Mango Bay, the latest novel in the Mango Bob series by Bill Myers. Laugh out loud funny, filled with zany characters living life in a sleepy beach town on Florida’s west coast.Take an unemployed computer hacker living in an RV on the beach, add in a cranky cat named Mango Bob, Oscar the wiener dog, a pot smuggling granny, and a aging Hollywood movie star out to reclaim lost glory.Put them all together in a clothing optional trailer park with a larcenous park manager, and what do you get? Mango Bay!
Bill Myers was born into a Christian home, and although as a child he became bored with Christianity, he decided at the University of Washington quote, to "make God my boss." Ironically, at the University his worst subject was writing. He claims to have prayed, and said that he would be able to do anything for God, except write. Even so, he has become a prominent Christian writer, and has a large amount of successful books and films to his credit.
Before we get too far Mango Bob is a cat. His adventures are limited to eating and sleep all the while traveling around with his pet man. We meet a great deal of fun people and some not so nice. We meet Homeland security officials that add to the problems faced by the residents of Serenity Cove, a great RV park on the water. I'm not going to give too much away because then you will have to read this book. Trust me though it is a fun read.
The third book in the Mango Bob series and each one gets better IMHO! This series is a must read for fans of Carl Hiaasen and Paul Levine. Looking forward to the next one being published.
When Walker and feline Mango Bob need a new place to stay, their friend Anna finds them a place at an over-50, clothing-optional trailer park. Walker agrees to upgrade the wifi at the park and keep an eye on the place, noting what updates it might need in general. Others mistake him for an undercover cop. As always, he and Bob quickly make new friends, including his neighbors Polly and Oscar, who will greatly impact their lives. Walker's usual quiet life is overrun with adventure in this installment: shifty characters, drugs, theft, brushes with celebrity, a budding romance, a boat chase, and big purchases, to name just a few. I love this series, and I love this book! I think Walker is a wonderful man of integrity that I'd want on my side. And, Bob is such a charmer! The new characters were interesting, and the setting was nice. I greatly enjoyed the pacing as well. I'll admit there were a few tense moments, especially involving Oscar, but they added to the story in that how Walker dealt with them showed just how awesome he is. Again, I find myself anxiously awaiting the next installment in this lovely series!
The part of the book that I found most enjoyable is the setting. Most of the action takes place in my own back yard of the west coast of Florida near Venice. Myers does a good job on the atmosphere but he does get a bit bogged down in the physical directions - "3 lights past the Publix, turn on ..." etc. And since I have a soft spot for Florida settings and Florida authors you might ask why only 3 stars. Well the story and writing are simplistic, the characters are stereotypical and the story fairly predictable. The "official government" aspect is just plain unrealistic. I also wonder about the designation that it is the third in the "Mango Bob" series. Mango Bob is a cat and unlike other novels featuring pets, he has nothing to do with the plot. Begs food, attention, and complains about the cat box and naps - hey, he's a cat, they all do that - but he could have been left out altogether and had no effect on the story. Still, it is a quick, fun read. Take it to Venice Beach as a nice touch when you are kicked back on the sand.
As far as depth goes I probably wouldn't rate Mango Bay at 5 stars. But I did give it a 5 star rating because I have truly always wanted to buy an RV and live in Florida, meeting new people and experiencing the lifestyles of snowbirds and life long floridians alike. I can't truly imagine things happening the way they did when it comes to Walker's adventures but what I like most are the people Walker meets, they seem like people you could actually run into and form friendships with. Buck and Polly are true characters! I hope they are based on real people that Bill H Myers has met! I also like the facts included in the story about Florida, RVs, campgrounds and houseboats. For me, it adds to the realism and makes me yearn for my dream of living like Walker and Mango Bob. Even if I never get to do it, these stories will allow me to live my dream vicariously through them.
Another story about Bob and his cat. He's located in Serenity Cove, an RV location. The person on-site manager seems to be useless and there has been break ins and problems with drugs.
He saves a guy's life, buys a jeep he can tow behind his RV and finds out a friend's RV there has been broken into and trashed. He ends up involved with federal agents who seem to not be there when he needs them and expected them.
So all he has to do is solve the drug/theft problems on his own while still surviving. If he survives, he needs to decide if he wants to buy the whole RV camp or just move on somewhere else.
It's a little harsher than the first books in the series and sometimes Bob seems to be almost too good to be true yet it's still a book that is fairly well done.
Mango Bob and Walker get involved with a kidnapped seiner dog, Homeland Security and a Hollywood star
I have liked all the books in The Mango Bob series. This one is no exception. Walker is just looking for a place to park his motor home. But nothing is ever easy for him and his CST, Mango Bob. Their adventure gets them involved saving a dachshund from a drug smuggler. Helping Walker is a Hollywood star, another smart and pretty woman, and a Homeland Security agent. Jyst an ordinary week for Walker.
So far the series is a simple fun read with likable characters. The one thing that is driving me nuts is the inconsistencies in the backstory. One book he servers three tours. In another book, he served two. In the ending of the last book he already knew that Anna was going to move her trailer next to him. This one starts with it being news to him.
Others have already mentioned the grammar problems...
Another fun episode in John Everett Walker's life in Florida. This time he and Bob move to a trailer park and agree to do a little undercover work for the owner. His job leads him to new friends, saving a man's life, becoming friends with a movie star, and doing Homeland security 's job for them. Great characters, fun plot, and terrific location mix together for a book that leaves you wanting more!
Drug Drops, Embezzling R. V park managers, washed up movie stars, a possible awkward love triangle, incompetent Homeland security agents, a wiener dog named after wieners, and a funny named tugboat are just some of the things awaiting our main character, in the 3rd installment of the Mango Bob series. Oh and I mean the human main character, not the series name sake , cause well he's a cat and the only things he cares about are having a full food dish and a clean litter box.
The characters are both likeable and believable. The plot is sound and the language and style of the writing makes it enjoyable and easy to read. I woulld love to meet Mango Bob. This is the second book I've read from this author and im pleased to see there are more.
I so enjoyed this book from beginning to the end.I seriously didn't want the book to end it was so good. I loved all the colorful characters and their escapades!. I look forward to reading all of the additional books and see what new adventures await them. P.S. I love Mango Bob! What a loveable big kitty! Thanks for the great read!.....😊M.L.
Just love this series by Bill H Meyers. This is the 5th of the 11 book series I have read and am anxious to move to the next book, "Mango Key". The author grabs your attention from the start and keeps you wanting more to the end. I highly recommend the Mango series to everyone.
I’ve just finished this, the third in the series and once again it’s been a great experience. I now know I have read these first three books when they were first published around ten years ago. Which means I have two more that I bought back then that I have to look forward to reading plus all the five or six more in the series. I can’t wait.
This is the third book in the Mango Bob series that I have read. Each one has been light and lots of fun with a little suspense thrown in. I'm looking forward to reading book four.
I enjoy this fun series, although I think Walker has a lot of very defective women in his life. This story has a bit more action/adventure than the previous books but it is still an easy read. Enjoying the series and looking forward to reading the next one.
I have just started the books I have read 3 and will continue to read them all ! I lived in Florida and had to more to another state in 2019. I believe Florida is the best state, I read Florida Writers and keeps me feeling close to Florida . Please keep writing! PB
I love the Mango Bob series!! This episode, wasn't as engaging in the beginning as the first two, but I want going to give up on Walker. So I kept reading and the excitement picked up! Another good adventure for Walker and Bob!!
A fun read with well developed characters. Trials and tribulations move at a quick pace, keeping the pages turning. Hope John soon gets his love life on track!
Such an entertaining read...Great cast of character's...Especially Mango Bob....Quite an adventurous story looking forward to more of them....Even had a few good laughs....Thanks for an enjoyable quick read ....M.L.🙂
So Mango Bob is a cat who doesn't really do much for the story except be a cat (which is as it should be). A merry little tale set in Florida with a bunch of nice people solving a drugs mystery in spite of the feds. Light read but lacking the Hiasson level of craziness
Nothing earth-shattering but interesting characters and very little cursing. I will definitely read more books by Mr Meyers; in fact, I am going to start anyone this very afternoon.
A light hearted enjoyable read. I have read some of the Mango stories and have enjoyed them all. I would recommend this book, it is a quick read you will not want to put down.
Mango Bob ...I really enjoyed stories very good reading,fast moving and interesting. Enjoy reading stories.by this author .Looking forward to more free stories from him
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was an excellent read that kept my interest to the end. Not over the top and believable. Good protagonist that manages to win out in the end. Interesting characters and good plot. Highly recommend this book.