Rating: 
Summary: more of a southwest Florida travelogue than a crime novel
Review: 'Shark River' is one of those perfectly amiable comic crime novels set in Florida. Carl Hiaasen is the master of the trade, Randy Wayne White is a mere wannabe ... judging by this book. Oh, 'Shark River' is a pleasant read; the pages just float on by. But the author seemed to be wrapped up in describing southwest Florida's flora and fauna than providing the reader with a decent mystery. And so this book will be quickly forgotten by this reader.
As for the story, well we have Doc Ford once again fighting off nasty drug dealers. He also discovered he has a sister/cousin, a rowdy Bahamian woman who creates both attention and trouble. Throw in some wacky characters and a little treasure-hunting and you have ... again, a pleasant yet forgettable read.
Bottom line: probably not worth the bother. Try any of Carl Hiaasen's books instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Escape!
Review: All the Doc Ford novels are superb: literary, funny but also full of action. They might be a tad sophisticated for some, but I await each new release with anticipation, then try to savor them slowly. With Shark River? Impossible. Once I started I couldn't top. I'd give this book nine stars if I could. (I give it ten, but I could have used a little more of sidekick Tomlimson's philosophizing, and a tad less action>) The action IS warp-speed, the characters vividly drawn and the plot is laced with intrigue and suspense leave no doubt that Randy Wayne White is one of the finest writers in America today. Doc Ford's marine studies on the island of Guava Key are interrupted when he finds himself in the middle of a deadly kidnapping plot involving Colombian drug traffickers and the daughter of a powerful US diplomat. Added to the mix is a beautiful Bahamian woman claiming to be Doc's sister ( A wonderful woman character!), a pair of Rastafarian thugs, and a real live sunken treasure. Once again, Mr. White creates a vivid sense of place with his descriptions of southwestern Florida, and includes what has become his trademark O'Henry encking. Also recommended: The entire Doc Ford series, begining with Sanibel Flats, which, I was pleased to discover, was selected by the Independent Myster Booksellers Association (edited by Jim Huang) as one of the 100 best mysteries of the 20th century...
Rating:
Summary: Doc kicks butt
Review: Another chapter in the Doc Ford saga. This series is surely one of the tops out there at the moment and maybe one of the best of all time. Doc Ford is a great character and a nice contrast to the "out there" Tomlinson. This book will make you laugh and keep you turning pages until you get to the end and say " I need more Doc". I can't wait until the next book comes out. It's like visiting with a group of old friends. A "must" read series!!
Rating:
Summary: What a great book.
Review: As good as any RWW book. Only problem is that I go through them so fast that it seems to take to long for the next one to come out.
Rating: 
Summary: Another good Doc Ford novel
Review: At one time, the classic Florida mystery novel came from John MacDonald and the Travis McGee series. Since MacDonald's passing around fifteen years ago, various authors have tried to fill the void left by McGee's absence. Randy Wayne White and Doc Ford is the one of the best at filling this niche.Ford has some similarities to McGee, but he is also distinctly individual. An ex-government agent who is not trying to live a quiet life as a marine biologist, Ford occasionally is drawn into perilous situations as a result of either his own past, or as in this story, accident. In this case, Ford happens upon and averts a kidnaping attempt, which entangles him in the lives of both the victim and the kidnapers. In addition, Ford has to deal with a woman who claims to be his sister, who involves him in a legacy left by his shady uncle. This is not the best Doc Ford novel. In particular, the story tends to meander at times, and there is no truly nasty villain (unlike previous books) to oppose Ford. Some incidents in the story, in particular an incident where Ford tries to reconcile two lovers, contribute nothing to the story and offer only minimal insight into Ford's character. While there are flaws, this is still a good book and if you like mysteries, especially those set around Florida, this one will be worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: Another good Doc Ford novel
Review: At one time, the classic Florida mystery novel came from John MacDonald and the Travis McGee series. Since MacDonald's passing around fifteen years ago, various authors have tried to fill the void left by McGee's absence. Randy Wayne White and Doc Ford is the one of the best at filling this niche. Ford has some similarities to McGee, but he is also distinctly individual. An ex-government agent who is not trying to live a quiet life as a marine biologist, Ford occasionally is drawn into perilous situations as a result of either his own past, or as in this story, accident. In this case, Ford happens upon and averts a kidnaping attempt, which entangles him in the lives of both the victim and the kidnapers. In addition, Ford has to deal with a woman who claims to be his sister, who involves him in a legacy left by his shady uncle. This is not the best Doc Ford novel. In particular, the story tends to meander at times, and there is no truly nasty villain (unlike previous books) to oppose Ford. Some incidents in the story, in particular an incident where Ford tries to reconcile two lovers, contribute nothing to the story and offer only minimal insight into Ford's character. While there are flaws, this is still a good book and if you like mysteries, especially those set around Florida, this one will be worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book Mr. White!
Review: Because I live it Florida, I enjoy most of the Florida writers, but Randy Wayne White is my favorite by far. Just finished Shark River, and it is one of my favorite Doc Ford novels. Liked it even better than Captiva, which is saying something. Highly recommended, but you may want to start with the first in the series, Sanibel Flats, and read them all.
Rating:
Summary: Page turner
Review: Couldn't put it down. What better praise for a book than that. Not "on the edge of your seat suspense" but you sure do want to know what happens next. Each Doc Ford mystery gives the reader further insight into all those quirky characters at Dinkin's Bay. I wish that White would sign a movie deal (cast Kramer as Tomlinson). What a hoot! The last two Doc Ford's have been White's best stuff. Keep 'em coming.
Rating:
Summary: Shark River - A Doc Ford fan delight
Review: Doc Ford fans will not be disappointed with Shark River. White once again brings us a tale of intrigue, suspense, humor and pain. When Ford interferes with an attempted kidnapping when he supposed to be relaxing with his hippy friend Tomlinson, he finds himself in the middle of a drug cartel plot gone wrong. As a result, he has murderous Columbians after him from the beginning of the story. Female fans of Ford may feel a sense of "Oh no...not another male midlife crisis!" when Ford appears to become romantically attached (or is it physically?) to the much younger would-be victim, but take heart, ladies - the scene is integral to the plot and part of Doc Ford's way of complicating his life when he really just wants to keep it simple. The story has the right mix of suspense, a well-developed plot and characters that the reader cares about. Doc Ford fans love his complexity, and in Shark River, we see Ford wrestle with serious pain from his past - both professional and personal. White's strength in developing multi-dimensional characters shines when we are introduced to Doc Ford's "sister" Ransom. Straight from a tiny island in the Bahamas, Ransom is sweet and strong, bawdy and beautiful. Like Tomlinson, fans will look forward to seeing more of Ransom in the future. Readers who enjoy quality narrative will appreciate the fine description of south Florida from the eyes of a marine biologist who does not share the commonly held view that development means prosperity. White takes us to another plane, causes us to think, evaluate and challenge. Whether you live on Sanibel or in Seattle, you will love Shark River.
Rating:
Summary: Great Florida thriller
Review: I didn't give it 5 stars because the writing is spotty, with sections of superb writing peppered with sections where stupid errors of fact or logic irritate, and the writing drifts into the mediocre. Ford is alternately a superman, then strangely passive. In a charming interlude the author gives us a description of the tides in the Gulf which is instructive and beautifully written, all too short. Descriptions of Florida scenes and flora and fauna are generally right on the mark. I liked the detailed description of the horseshoe crab and its biology. Ford was instructed to kill Tomlinson, but made friends with him instead. He should have followed orders and shot him, but I guess that would have shortened the story too much. Most of the other characters are likable, though strange. I will read other books by the author, if for nothing else, the really good Florida descriptions.
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