other key figures include Mick Cossini, a brutal corporate security chief; Felicia Ambar, a secretary who becomes an ally and love interest for McGee; and Sherry, a woman from Howie's past who holds a vital clue. The cast is rounded out by various officials from the CIA and local law enforcement who complicate McGee's mission.

Publication history

Dooley's Week was first published in 1970 by J. B. Lippincott & Co. in hardcover. It was subsequently released in paperback by Fawcett Publications, which helped solidify the Travis McGee series' massive popularity among paperback readers. The novel has been continuously in print for decades, republished by various houses including Random House and HarperCollins. It has been translated into numerous languages, including French, German, and Japanese, expanding John D. MacDonald's international audience. The book's title was altered for some markets; in the United Kingdom, it was initially published under the title The Turquoise Lament.

Reception and legacy

Upon its release, the novel was met with positive reviews from critics in publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post, who praised its pacing and MacDonald's keen observations of contemporary society. It is often cited by fans as one of the more intricately plotted entries in the Travis McGee series, particularly for its prescient look at technology and corporate ethics. The book strengthened MacDonald's reputation as a master of the modern mystery novel who could weave social critique into compelling crime fiction. Alongside other series entries, it influenced later generations of crime writers, including Carl Hiaasen and Randy Wayne White, who also set their stories in Florida. The novel remains a staple in discussions of American private investigator fiction from the late 20th century.

Adaptations

While the Travis McGee character has been adapted for other media, Dooley's Week itself has not been directly filmed. The character was famously portrayed by Sam Elliott in the 1983 film Travis McGee, which was based on the earlier novel The Empty Copper Sea. There have been periodic attempts by studios like Universal Pictures and producers such as Leonardo DiCaprio to develop a new Travis McGee film or television series, which could potentially draw stories from any of the novels, including this one. An abridged audio version of the novel has been produced, narrated by actor Darren McGavin, who was a contender to play McGee in the 1970s.

Category:American mystery novels Category:Travis McGee Category:Novels by John D. MacDonald Category:1970 American novels