Customer Reviews

The Heat Islands

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The title refers to those vast expanses of concrete developers have produced as they've urbanized native Florida. It's only mentioned once in the book, but it sets the environmental tone for the story, and for the main character, Doc Ford.

First the good part: White is a top writer with a compact style. He knows the Florida gulf coast locale; his story and characters are consistent and believable, for the most part. This is a series novel. The anchor is Doc Ford, a marine biologist living at a small marina on Sanibel Island. He seems to be loosely patterned after Steinbeck's Ed Ricketts ("The Log From the Sea of Cortez"). Sometimes series novels get a little predictable. I didn't notice it so much here, because this is White's second in the series, and his style is never sing-song. But there were a few characters that I feel sure we'll hear from again in other novels: Dewey, Doc's casual girlfriend, a world-class tennis contender; Walda, Dewey's Romanian tennis friend; and an assortment of fishing guides who work out of the Dinkin's Bay Marina. Others I'm sure we'll never hear from again. You can tell.

The plot orbits the death of a very unpopular local marina owner. White manages to weave some romance and assorted other intrigues into the story before it's over.

Doc's biological knowledge, his keen deductive ability, and his sharp observational skills turn detective once again in this case. Doc also has the enviable ability to learn things but not mention them until just the right time. Remarkable. At first the cops don't want him involved in the investigation, but he eventually solves the case and ties up the loose ends.

Now the bad part: Doc is a formula character, appealing, but still paperback chic: ex Navy SEAL, worked for the CIA and the NSA (we believe, White also has the ability to keep secrets), quiet, soft-hearted--involved in sea anemones, fish larvae, etc. But when the chips are down, and they're down twice in this book, Doc's old killer instinct surfaces, and he turns his very dark skills against the bad guys. You can tell when he's about to do that, a strange look comes in his eyes. "Like he's, what-do-you-call-it, not all there." Have you heard all this before? What the heck, it's only fiction. I can suspend belief for the short time it takes to read this book, but I sometimes yearn for an anti-anti-hero.

Read this book by Randy Wayne White. It's good entertainment, and you won't be tempted to join the Sierra Club after you've finished.

Having never been involved in a Tarpon Tournament, I found the whole premise of the book a delightful surprise. The whole experience came alive for me when reading the pages of this novel. This is a gifted author who knows how to plot a story and bring the reader along on an adventure. Be careful though in reading any Randy Wayne White book: they are addictive.

Love the "Doc Ford" adventures, especially all the references to Florida. Author makes each page an easy read and very hard to put down in the middle of the adventures. Just discovered Randy Wayne White and want more, more, more!!!

HEAT ISLANDS is the second book in the Doc Ford mystery series, after SANIBEL FLATS. Ford, a marine biologist and ex-secret agent, is pulled into trouble when a friend is accused of murder. The case is tied to some shady dealings involving land and the Floridian environment-destroying building boom.
Ford mourns for a lost Florida, everywhere he goes the state has been overrun by tourits and developers. He's trying to hide at a quiet marina, but (like his forefather Travis Mcgee) can't resist a friend in need. White's description of Florida's nature is wonderful. The villain is sort of a stereotypical nut job, but Ford's quiet heroism makes up for it. Recommended.

A sound follow up to White's "Sanibel Flats". Interestingly, White chooses to change his style and still makes it work. He adds an environmental flavor and again comes up with a thoroughly interesting story and a great read.

The Heat Islands is a great book! I highly recommend it. I also recommend Sanibel Flats, the first Doc Ford novel. Growing up in South Florida, reading a Doc Ford novel is just like reading about old friends. Randy White is so accurate in his descriptions of the islands, fishing, the South Florida coastal towns, and the people that live and work there. Doc and his friends are so "real-life". I can't wait for the next one !

If you are looking at this review, you most be new to Randy Wayne White's Doc Ford. That's ok, join the crowd, Doc Ford adventures are great. Great beach reads, great Florida reads, good stories and oh, so great of characters around Dinkins Bay. Doc is a marine biologist with a past life as a government agent. In this book he is off to save a friend and the Sanibel Island area. try White and you will be hooked. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Start with SANIBEL FLATS, the first story, you will soon be here with this one.

I love the character who is much more than he appears to be. Very smooth reading, captures your attention with twists and turns, and for me a very exciting end.

I have read all of Randy Wayne Wright's Doc Ford books and am anxiously awaiting his next. This particular book is the one that really got me hooked into the characters and Doc Ford. Mr. Wright is an unusual writer in that his books are based in Florida and are quite accurate and informative about the state, as well as entertaining about the characters and intriguing about the mysteries he incorporates. I have encouraged several fellow Floridians to read him and they all feel the same way. This man is OUR FLORIDA AUTHOR and in my opinion has John MacDonald beat by a mile.
Keep on writing Randy.

Wonderful series. I would give an "A" rating to this author, Randy Wayne White. Brings Florida right to your doorstep.