Rating: 
Summary: Spending a heart-pounding evening with Doc Ford & Tomlinson
Review: There is nothing better than spending an evening with another exciting Doc Ford novel. Randy Wayne White captures the feel of South Florida and reflects it flawlessly in his easy style. The thing I like the most is how he sweeps the reader along in a straight path without jumping around from scene to scene. Yeah, the prologue was a flash-forward, but I'll give him that one.
Rating: 
Summary: A solid effort
Review: This has been my first encounter with White and his Doc Ford novels, and it surely won't be the last. White has written a compelling novel, loosely based upon some tragic events in the history of FLorida's southwest coast. In the 1960's, a teen with a remarkable knack for unearthing ancient Calusa Indian artifacts committed suicide under very odd circumstances, after uncovering a mysterious relic. White takes that premise and weaves a compelling mystery involivng corrupt politicians, ruthless developers, gothic punk teens, graverobbing, etc. White is a fishing guide in Fort Myers, and so he and his protagonist Doc Ford seem most at home on or near the water, where much of this novel takes place. There are also sojourns in the Florida Keys, Marco Island, and of course Dinkins Bay, where Doc makes his living in odd fashion collecting marine specimens when he is not risking life and limb on the heels of a mystery. White is a fine writer, not exactly a master of dialogue but someone who effectively builds suspense while creating a very effective and believable environment.
Rating:
Summary: A solid effort
Review: This has been my first encounter with White and his Doc Ford novels, and it surely won't be the last. White has written a compelling novel, loosely based upon some tragic events in the history of FLorida's southwest coast. In the 1960's, a teen with a remarkable knack for unearthing ancient Calusa Indian artifacts committed suicide under very odd circumstances, after uncovering a mysterious relic. White takes that premise and weaves a compelling mystery involivng corrupt politicians, ruthless developers, gothic punk teens, graverobbing, etc. White is a fishing guide in Fort Myers, and so he and his protagonist Doc Ford seem most at home on or near the water, where much of this novel takes place. There are also sojourns in the Florida Keys, Marco Island, and of course Dinkins Bay, where Doc makes his living in odd fashion collecting marine specimens when he is not risking life and limb on the heels of a mystery. White is a fine writer, not exactly a master of dialogue but someone who effectively builds suspense while creating a very effective and believable environment.
Rating:
Summary: HE DID IT AGAIN
Review: THIS HAS BEEN RANDY'S BEST BOOK YET IN MY OPINION. I FOUND IT VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN AND CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE NOW. LIVING IN THE AREA THAT RANDY WROTE ABOUT IT'S FUN TO DRIVE TO THE AREA AND SEE EVERYTHING AS IT WAS WRITTEN. HAVING MADE THE TRIP DOWN PAST FLAMINGO BY FLATS BOAT AND BACK TO MARCO NUMEROUS TIMES IN STORMS AND CALM WEATHER IT'S EASY TO PLACE YOURSELF BEHIND THE WHEEL OF FORD'S BOAT. I LOVED THE HISTORY LESSON DURING THE STORY ABOUT THE CALUSA INDIANS AND I HOPE THE NEXT BOOK IS JUST AS INFORMATIVE.
Rating:
Summary: White Upholds Florida's Reputation
Review: This is a first-time read of one of Randy Wayne White's books. He's highly regarded in mystery circles and is from the talent rich Florida area (Carl Hiassen is my favorite). In TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS he doesn't do anything to tarnish his or Florida's reputation. Doc Ford is a marine biologist who captures sea creatures for laboratories around the world. He becomes involved in a mystery that began 15 years earlier when a gifted girl found a 400 year old medallion and was later found hanging, supposedly by suicide. After her grave is dug up, Ford becomes deeply involved with a wide array of unforgettable characters. The father-son duo of rich politicians in search of higher office are the main villains set square in the sights of acid-tongued Ford and his uncanny intelligence and physical ability to get out of trouble. He doggedly pursues those who interfere with his attempt to solve the mystery and find the medallion. He cleverly disposes of his enemies in unique ways that are creative and permanent. This was a fast and entertaining read, well worth the time on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
Review: This is one great series. If you haven't had an opportunity to read White yet, start now. This entry has the usual players in a lean and fast paced adventure. Stealing a concept from John D.,White crafts an ending that speeds to retribution and makes us start looking for "Shark River"
Rating:
Summary: Best Doc Ford ever!
Review: This last installment in the Doc Ford series is the best. Slightly edges out "Sanibel Flats". By the way, I think it is imperative to have read "Sanibel Flats" prior to reading this one. This book is tightly plotted and has you going from the first chapter. Probably the most Travis McGee-like of all the Doc Ford novels. The characters are richly drawn and the Florida coast is written by White better than anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Doc Ford is Back!
Review: This new Doc Ford novel is a combination of the best of his previous titles. Those who enjoyed the "Man Who Invented Florida," and the straightforward style of "Captiva," will like this novel that combines the best of both books. Without giving away the plot, this novel concerns an unscrupulous politican, an oncomming hurricane, and the beauty of the Ten Thousand Islands area of Southwest Florida and Key Largo. The most important element is the Calusa artifact that has caused a sequence of events to be set in motion. The history of the artifact, and the Calusa Indians, is rendered in a way that is not only informative but enjoyable. This is an easy read, with crisp dialoge, and the characters are all memorable. If you love Doc Ford you are sure to enjoy this title, if you are new to the series I Highly recommended it. I Just finished an interesting book: "A Tourist in the Yucatan" While not perfect, I did find it a convincing thriller, & especially fun if you have traveled in Yucatan.
Rating:
Summary: Latest Doc Ford one of the best
Review: This new Doc Ford novel is one of the best entries yet in the series, and is unmissable if you are already a fan; if you're new to White's novels, then this is a great way to start out. It combines the historical lore of "The Man Who Invented Florida" with the crisp style of "Captiva"; this novel is perhaps more "unputdownable" then some of the others. The action takes place in Southwest Florida and the Keys, and concerns an unscrupulous politican, a Calusa artifact, and a dangerous hurricane. White's characters are some of his sharpest yet, and the suspense kicks in from the first page. Mystery novels, and in particular Florida mystery novels, don't get much better than this one. If you are partial to that sort of thing, then don't miss "Ten Thousand Islands."
Rating:
Summary: Take G. Kenny off your list
Review: Unlike certain frustrated, unpublished wanna-bes who trash accomplished writers to elevate their own failure, I actually read the books I review. I just finished Randy Whites TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS and I agree with Publishers Weekly and all other reviewers: It is Excellent! The story takes place in Southwest Florida and the Keys, and concerns an unscrupulous politician, and a pre-Columbian artifact that is real, according to the preface. Whites characters are so real they leave the page and come to life. Like another reviewer, I laughed like crazy and also came darn close to tears. The book was so good, I've now read it twice and have put it away to read again in the future.
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