Black Widow (A Doc Ford Novel Book 15)

Outstanding pace, prose, and scientific validity—without bashing the gentle reader over the head with it’s not-too-subtle but neither too “gotcha” twists. Mr. White is an excellent wordsmith, but an even better plot-master. His Doc Ford series is getting better with each book in the series. Start with book one, and hang in there for the F5 force writing!

OK -- I'm like a shark on a feeding frenzy: I want to read about south Florida. I want to BE there, as good writers can do for me. I'm crazy about Carl Hiaasen, especially his over-the-top ex-governor Skink. I'll be looking for more of Carl here at my bookstore, Amazon.com. I've read all -- sad to say -- Blaize Clement's pet-sitting mysteries taking place on Siesta Key. So I grabbed onto the Doc Ford series with a relish. I LOVE Dinkin's Bay, Doc's house and his friend Tomlinson and his sailboat. This story is a really good read, even though it doesn't take place in Florida. White informs the reader about some of the less savory aspects of luxury retreats, the dangers that could be there, and the problems of blackmail and the abuse of therapeutic massage, all in an entertaining tale. The villains are appropriately over-the-top in craziness and gratuitous cruelty. Doc comes thru as the hero he is. But this story didn't have enough Tomlinson! I really like to read about Florida. I want to follow Doc into the bay or swamp while he gathers specimens, help him sort the keepers from the returns, maybe take a peek thru his microscope, see more of his tanks and aquariums. I want to sail with Tomlinson, see and smell the cabin of the No Mas, see what he's fixing for supper. I know there has to be a quest and problems to solve, which White is very good with. But in his earlier books he did this without taking away the fascinating people who live on the bay, and Tomlinson's totally colorful personality. Back to old times, PLEASE!

Doc Ford is quickly drawn back into action when his god daughter, Shay, is blackmailed just a few days before her wedding. Demanding big money, the blackmailers threaten to reveal videotaped sexual activities Shay and her three bridesmaids engaged in on a pre-wedding getaway trip she arranged to a private beach house on an exclusive island in the Caribbean. The girls manage to scrape together $110, 000, but the blackmailers want more, of course. Using contacts from his former profession, Doc intends to uncover the mastermind behind the blackmail operation, and retrieve or destroy any remaining copies of the incriminating tape. With help from an old contact from his previous secret profession, as well as assistance from a new acquaintance with a similar background and skills, on a similar mission. With his new friend, Doc travels to the island to scope out the blackmailer's operation and develop a plan of action. He finds the operation much more extensive and evil than he had surmised, and the biggest surprise is, the villain is not a man! It is actually run by a white woman, known locally as an "obeah witch," who grows rare orchids, and whose "spa" is a cover for the blackmail operations. This woman comes from an old, powerful, European family, and wields remarkable power over the locals! How Doc and his allies uncover the truth, and defeat the witch and her minions makes for a rollicking, nail-biting thriller, that I couldn't stop reading, as usual. There's also a teaser for the next Doc Ford thriller at the end of this book. What more could you ask for? Randy Wayne White never disappoints!

I’ve truly enjoyed this series, especially learning about octopi and sharks.for some reason, I think this is the best of them all. It truly had a James Bond feel, and I found it rather delightful. I like the friends at Dinkins ,the scary situations and the clever escapes.

In Black Widow, Randy Wayne White has a plot worthy of his writing talents while he avoids some of quirks that have led some to wonder if the Doc has outlived his usefulness as a hero. After fifteen books, there is some build up of back story which sometimes intrudes a bit much. White restrains himself in this one and while giving us some of the best former characters, (Tomlinson at his "guru"est zanyness and Shay Money, now grown up and escaped from her Daddy's clutches); he also introduces some sure to reappear individuals: Sir James, the semi-retired Brit Psyop spook and beautiful Beryl. The premise, a blackmailing scheme based on an exotic Carribean island, batchlorette parties, date rape drugs, handsome beach bums and hidden cameras is more than plausible. These are really bad guys and White does not need to get into a lot of mumbo-jumbo. Doc himself stresses that his profession is science and not superstition. When we do get to the voodoo island, it is clear that the manipulation of belief is at work. The novel's structure: first half set at Sanabel/Captiva environs and second on the exotic island is a familiar White pattern, allowing some Dinkin's Bay parties, whale swimming/stranding and shark threats. Doc's new semi legit job - developing marine toxin potentials for homeland security- does not quite measure up to his wilder adventures, and part of the story at Dinkin's Bay and his teaming up with Sir James have the potential for a sequal novel, but are actually a bit distracting here. There is also a bit of deja vu over again in some scenes, such as a parking lot eavesdropping.One may wonder what he is attempting with the Masonic questions, ie. "Are you a traveler." Could "The Man who Would Be King" be waiting in the wings? Also, the "Set off the alarm and the widow will go for her most valuable treasure is straight out of Sherlock Holmes. White should avoid these old chestnuts. White's biggest problem, however, the aging hero is somewhat ameliorated by the lack of headline references. Still as a poet said, "the girls are younger pinker, and more gradually out of reach." Not quite so for Doc; perhaps, the surprise romantic turn at the end of the novel may portend a more mature characterization about to show up in greater detail in the next novel. In a nod in this direction, Doc can still take care of himself, but we are not faced with the four or five on one beach bar fights, and Doc admits to being a bit out of shape. If you like White, these minor flaws are outweighed by what is his best effort in the last four novels. He has fun with technology, but doesnt get out of control. The political preaching is minimized and events move along at a decent pace. Buy this one, get a comfortable chair in the shade, pour a cold drink and enjoy.