Rating: 
Summary: An excellent summertime, poolside read.
Review: Shames captures the humid atmosphere of Florida perfectly in all his books and, unlike Carl Hiaasen, he welcomes the newcomers like Joey Goldman. As a northerner I can empathize with Joey's desire to relocate to the "Sunshine State" leaving the cold and snow far behind. Joey's first attempts at establishing himself in " business" are hilarious and the characters are quirky but charming. Even the mobsters are not so frightening that they can't be humorous and likeable. Shames kept me wondering right up to the end how Joey would get himself and his brother Gino out of their predicament and the solution was clever and satisfying. If you're planning a vacation to Florida take this along to read by the pool or on the beach and understand what drew Joey Goldman there in the first place.
Rating:
Summary: One funny book....
Review: Snappy dialogue, engaging characters, fast-paced...a very satisfying read.I've read it twice now, and would like to read it again, but I can't remember whom I loaned it to...
Rating:
Summary: One funny book....
Review: Snappy dialogue, engaging characters, fast-paced...a very satisfying read. I've read this book twice, and would like to read it again, but I forgot whom I loaned it to...
Rating:
Summary: My all-time favorite book.
Review: Some of the most endearing characters I have ever met! Joey is lovable, even with all his mis-directed ambitions. Bert the Shirt is so real I feel like I can pick up the phone and call him. Thanks to Mr. Shames for some very delightful hours spent reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE MISSING THIS ONE!!
Review: The publisher that releasd FLORIDA STRAITS with a paperback cover of stunning green and fluorcent orange may not have done the book a service. It implies HIAASEN! HIASSEN! That's misleading, but not pejorative. In my opinion, in terms of literary quality, FLORIDA STRAITS, FLORIDA STRAITS ranks up there with, say, Carl Hiaasen's STRIP TEASE, Elmore Leonard's PULP FICTION* or the later Ross McDonald stuff. But FLORIDA STRAITS has its own voice -- it is no clone; it has its own voice and is well worth reading. All are terrific, all have a voice, but and I have to emphasize. All the literature I've mentioned above have in common the crime/humor themes of slightly loveable fish-out-of-water oddball protagonists (lead characters),** crazy character side figures, and a mix of danger, huumor and satire. But in author Larence Shames' FLORIDA STRAITS, not all tourists are uppity jerks, not all bourgeois charcters are Ned Beatty/Ronald cynics who ratify his friends' desire to make money, (looser laws, environmental degradation, etc.) Violence and danger -- of which the strong stuff is relatively free of grisliness or obligatory humor -- nonetheless comes across in intriguing fashion. Fortunately, even though nine years old, FLORIDA STRAITS is enduring enough not to need timlines, excessive camp, or a plenitude of pop-culture refernce. It's hard to define, but the book still has lots of "oomph". I agree with that perceptive critic whose review appears below, and here I'm praphrasing loosely, that an analogy can certainly be drawn beteen applied to Elmore Leonard (Get Shorty, Pulp fiction).* Hiassen, too, of course, and I would say the later Ross McDonald.
As my students say, "whatver." FLORIDA STRAITS has interestingly loopy charcters -- the lead chacter is a minor mafioso who leave Noo Yawk for Florida. It's the classic duck-out-of-water scenario: Our (anti-)hero is a skankier, far less intelligent or ethical version of clueless Oliver Wendall Douglas in that camp Sixtiessitcom, "Green Acres." That was only an analogy but the sense of culture shock makes for great humor. So a cliche publicist might put it, "If you liked STRIP TEASE, PULP FICTION or THE DROWNING POOL, you're going to like FLORIDA STRAITS." * Please look at the perceptive review below, that establishes a connection betwee FLORIDA STRAITS and Elmore Leonard's work. It was that person's analogy, I agree with it, and so give due credit.
Rating:
Summary: TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE MISSING THIS ONE!!
Review: The publisher that releasd FLORIDA STRAITS with a paperback cover of stunning green and fluorcent orange may not have done the book a service. It implies HIAASEN! HIASSEN! That's misleading, but not pejorative. In my opinion, in terms of literary quality, FLORIDA STRAITS, FLORIDA STRAITS ranks up there with, say, Carl Hiaasen's STRIP TEASE, Elmore Leonard's PULP FICTION* or the later Ross McDonald stuff. But FLORIDA STRAITS has its own voice -- it is no clone; it has its own voice and is well worth reading. All are terrific, all have a voice, but and I have to emphasize. All the literature I've mentioned above have in common the crime/humor themes of slightly loveable fish-out-of-water oddball protagonists (lead characters),** crazy character side figures, and a mix of danger, huumor and satire. But in author Larence Shames' FLORIDA STRAITS, not all tourists are uppity jerks, not all bourgeois charcters are Ned Beatty/Ronald cynics who ratify his friends' desire to make money, (looser laws, environmental degradation, etc.) Violence and danger -- of which the strong stuff is relatively free of grisliness or obligatory humor -- nonetheless comes across in intriguing fashion. Fortunately, even though nine years old, FLORIDA STRAITS is enduring enough not to need timlines, excessive camp, or a plenitude of pop-culture refernce. It's hard to define, but the book still has lots of "oomph". I agree with that perceptive critic whose review appears below, and here I'm praphrasing loosely, that an analogy can certainly be drawn beteen applied to Elmore Leonard (Get Shorty, Pulp fiction).* Hiassen, too, of course, and I would say the later Ross McDonald.
As my students say, "whatver." FLORIDA STRAITS has interestingly loopy charcters -- the lead chacter is a minor mafioso who leave Noo Yawk for Florida. It's the classic duck-out-of-water scenario: Our (anti-)hero is a skankier, far less intelligent or ethical version of clueless Oliver Wendall Douglas in that camp Sixtiessitcom, "Green Acres." That was only an analogy but the sense of culture shock makes for great humor. So a cliche publicist might put it, "If you liked STRIP TEASE, PULP FICTION or THE DROWNING POOL, you're going to like FLORIDA STRAITS." * Please look at the perceptive review below, that establishes a connection betwee FLORIDA STRAITS and Elmore Leonard's work. It was that person's analogy, I agree with it, and so give due credit.
Rating:
Summary: Very Funny
Review: This book is hysterical. I love the keys and everything about them and the descriptions of the keys are excellent. The humor is very appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: like shells on the beach
Review: This book reads like a mix between Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen. Its good, not great; fairly entertaining. What makes it an 8 instead of a 5 are the occasional gems of wisdom that read so incredibly true. Like shells on the beach, you're trotting along, enjoying the view, relaxing, and all of a sudden you come upon a paragraph that is so insightful, you just gotta say; "yup, that's how it REALLY is."
Rating:
Summary: A GOOD READ
Review: THIS BOOK WAS EASY TO GET THROUGH. EVEN IF YOU DON'T CARE FOR MOB NOVELS JUST REMEMBER THAT THIS IS ALSO ABOUT KEY WEST. I DON'T LIKE MOB PLOTS TO MOST STORIES AND YET I LIKED THIS BOOK. A VERY GOOD BOOK IF PLANNING TO VISIT THE KEYS SOME TIME SOON OR EVER. THE DIALOGUE WAS QUITE CUTE AS WELL.
Rating:
Summary: The "Sopranos" visit margaritaville.......excellent!
Review: This is a terrific story that seems to be a unique blend of a Jimmy Buffett "margaritaville" concert and the "Sopranos" family, with a lot of heart thrown in. Laurence Shames takes Joey Goldman,the illegitimate son of a New York wiseguy, and moves him to Key West where he intends to make a new start for himself and his amazing girlfriend Sandra.
After some very comic attempts at cornering the wiseguy market, things take a very different turn and Joey finds himself doing things he never dreamed he would do, both good and bad!
The contrast of fast-paced New York and laid-back Key West lifestyles adds to the fantastic humor of Shames tale.
When Joey Goldman begins to come to terms with the realities of his life, what he wants and what he doesn't, the story begins it's wild ride!
| 
