“Everything that has happened, everything that will happen, it all exists in this single moment, endlessly surfacing and submerging; natural order, perfect law. The word coincidence is an invention that defines our own confusion better than it describes a unique occurrence.” (p. 313)
I am not much into series books, but when I realized that the new restaurant on the St. Pete Pier, Doc Ford’s, is named after the fictional character created by Randy Wayne White, I decided to get the first book in the series and read about him. Since I have been reading more challenging books lately, this book was a fun read that was most welcome during the holiday season. Like many other popular Floridian authors, White conveys his appreciation for the fauna and flora of Florida as well as the laidback Floridian lifestyle. Doc Ford, the main character, knowledgeable about navigating Sanibel’s waters and terrain, a west coast island, functions as a marine biologist among the people in Sanibel.
Doc, a former CIA operative in Central America, purports to want to slow down his pace but can’t resist getting involved with Central American guerilla warfare when his high school buddy, Rafe Hollins, solicits his help. As the story and mystery develop, it is apparent that Doc thrives on drama as much as his love interests. He befriends Tomlinson, a drug-involved, former academic, and their adventures in Central America dealing with revolutionaries and Mayan history is exciting and charming.
I enjoyed learning about Doc’s shark business as much as his dealings in Central America. If you’re not familiar with Doc Ford, it is well worth your time.
