Rating: 
Summary: a lightweight, comedic crime caper in Key West; a fun read
Review: 'Florida Straits' by Laurence Shames sort of falls into the domain largely owned by Carl Hiaasen: funny crime stories set in southern Florida. However unlike Hiaasen Shames doesn't have any sort of political/social agenda. He simply goes for laughs, and by enlarge succeeds nicely.In 'Florida Straits' we have "stoopid" New Yorkers relocating to Key West. As part of their baggage comes their crime family heritage (read: mafia). Naturally some caper gets cooked up amongst the palm trees and, well, that's basically it. Shames does treat us, however, with some very funny characterizations. And he is compassionate with all the quirky folks who call Key West home. However I did find his stereotype of Italian descent New Yorkers to be a bit over the top, especially in making fun of their rather curious accent. It is one joke that he milked too hard and too often. Bottom line: a fun yet rather brainless poolside read.
Rating:
Summary: a lightweight, comedic crime caper in Key West; a fun read
Review: 'Florida Straits' by Laurence Shames sort of falls into the domain largely owned by Carl Hiaasen: funny crime stories set in southern Florida. However unlike Hiaasen Shames doesn't have any sort of political/social agenda. He simply goes for laughs, and by enlarge succeeds nicely. In 'Florida Straits' we have "stoopid" New Yorkers relocating to Key West. As part of their baggage comes their crime family heritage (read: mafia). Naturally some caper gets cooked up amongst the palm trees and, well, that's basically it. Shames does treat us, however, with some very funny characterizations. And he is compassionate with all the quirky folks who call Key West home. However I did find his stereotype of Italian descent New Yorkers to be a bit over the top, especially in making fun of their rather curious accent. It is one joke that he milked too hard and too often. Bottom line: a fun yet rather brainless poolside read.
Rating: 
Summary: ENTERTAINING, AMUSING, JUST OVERALL GREAT!
Review: HAVING LIVED in Florida all my life, the added spice of this novel being set right down the road (well a long road, I-95, at that) from me, compelled me to go out on a limb and call this one of the best examples of comedy-mystery-mob novels ever written. Joey and Sandra are so incredibly "Noo Yawk" stereotypical that it makes them believable and understandable to readers! I loved this book ever since I started reading it. In a Hiaasen-esque (one must realize the similarities between Shames and Hiaasen...just look at the covers of their books) fashion, Shames tells the story of Joey Goldman and girlfriend Sandra as they seek their promised land; Joey doesn't know how, but he plans to get rich quick in the land of "sun, surf, and sleaze."
But Joey's NYC mob background catches up with him via his half brother Gino. I'll leave the rest of the story to you (I really hate when people just give a little summary of the book, that is NOT a review.).
Filled with lovable characters like Bert The Shirt and Zack, there just aren't enough words of praise to give it. You'll laugh out loud but you can really feel the things these people are going through.
I'm sure this probably isn't one of my better reviews, but this book puts me at quite a loss for words; on one hand funny, on the other poignant, but one word will describe it---excellent! 5 Stars.
Rating:
Summary: Elmore Leonard, but more fun
Review: I have always admired Elmore Leonard, but never really enjoyed his books. This author has Leonard's skills, but tops it with more enjoyable characters, and really leaves you feeling good in the end. Strangely enough this book is probably more a love story than a mob novel. Shames deserves much more recognition than he gets. Is anybody buying this book as a script? It would be "Get Shorty", but a great date movie.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down even when I reached the end....
Review: I have never read the same book twice in one weekend. Before. Even this jaded reader was surprised at the turns of this plot. You can smell Key West, the descriptions are so keen. And he does a wonderful thing in tracing a character's emotions in elegant detail - then lets you hear how they clomp out of the character's mouth. This is the twitchiest, funniest, most deftly written book I've run across in years. Why isn't it the funniest movie? I don't know - but I feel I have already seen it. Twice!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down even when I reached the end....
Review: I have never read the same book twice in one weekend. Before. Even this jaded reader was surprised at the turns of this plot. You can smell Key West, the descriptions are so keen. And he does a wonderful thing in tracing a character's emotions in elegant detail - then lets you hear how they clomp out of the character's mouth. This is the twitchiest, funniest, most deftly written book I've run across in years. Why isn't it the funniest movie? I don't know - but I feel I have already seen it. Twice!
Rating:
Summary: A perfect book
Review: I must have bought this book three separate times. I have to keep it on my shelves. It remains one of my favorites -- and my husband's too. As crime fiction writers go, Laurence Shames is in a league of his own. FLORIDA STRAITS pulses with humanity (John Steinbeck meets Elmore Leonard?) His characters are caught up in bigger-than-life situations, but they're all real people. The humor is real. Words like 'farcical' and 'romp' don't apply. If you're new to Laurence Shames, I suggest you start here. I think it's his best. Mangrove Squeeze, I'm sorry to say, I couldn't finish. The Naked Detective, I haven't read yet. The others, great, but this one outshines them. I love this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A man attempts to reorganize his life
Review: Joey is clearly in love--with his girlfriend, his father, his neighborhood--but he hasn't found a way to escape the bonds of that love. After breaking away, the past catches up with him and Joey is forced to do what he must have done anyway. By destroying the myths and exposing the virtues of his personality, Joey finally cuts loose and truly enters a new period of his life. Where Shames really excels, for me, is in bringing other parts of his backdrop to life and taking pleasure in the act of describing things. Having said that, I wonder whether Burt's shirts don't contain evidence of a personal fetish that Shames, the man, harbors. Look forward to reading a different book by the same author, over the Christmas break.
Rating:
Summary: what fun
Review: just a very nice, simple vacation book. Read it by the side of the pool and it may be the best few hours you have spent in some time. Can't say enough about how fresh and fun this book is. I bought it in a bookstore on Duval St. based on the owner's recommendation that it was Shames best work and a good place to start on Key West authors. I agree completely with that advice. Have fun!
Rating:
Summary: what fun
Review: just a very nice, simple vacation book. Read it by the side of the pool and it may be the best few hours you have spent in some time. Can't say enough about how fresh and fun this book is. I bought it in a bookstore on Duval St. based on the owner's recommendation that it was Shames best work and a good place to start on Key West authors. I agree completely with that advice. Have fun!
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