Tue 29 Dec 2015
Reviewed by Barry Gardner: RANDY WAYNE WHITE – The Heat Islands.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[11] Comments
RANDY WAYNE WHITE – The Heat Islands. St. Martin’s, hardcover, 1992; paperback, February 1993.
I’d been unaware of White’s books until the ladies at The Mystery Bookstore here very kindly loaned me the advance proofs of the current offering. The first in the series, Sanibel Flats, evidently didn’t make it to my local library branch, and I somehow missed seeing it reviewed.
Ford is a marine biologist with his own small biological supply company, operated out of a stilt house on Sanibel Island, Florida, that is both home and laboratory. All told, it’s the laid-back good life.
As we begin, the most hated man on the barrier islands is found floating face down in Dinkin‘s Bay. He was the owner/operator of the local marina, and had alienated enough people that suspects were in plentiful supply. One of Doc’s friends, a fishing guide, quickly becomes the prime suspect, but Doc doesn’t believe it, and begins his own investigation. An oddball relationship with a lady tennis pro enlivens things somewhat.
You know, I just can’t think of a whole lot to say about this one. I enjoyed reading it, in a mild sort of way; White writes adequately enough; Old Doc is a decent enough leading man; there really wasn’t anything to gripe about, so why aren’t I more positive? I don’t know, but I’m not.
Good enough for checking out of the library, but I’m glad I didn’t buy it.
December 29th, 2015 at 9:42 pm
I sat down to read the first in the series “Sanibel Flats” after everyone was raving about it. I got about 3/4 through it and finally put it down for good. I couldn’t see a “there” there!
December 29th, 2015 at 10:36 pm
My reaction to these was the same as Barry’s. I read one, it was all right, but I couldn’t stir myself to buy one or do much work to seek them out. Paul nails it, no there there.
December 30th, 2015 at 12:06 am
I’ll chime in also, singing the same song. I read one Doc Ford book, it was OK, and although I’ve always thought I might, I never really had the urge to read another. He has his fans, though. #23 in the series will be coming out next year.
December 30th, 2015 at 9:12 am
I couldn’t get interested enough to even make it through one of them. Glad I’m not the only one.
December 30th, 2015 at 9:58 am
I am really quite curious about the disconnect between the five of us who have expressed opinions so far (including Barry) and those who love this book and the rest of the series. Reviewers on Amazon, for example, give this one 4.4 stars out of 5.0.
One such reviewer, who otherwise gives the book four stars, says this, which gave me an inkling of an answer:
“Doc is a formula character, appealing, but still paperback chic.”
December 30th, 2015 at 12:33 pm
I have read probably the first twelve or thirteen books, and very much enjoyed them. I thought the characters were fleshed out and Doc an interesting but not superman character. As the books go along, you also get a feel for the bit characters, which have personalities of their own.
Early in Flats, Doc goes to a funeral in which the minister/priest says a few words about the deceased, and even in a couple of paragraphs the clergy comes alive. To me, that is White’s strength as a writer.
I haven’t read the last ten books, but that is probably more character tiredness, than not liking the writer. Will definitely read more of the Ford books, so I guess that puts me on the other side of the opinion poll.
December 30th, 2015 at 1:51 pm
A view from the other side is always welcome. Thanks, David!
With so many other books and authors to read, I don’t know if I’ll ever give the Doc Ford books another try or not. I’d like to think I would, but ???
December 30th, 2015 at 2:39 pm
It might be worth a try. The author wrote a bunch of pbo’s as Carl Ramm and Randy Stryker before these books, but although Flats, Heat Islands and Man Who Invented Florida were good, they did get even better as the series progressed.
Also, the first couple of books were published by St Martin’s, and are pretty scarce, he seemed to hit his stride with Captiva, which was published by Putnam. I wonder how many people “discovered” him once Putnam started publishing his work.
January 1st, 2016 at 4:38 pm
I have read every one starting with Sanibel Flats in paperback. I have first editions of all the others. The books are strongest when White keeps Ford around the Sanibel and Captiva islands region in Florida.
January 1st, 2016 at 7:20 pm
I’ve gotten the impression that if you connect with the characters as a reader, you’re going to want to follow all of their adventures and everything Randy White has to say about the region they have them in.
January 3rd, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Gotta love an honest review. I like the Florida setting, and it might be the perfect antidote to Hiaasen’s trademark hysteria. I’m in the public library now. Off I go to check…