Everglades

Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: This new installment in the Doc Ford series is a good one, and
it is well worth reading. Some characteristics of a few of the
leading characters are a bit over the top, and that can be a bit
much, but in general, the mystery is well developed and moves
along nicely.
Here, Doc returns to his home-on-stilts to find an old girl friend waiting on him, and she uses his shoulder to cry on, telling about the disappearance of her husband. And, lo-and-behold, right that minute, she tells him she is being followed by someone who is right then hiding in the mangrove, watching them. Doc pulls a trick to get out of sight and sneak up on the
watcher, and they have a tough run-in that results in a strange
friendship, as they both want to help the lady in distress.
While trying to locate the missing husband, they run into a strange, power-hungry religious guru, who seems to be putting together a genuine cult, and they begin to suspect the man's disappearance has some connection with his interest in the new
religion.
Of course, this leads to another strange, unexpected meeting, this time with a small group of Seminole indians who turn out to
have a bizarre connection with Doc.
There is a lot of action here, with many characters--and we do
mean "characters" in this one--and there are plenty of death and
natural phenonomon to interest most readers.
As a slight criticism, many readers will find almost too much
history of Florida and their native Indian tribes here, and
while a part of the story, these elements almost take off on
their own, diverting our interest from the mystery.
But the author knows his subject, and he seemingly can't quite
get his mind fully on the mystery he is writing because of his
on-going strong interest in the history of his home region.
But this is plenty of action for anyone, with romance along for the ride, and this is a genuine interesting addition to the Doc
Ford series.

Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: This new installment in the Doc Ford series is a good one, and
it is well worth reading. Some characteristics of a few of the
leading characters are a bit over the top, and that can be a bit
much, but in general, the mystery is well developed and moves
along nicely.
Here, Doc returns to his home-on-stilts to find an old girl friend waiting on him, and she uses his shoulder to cry on, telling about the disappearance of her husband. And, lo-and-behold, right that minute, she tells him she is being followed by someone who is right then hiding in the mangrove, watching them. Doc pulls a trick to get out of sight and sneak up on the
watcher, and they have a tough run-in that results in a strange
friendship, as they both want to help the lady in distress.
While trying to locate the missing husband, they run into a strange, power-hungry religious guru, who seems to be putting together a genuine cult, and they begin to suspect the man's disappearance has some connection with his interest in the new
religion.
Of course, this leads to another strange, unexpected meeting, this time with a small group of Seminole indians who turn out to
have a bizarre connection with Doc.
There is a lot of action here, with many characters--and we do
mean "characters" in this one--and there are plenty of death and
natural phenonomon to interest most readers.
As a slight criticism, many readers will find almost too much
history of Florida and their native Indian tribes here, and
while a part of the story, these elements almost take off on
their own, diverting our interest from the mystery.
But the author knows his subject, and he seemingly can't quite
get his mind fully on the mystery he is writing because of his
on-going strong interest in the history of his home region.
But this is plenty of action for anyone, with romance along for the ride, and this is a genuine interesting addition to the Doc
Ford series.

Rating:
Summary: Doc Ford is Back!
Review: Trouble is afoot again for Doc Ford in this tenth adventure for the marine biologist from Dinkin's Bay on Florida's Gulf Coast. Doc's childhood pal and one-time lover Sally Carmel arrives at his stilt house with a tale of a missing husband, presumed dead after a nighttime fall off of a boat while on a fishing trip. But is he really dead, and who is the menacing guy shadowing Sally's every move? The trail leads to the husband's business partner, a crooked religious cult leader who is cooking up some devilish plans to replenish his personal coffers. Bhagwan Shiva has no intention of waiting for the afterlife to reap a heavenly reward, and if murder and mayhem-not to mention major environmental damage to the unique and fragile Everglades-is necessary, so be it. Doc is facing some personal demons of his own, as depressed and out of shape, he confronts the price he is paying for continually camouflaging his own essentially predatory nature. The Everglades, eloquently rendered by White's vivid descriptions, offer a parallel reflection of the negative consequences of trying to impose civilization upon the natural order. Through a maelstrom of impressively complex physical combat, a nighttime encounter with a deadly bull shark, death-defying air boat hijinks, earthquake tremors, high explosives and a volcano, White delivers an increasingly complex portrait of Doc Ford and his hippie pal Tomlinson. But long time fans have come to expect more than just great storytelling, and Everglades does not disappoint, as White peppers his narrative with impressively researched information about Florida's Indian history, the ecology of the Everglades, primitive human brain physiology and wrestling, among many other topics. Read this book and you will know some terrific bars and restaurants to visit on Florida's Gulf Coast; how to make a great rum drink and the special brand of Nicaraguan rum to use; which boat engine manufacturer is finding favor with fishing guides these days; the legend of the Swamp Ape; and what exactly the witch's soldiers are chanting in The Wizard of Oz. A brilliant and amazing ride right to the last page, Everglades will leave you eagerly awaiting your next encounter with Doc Ford.