Rating: 
Summary: God, I loved it!
Review: I am not a "Parrothead" and I don't listen to Jimmy Buffet's music. The only song I can identify with him is Margaritaville. I am, however, an avid reader and an English teacher. My husband, some friends and I were camping at an annual Cajun Festival in Escoheag, RI a few years ago and I'll just say that everyone was having more fun than I was. I was alone at the campsite and bored out of my skull. This book had been on the table since the day before and I had not previously even thought of picking it up. Once I did, though, I read until I was finished -about 4am. The book had me laughing out loud. It was the best Cajun-fest I had ever attended! I've re-read the book more times than I can count and lost more copies than I can count to people who have borrowed and never returned them. This book is a pleasure to read -you learn, you laugh and it is well written.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Plot & Wonderfully Bizarre Characters
Review: I can honestly say that this book appealed to both the avid reader AND the avid Parrothead in me! This was interesting and entertaining, with a typically Jimmy Buffett exotic setting and some fascinating and bizarre characters. Characters such as Frank Bama, Trevor Kane, Blanton Meyercord (my personal favorite!), Rudy Breno, Charlie Fabian, Colonel Cairo and of course the amazing Desdemona all made this a hard-to-put-down story. A special note for Parrotheads: Although this is a book for anyone who likes reading bizarre love & adventure stories, Parrotheads will especially appreciate the subtle (and even not-so-subtle) references to your favorite Buffett songs. Pay special attention to the names of the chapters! :-> Anyone who has always wondered about Desdemona while listening to "Fruitcakes" and "Desdemona's Building a Rocket ship" should definitely read this book - all the answers are here!
Rating:
Summary: Jimmy Buffett scores another hit!!!
Review: This is a wonderful book filled with high flying adventure. One thing about this book is that it will skip to another person. At first it will through you off guard with all of the changing around however as you read on it will all fall into place. I loved the story and because it changes like that you really dont get board with the story. I gave 5 stars because it has great adventure and it does not get old. Jimmy Buffett's Where is Joe Merchant? is a tale that people of all ages should read. (Do not read if under 12)
Rating:
Summary: Never thought reading could be this much fun
Review: Jimmy's story recreates the same characters he's been singing about for years, puts them together in a mad dash across the Carribean and brings them to an unexpected ending which cannot be anticipated. If Indiana Jones were a parrot head, this would be his story. I've been a fan of the music for years and I read the book in two days. The story line grabs you in the first thirty pages and builds all it's characters until you feel you know them all, not just the headliners. The same wit and wisdom in the music exists in the book and it's not just a good story, it's pure entertainment. You'd expect nothing less from Jimmy. Best book I've read in a long, long time.
Rating:
Summary: Josh's Review on "Where is Joe Merchant?"
Review: In my opinion, the book "Where is Joe Merchant" is a very interesting story about a rock star disappearing and the search to find the truth. I feel that Jimmy Buffett did an excelent job of creating his characters and thouroughly explaining their thoughts and actions. In all, I feel that "Where is Joe Merchant" was very well written and put together. I rate it 5 stars.
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Summary: Slip on your "flip-flops" for this one!
Review: Parrotheads rejoice! The mayor of Margaritaville has tickled the imagination with this offering. As a lifelong Jimmy Buffett fan, I was thrilled that Jimmy chose to put his talents to the rhelm of the modern novel. Was this book what I expected? Absolutely not! That is what makes it so good. With pen and laptop in hand, Buffett has boldly slapped his creative license on the nightstand and provided perhaps the tallest tale ever. The story opens as a normal day in Key West, but Jimmy's roller coaster is just getting started. Buffett takes us into his own "little world" with some extremely dynamic characters that I found quite intriguing. Inspired by the many adventures of his remarkable life, Jimmy creates Frank Bama, a seasoned seaplane pilot with a love for his dog, his plane, and a woman who has capivated his heart. Through his many exciting - and quite deadly - adventures through the mysical Caribbean islands, Frank makes a few good friends, and learns how to truly open his heart to Trevor, the love of his life. This book is loaded with detailed descriptions of life as a "flying boat" captain, as well as the cutthroat pirates that still sail the tropics today. Jimmy also provides insight into the inspiration of some of his most beloved songs, producing a wonderful marriage between his writing and his music. Jimmy freely injects a touch of tropical fantasy with the storyline, allowing the reader to truly be swept away. This is not a book to be read at the library, however. Slip on the flip-flops, and head to the beach for this read. And let your imagination run away with Frank Bama on a heart-pounding journey. Jimmy Buffett recently said, "...I sell escapism". You've done just that, Jim. After a half hour with this book, I had to pinch myself to remind myself where I was. Thanks for a great adventure. Overall, a terrific, fast-paced read that's tough to put down. So pack up your suntan oil and pick it up today!
Rating:
Summary: Where is Joe Merchant?
Review: This book is a deffinate must read for any Buffett fan .His charicters and perdiciments are priceless in this easy to read novel. The best book written in the last 30 years.
Rating:
Summary: Josh's Review on "Where is Joe Merchant?"
Review: In my opinion, the book "Where is Joe Merchant" is a very interesting story about a rock star disappearing and the search to find the truth. I feel that Jimmy Buffett did an excelent job of creating his characters and thouroughly explaining their thoughts and actions. In all, I feel that "Where is Joe Merchant" was very well written and put together. I rate it 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Winter Doldrums Escape
Review: Although a Buffett fan, this book will be a great read for anyone looking for an escape. From the tropical settings, to the colorful characters, to the incredible dialogue, it won't take long before our whisked off the couch and find yourself flying shotgun next to Frank Bama himself. Although I found myself asking, "where the hell does he come up with this stuff", I couldn't pull myself from its pages and giving it a full 5 star rating! Parrothead or not, kick off those boots, slip on the flip-flops and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: What a Margarita is to the '82 vintage of Bordeaux.......
Review:
What a Margarita is to the '82 vintage of Bordeaux, this book is to American literature. This is not to say that those who love the '82 Bordeaux don't also enjoy a good umbrella drink now and then, mind you.
"Where is Joe Merchant" tends to ramble and lack direction. One tends to get the characters confused. But it's a fun read and it's cheap enough so if your a fan of Jimmy Buffet's light minded, tropical style, go for it.
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