Customer Reviews

Florida Straits

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This is a thoroughly entertaining novel. The characters are well written and well developed, not to mention downright funny and rather quirky. When you start reading this you'll be able to feel the Flofida sunshine on your neck.

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.

This novel was the most thoroughly delightful read I have had in a long, long time. Laurence Shames infuses his characters with so much, well, character, that they are just begging to come to life. You're right there as the mob goons are talking with each other in the writer's mob-phonetically-correct spelling of "whaddaya sayin?" The characters are so well developed that you can't help but be drawn into their world. And it's such a quirky and interesting world that you have no desire to resist. This writer pulls off the strange mix of mob/mystery/comedy so deliciously that you'll want to come back for more. After reading "Florida Straits", I quickly read all of the Lawrence Shames books available. He is truly a joy to read. What a talent for writing. Another book, please, Laurence!

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.

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!

'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.

Fun! Fun! Fun! This book is filled with whacky characters, eccentrics, and bizarre scenes. The author has a great take on a certain type of New York Italians and he has a way of presenting the most bizarre and kinkazoid situations you could ever think of!

The plot centers on the half-son of a New York mafioso who is treated shabbily in New York. He decides to go to Key West to try to become a real mobster. There he meets: Bernie the Shirt, retired mafioso with a chihuahua who needs to wear sun glasses because of an eye condition; a landlord who reads about Nazis while naked in the condo hot tub. This is only the top of the iceberg. The list of crack-up characters would take a whole page.

It was laugh-out loud funny and not only is it hard to find a book like that but we all need that outlet at times.