Who in Hell Is Wanda Fuca? [Mass Market Paperback]

G.M. Ford (Author)

Book Description

Series: Leo Wateman Mystery | Publication Date: October 1, 1996

Leo Waterman was born and bred in Seattle, Washington, and his father had contacts that ranged from the highest offices to the lowest dives. Those contacts are useful in Leo's pursuit of a profession as a private investigator. Of course, as a not-completely-rehabilitated hippie, Leo does go about things his own way. His best legmen (and women) are folks he knows from the kinds of bars the tourist board doesn't acknowledge, and they live wherever they can - including the streets. It makes sense: They're virtually invisible. With all that going for him, it's no wonder that Waterman receives the kind of call he can't refuse from aging mobster Tim Flood. Tim's granddaughter, Caroline, is involved in something and she won't talk about it. Beautiful, willful, and her grandfather's kin, she's been able to get around anyone he's sent after her. So, Leo gets his marching orders: Bring Caroline home. Safe. Unfortunately, the crowd she's running with has its own agenda ... and Caroline really does want to do something about the environment....

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Just out in paperback, Ford's jaunty first mystery introduces a Seattle sleuth called Leo Waterman -- the rebellious scion of a powerful family who carries the spirit of the '60s around with him like dirty laundry. When an old mobster friend of his father hires him to look for his missing granddaughter, Leo recruits a clutch of homeless people to help in the search. The same lively writing and exciting plotting also add zest to Ford's second Waterman story, Cast in Stone.

From Publishers Weekly

Debut entry in the Leo Waterman series, starring a Seattle-based private eye with an off-beat sense of humor.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Avon (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380727617
• ISBN-13: 978-0380727612
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #933,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a hoot! :D, December 7, 2000

By 

Michael R. Eiger "avid reader" (Hillsborough, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Who in Hell Is Wanda Fuca? (Mass Market Paperback)

I realize this is more of a "me-too" review than any particularly earthshattering revelation about the plot or the author, but as I sit here laughing just thinking about the story, all I can say is "me too"! From Ford's name to his characters (and you'll HAVE to smile when you discover Wanda!), his books are just FUN -- yes, drama, intrigue, suspense, but there's this undercurrent of a man who most of us probably would love to be at least at some point in our lives. In any case, while it's not a great masterstroke of literature, if you're looking for some entertainment for your reading time and money, pick up Wanda. You won't be sorry! :D

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who the hell IS Wanda Fuca?, June 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Who in Hell Is Wanda Fuca? (Mass Market Paperback)

I always said I was a Ford person, and I'll forgive G.M. Ford his conflicting name since his writing is some of the best I've seen wash in over the transom in several years. Leo Waterman is a refreshingly original detective who just about everyone with a firm grip on reality can relate to.

When an old disreputable friend of Leo's father makes a request of him that he "can't refuse," Leo delves into the sometimes fanatical realm of environmental politics in search of Caroline Nobel, a spoiled little rich brat without a lick of sense bent on changing the world. With the help of "the Boys" -- a group of aging winos who are his modern day "Baker Street Irregulars" -- Leo fights Native American tribal politics, industrial polution, and psychotic grannies to fulfill his obligation to a friend.

Ford's writing is entertaining, page-turning excitement, with humor and spice sprinkled throughout. If you don't chuckle, you're brain-dead. His writing is vaguely reminiscent of Carl Hiaasen's tongue-in-cheek humor.

And yes, you do find out who Wanda Fuca is.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun quick read, March 16, 2000

By 

Mitchell Ayer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who in Hell Is Wanda Fuca? (Mass Market Paperback)

A wisecracking P.I. is hired by a Mafia don to ride herd on his beautiful nymphomaniac niece (or great niece) who is mixed up with a not so swift bunch of environmental terrorists. Murders by unknown persons occur. What's not to like about this plot line. The writing has an upbeat humorous tone. When describing the possibility of a drive-by shootin in a wealthy neighborhood, Waterman says "The only way there could be a drive by shooing in that neighborhood is if they used a Mercedes seeking cruise missle." On the constant rain in Seattle-"living in Seattle is like being married to a beautiful woman who is always sick.

Although tempted by two beautiful women who propostion him, the hero retains his virtue. (Note to author:this is fiction you will not get an STD.) The description of the environmental convention is humorous-one bumper sticker-"Pregnancy is a sexually transmitted disease."

Waterman uses a group of former upper middle class now alcoholics to do his surveillance. Kind of the Baker Street irregulars but older and drunker. About the fifth time he has a problem with their drinking on the job I wanted to scream-Duh-what do you expect when you hire boozers. However, all in all, a fun read.