"Cinnamon Skin" is as good as, or perhaps even a little better than, the standard Travis McGee.

In this quest McGee and his eccentric economist friend Meyer are attempting to track down a man who has had several identities and several consorts whom he has killed. Bluebeard, in a word. The quest is, as it should be, the chief pleasure in a McGee mystery, but Mr. MacDonald also has a reporter's ear for odd facts and arresting tones of voice. McGee and Meyer get people talking about their work, and we hear good on-the-job briefings from a geologist, a real-estate tycoon, a farm-equipment salesman, a cafe waitress, a west-Texas police sergeant and others.

For those John D. MacDonald fans who stay the course, there is an additional element—an autumnal wistfulness in the maverick McGee. His current ladylove, whom we meet in the beginning, opts for a promotion...