The Deep Blue Good-by: A Travis McGee Novel is an enthralling mystery-action novel by John D. MacDonald, featuring the iconic fictional character of Travis McGee. This first book of the twenty-one book series introduces readers to the world of the self-proclaimed "salvage consultant" who undertakes risky and often dangerous assignments to recover stolen property for a significant share of the recovered value.

The book starts with McGee being approached by Cathy Kerr, a beautiful woman who asks him for help in retrieving a treasure stolen from her now-deceased father. Intrigued by the case and the prospect of making a substantial profit, Travis McGee agrees to help Cathy, and together they embark on a perilous journey to retrieve the loot.

As they delve into the investigation, they discover that the stolen treasure is a collection of precious gems that were looted by a sinful and greedy criminal organization called The Busted Flush. With his wit and courage, McGee sets out to recover the gems from the organized crime syndicate, who is willing to do anything to keep the treasure.

The Deep Blue Good-by: A Travis McGee Novel takes readers on a thrilling ride with unexpected plot twists, shocking revelations, and suspenseful action sequences. MacDonald's vivid descriptions of the locales, the characters, and the high-octane action scenes make the book a remarkable read for any fan of the mystery genre.

Furthermore, the book's protagonist, Travis McGee, is a refreshing and distinctive character in the literary world, embodying the classic hero archetype while carrying creative innovation with a touch of moral ambiguity.

In summary, The Deep Blue Good-by is an expertly crafted tale of greed, violence, and redemption that is bound to captivate and entertain readers of all ages. It is truly a masterpiece that deserves recognition as one of the best mystery-action novels of all time.