Customer Reviews

Baja Florida (Zack Chasteen)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Zack Chasteen is living the peaceful life with his wife and infant daughter until an old friend comes asking for a favor. All he has to do is pilot a mega-yacht to a private island in the Bahamas and find the friend's missing daughter along the way. Sounds easy; but as Zack looks for the missing woman, he finds more questions than answers. This is Morris at his best; bringing the charm of the Caribbean into your living-room while taking the reader through twist and turns of true mystery. The character and relationship development took on a genuine quality that drew me in while the plot unfolded at a pace that kept me reading late into the night. I couldn't put this one down. This novel has put Bob Morris at the top of my favorite mystery writers list and I would recommend this book for anybody.

For some reason I had never heard of Bob Morris. Living in Florida we are consumed with Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaseen for humor. For an exciting adventure, kidnap and murder series this is very good. I was slowing down in the book at about 60% into my Kindle, then BAMB, Bob turns the story 180 degrees at lightning speed to accelerate the plot of a millionare's daughter and creates one of the most exciting reads I have had in a long time. Kudos to you Bob! I will read more of your books. It was a pleasure as I was in Puerto Vallarta on vacation and my Kindle brought me a phenomenal story of fiction. It's a must read

Gone are the cute titles. The author, following those who follow the John D, Travis McGee blueprint, now is moving up to the Doc Ford/Thorn league. John D used to give a little lesson each book, LSD or stamp collecting. RW White biology or tech. Hall a little of everything. Bob Morris needs to use his teaching skills more. Because everything else is good. This one adds emotion and family to a solid adventure. You will like it.

Bob Morris continues to please. Baja Florida is exceptionally well-paced, giving the reader a wonderful visit to the Bahamas. Fans of John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books will find great reward in reading Morris' series, featuring Zack Chasteen.

Bob Morris has quietly been carving out a successful niche in the suspense thriller genre with his signature character, Zack Chasteen. In "Baja Florida" the fourth in the series following "A Deadly Silver Sea", Zack agrees to help find the long estranged daughter of his old and dying friend, Mickey Ryser. Mickey has not seen his daughter, Jen, in over 20 years and wants to spend his brief remaining life getting to know her and making amends for the past. Mickey had previously dispatched a private detective, Abel Delgado, to find her but has not heard from him or his daughter since.

After agreeing, Zack springs into action along with his longtime associates, Boggy, a Taino shaman, and Charlie Callahan, a seaplane pilot. Before long, Zack and his buddies run afoul of shady boat thieves, deadly miscreants involved in an-over-the-top get rich quick scheme, and a clever frame job that has them fleeing from Bahamian authorities. A continuing mystery for Zack revolves around just who is who in this fast paced thriller that at times has the reader anxiously holding on for just one more chapter. The last 50 pages contain excitement, duplicity, a double-cross, sudden violence, and several heartwarming moments.

While there are several definite holes in the plot, they are not nearly sizable enough to discourage the engrossed reader. Astute readers may guess or suspect some of the mystery early on, but that does not in any way negate the suspense and the investigation, nor the human interest elements of the story. Morris has created a likable, doggedly loyal yet imperfect character in Chasteen. He makes his share of mistakes as he weaves through the novels, but his hard nosed determination buttressed by his keen sense of ethics are enough to keep his fans engrossed. I strongly recommend this series and this particular effort.

I am an admitted Bob Morris fan. I love mysteries and think Morris's Zach Chasteen series is one of the best.

In the latest, Baja Florida, Morris has settled into his characters and tells an intriguing tale set on a sailboat and islands in the Bahamas. Morris's extensive knowledge of the region shines through with writing that resonates with a sense of place. I was filled with both hunger and wanderlust when I read Baja Florida...and an urge to pour myself a rum to sip...

The characters are well-written and compelling. With each book in the series, they are growing and evolving. It is what I like most of these books. Instead of repeating the same mistakes to create tension, Zach has moved from a (falsely-accused) inmate to husband and father. I like that we get to see a new side to him with each book and feel like I am reading about an old friend. He is a great character to keep revisiting.

I devoured Baja Florida. My only complaint, I have to wait for Bob to write the next in the series.

Victoria Allman
author of: SEAsoned: A Chef's Journey with Her Captain

Bob Morris' latest Zack Chasteen adventure is an engaging page turner from mysterious beginning to dramatic ending. As always, the subplot is the eternal conflict, the dual nature of the human animal. On one side of life is the essential goodness of Zach, Barbara and baby Shula. On another side is a brutal kidnapping, and the dangers Zack and his comrades face from unscrupulous crooks as well as the more sinister threats from corrupt police. There is the urgency of Mickey Reyser's impending death, and his wish to reconcile with his long lost daughter Jen. There is Zack's desire to help his long time friend and mentor. There is precious little time and there are too many unanswered questions. Zach and his faithful Taino companion, the inscrutable but amazing insighful Boggy, are the moral compasses throughout the turmoil. There is also a powerful sense of place, the majestic beauty of the Caribbean, depicted as only Morris can paint a picture. The resolution is consistent with Zach Chasteen's basic decency and integrity. Highly recommended. I must also express my hope that Morris has many more adventures in store for Zack, as I have read all of Robert B. Parker's works. I mourn his passing; however, Zack and Spenser have a good deal of common ground.

Mickey Ryser knows he has just a few weeks left to live so he plans to spend his remaining time on Lady Cut Cay in the Bahamas where he was to meet his daughter Jen whom he has not seen since she was a baby. She never made it or contacted him. He pleads with his newly married friend and proud papa of a six month old baby, Zack Chasteen to find Jen, but also warns him his daughter's companions and Abel Delgado a private eye he hired to find her also vanished. Zack owes so much to his mentor, he agrees.

Accompanied by his buddies Boggy the Taino and pilot Charlie Callahan, Chasteen tries to pick up Delgado's trail. Their efforts of discretion lead to boat ring thieves and Bahamian Police chasing after them while Jen and company are held prisoner.

The latest Caribbean blue Chasteen investigative mystery (see Jamaica Me Dead and A Deadly Silver Sea) is a fast-paced thriller that takes off the moment Zack and the gang begin their search with the clock ticking. The story line is filled with action as Zack and crew get in trouble with boat hi-jacking thugs, other miscreants, and the police as they follow clues left by Delgado. Although the subplot depicting Jen's plight adds intensity and feelings, the short asides slow down the overall pace of a terrific suspense filled tale starring a solid trio of good guys.

Harriet Klausner

This is like eating peanuts. Without naming names or titles we all recognize the format. Tropic setting, big boats, palm trees, strange companion, leftover attachments from the days of "square grouper" greedy criminals, leggy blonds, rum, some fisticuffs, bad shooting, barbrawls. Now Winter Haven and the Lakes area may be an addition to tradition and characters spending recovery time in Shands or coughing up the cash to be a Bull Gator is getting a bit north. Still some of the genera makes it out the panhandle and maybe we will soon see Zack Chasteen on the porch at Gators, soooo. I never did learn to like boiled peanuts, but gimme the salted kind all night long. Guess that's the same with this kinda novel. I dislike some, but like most. This is a fun read and good for a day at the beach or by the fireplace remembering the beach/

I have enjoyed all of Bob Morris' books and this is no exception. It is fast paced and fun to read.