Ocean City M.D. [Paperback]

Tom Croft (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998

While fishing in the estuary behind Ocean City, Maryland, Billy Lee, a down and out reporter for a third rate local newspaper, watches a large sport fishing boat come out of the morning fog and unload a group of ragged Chinese aliens. Unknowingly, Billy has stumbled onto a human smuggling ring operated by a depraved ex-physician. Worried that he may have learned too much about their operation, Billy is set up for a murder he did not commit. Possibly betrayed by his ex-wife, he is hunted down by a corrupt group of local police officials as he attempts to clear himself. If you like fascinating characters, fast paced action, and a powerful finish, you'll love Ocean City M.D. It gives new meaning to the phrase "life at the beach!"

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Unambitious fisherman Billy Bob Lee, who works part-time for the Ocean City Times, once had a striking wife, Jill, but she left him years back for brutish John Eastwick, a cop with a second job at Dr. St. John's dog-food plant. By chance, Billy observes the doc's boat, the Bow Wow, unloading Asian immigrants. He interviews St. John, then calls on his Washington Post reporter-friend, Oliver Garrett, for additional information. The story, gripping already, really grabs when Billy is framed for a murder; Eastwick cheerfully, though separately, beats up Billy and Jill; the exes fall back in love (so Billy thinks); and Billy finds out that living in a mosquito-ridden cornfield isn't his idea of fun. There are betrayals in various permutations, and the neatly crafted conclusion is rapid-fire. This is the kind of book you near blindly grab at the airport and later realize was a lucky catch. William Beatty

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Palmer & Stewart Pub; 1 edition (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966199405
• ISBN-13: 978-0966199406
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,675,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tom Croft is a graduate of Shepherd University, Hagerstown Community College, and the Maryland College of Art and Design. Mr. Croft has had a diversity of employment over the past 30 years. He has held positions as a Business Analyst at Dun and Bradstreet; Owned and operated an advertising agency, Croft & Woodard, in the Washington Metropolitan area for 15 years that handled print and radio advertisements; taught Web Design and Advanced Animation for Frederick County Public Schools; owned and operated a rainbow trout fish farm; owned and operated a small delicatessen restaurant; and a job coach for challenged individuals. Mr. Croft has been married for 40+ years and has two children and a graddaughter. Mr. Croft's novels are available as online ebooks. "Ocean City M.D.", "Death Becomes Us All" and "The Mason Dixon Line". Mr. Croft also has an ebook cookbook online too "The Deli Sandwich Cookbook."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a first book, December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ocean City M.D. (Paperback)

This book has a reasonably engaging story line, but the author's inconsistent style and the abysmal editing made the book laughable. Literally. Out loud. It's apparent that Mr. Croft has a fertile imagination, but perhaps should spend more time on writing mechanics and/or should fire his editor. If you can get past the glaring grammatical mistakes, however, you may enjoy the plot. It would make an interesting screenplay -- a format which precludes sentence fragments and dangling participles.

2.0 out of 5 stars Who edited this book?!?!, July 30, 2006

By 

Avid Reader "AR" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ocean City M.D. (Paperback)

This book is so poorly edited (I am giving the author the benefit of the doubt here!), that it is actually a chore to read it. There are glaring grammatical, spelling and continuity errors on almost every page. I read a lot of books and have never seen a worse editing job!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, December 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ocean City M.D. (Paperback)

Fantastic book and a great story. I love the beach and this book made me feel I was right there living it with the characters. Would make a great movie!