“A Key to the Suite” is a 1962 novel, published before McDonald became immersed in his Travis McGee series shortly thereafter. Nevertheless, if you listen carefully, you can hear his McGee narrative voice developing in this one. This one is about the insider’s scoop on the corporate ladder wars, set against the backdrop of a Florida coast convention in a seaside hotel. The target of a corporate downsizing is taking no prisoners when he fights back by setting up his rival with a high-priced call girl who is being paid to seduce and publicly embarrass the rival. The call girl, Corey Barlund, steals the show here, turning into quite a complex and intriguing character. This book s a slowly developing story so hang on until everything explodes in the end.
Pulp, Crime, & Mystery Books 