Reread, previously read it in the 90's around the time of it's release. Something like the Travis Mcgee novels updated for the 90's. ( )

Doc Ford discovers his friend hanging from a tree and has to try to rescue the dead man's son from South America. There is action, suspense, a mystery involved in this story. I liked the characters. ( )

I am not much into series books, but when I realized that the new restaurant on the St. Pete Pier, Doc Ford's, is named after the fictional character created by Randy Wayne White, I decided to get the first book in the series and read about him. Since I have been reading more challenging books lately, this book was a fun read that was most welcome during the holiday season. Like many other popular Floridian authors, White conveys his appreciation for the fauna and flora of Florida as well as the laidback Floridian lifestyle. Doc Ford, the main character, knowledgeable about navigating Sanibel's waters and terrain, a west coast island, functions as a marine biologist among the people in Sanibel.

Doc, a former CIA operative in Central America, purports to want to slow down his pace but can't resist getting involved with Central American guerilla warfare when his high school buddy, Rafe Hollins, solicits his help. As the story and mystery develop, it is apparent that Doc thrives on drama as much as his love interests. He befriends Tomlinson, a drug-involved, former academic, and their adventures in Central America dealing with revolutionaries and Mayan history is exciting and charming.

I enjoyed learning about Doc's shark business as much as his dealings in Central America. If you're not familiar with Doc Ford, it is well worth your time.

https://quipsandquotes.net/ ( )

Randy Wayne White is a great replacement for anyone going through John D. McDonald withdraw. His stories are interesting and exciting.

This was my second book by this author and I will have to read everything he writes. ( )

This is the first of at least four and maybe five Doc Ford mystery series. Doc is a marine biologist in Florida but he has a past. He's done with that past now and living out a laid back laissez faire life on Sanibel Flats. But, he past calls him one day. His old friend, Rafe Hollins calls in distressed because after Rafe kidnapped his son from his ex-wife, terrorists kidnapped Rafe's son from Rafe. Doc must now re-enter his past. There's a little Hiassen here and a little of all the other Florida writers, but White also has something that's all his own. His second Doc Ford is out of print but I'm hoping his new publisher is going to re-print them. I'd hate to miss one. ( )