Tomlinson's Wake: A Doc Ford Novel

Doc Ford #28

by Randy Wayne White

Doc Ford returns for a perilous journey into Mesoamerica after a world-shattering earthquake threatens his family's safety—and all of their lives

In the wake of a killer hurricane, Doc Ford heads to Honduras, where his best friend, Tomlinson, crashed his beloved sailboat into a reef off the Mosquito Coast. Tomlinson swears he died in the shipwreck and was brought back to life by a runaway orphan—the direct descendant of the last king of the ancient Mayan people.

Corrupt politicians want the child out of the picture before he catalyzes a revolution among the Indigenous population. But the boy, a charismatic twelve-year-old, has gone underground with the help of Tomlinson and a network of street urchins. They're all on the run and in the crosshairs when Ford arrives and picks up his friend’s trail.

The Marina family has already suffered the death of one key member, and Ford is determined not to burden his homeless friends with yet another funeral wake. What no one is prepared for, however, is a cataclysmic earthquake that hits the area with the impact of a meteor that nearly destroyed all life on earth more than sixty million years ago.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Adventure, Espionage, Humor

331 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2025

About the author

aka Carl Ramm, Randy Striker

Randy Wayne White (born 1950) is an American writer of crime fiction and non-fiction adventure tales. He has written best-selling novels and has received awards for his fiction and a television documentary. He is best known for his series of crime novels featuring the retired NSA agent Doc Ford, a marine biologist living on the Gulf Coast of southern Florida. White has contributed material on a variety of topics to numerous magazines and has lectured across the United States. A resident of Southwest Florida since 1972, he currently lives on Pine Island, Florida, where he is active in South Florida civic affairs and with the restaurant Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grill on nearby Sanibel Island.

Series:
* Doc Ford Mystery

Reviews

[foster shepherd · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read many of the doc fords books and am a fan. This one was very disappointing. It was just a rambling mess.
I recently went out of the way to eat at the doc ford restaurent on the pier in st pete and bought a tee shirt so I am a fan but Randy you are better than this one.

[Pat Bogenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book - I love this series. It was really disappointing and I think the 3 stars was a gift. Plot and story was all over the place and the e book from my library seems to be minus the wild earthquake ending! I did finish it because it was Randy Wayne White but kinda feel it was a waste of time.

[Yolanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ive read all his books and this one just was ok .it never really had a plot . The characters outside of doc and Tomlinson were not interesting and the story went nowhere. The ending made no sense
This one was a huge disappointment

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know how you sort of drift off watching something on TV and wake up now and then, trying to figure out who the people are, what they're doing, why they're doing it...this book was like that.
To be fair, I wasn't familiar with the characters since I hadn't read any of the other Doc Ford books.
I can't see how that would be much help, though. The story was disjointed, the characters boring and the resolution pretty much non-existent.

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed in this book. lt reads more like one of Tim Dorsey's Serge Storm books than Doc Ford.

[Don Gorman · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2 1/2). I have read an awful lot of the Doc Ford books, and this has to be one of the weaker efforts. Very scattered, very unstructured and, IMO, not very rewarding. Doc does his thing and Tomlinson sort of does his thing, but the whole plot is all over the place and too hard to follow. Not up to Randy Wayne White's usual standards. OK stuff.

[Terri Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have read all 28 Doc Ford books and i was kind of hoping that this one had a lot more Tomlinson in it. Doc found Tomlinson alive with his boat No Mas shipwrecked in Honduras...my problem is what happened to Tomlinson during the hurricane between book 27 and 28... what led to him being shipwrecked in Honduras ...kind of disappointed that there wasn't any of that backstory. Well...Doc finds Tomlinson in a tree house in the jungle and he has a huge tale about the lost King of the Mayans, a narcissistic archeologist who was formerly Miss Honduras and her niece, a doctor. There is a shaman whom Tomlinson has connected with and who drugs him with a zombie drug as the shaman and the archeologist are looking for the last living King of the Mayans and a jade mask. Also along this ride is the Giant...a huge bodyguard and Tomlinson's old drug runner buddy who drives a taxi. The problem is that Tomlinson has a concussion and Doc is trying to get him to go with him to a hospital...That isn't going to happen and Tomlinson disappears...as he does a number of times in this book and then reappears in the strangest and not predictable manner. There was a lot going on and it was kind of hard to follow. it was interesting because obviously it all worked out in the end...Now...the one thing that I was surprised about was Tomlinson's reaction to seeing Doc do his secret agent thing...on the one hand he was surprised and then has a complete turn around. And never talks to Doc about it...at least not in this book...I don't know if Tomlinson ever gets back to Florida because it seems he buys a bar and a boat to replace No Mas and Doc returns to Honduras a month after the story is over....with guys from the Marina for a party but apparently the mission isn't over and whoever is still trying to kill Doc...who can he trust... anyway...Maybe White will tell us in Book 29...

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read quite a few strands in this author's different series, and while they are not favorites, they are usually enjoyable. This one, involving Doc Ford is a bit extreme in several ways. It is set in Honduras, which is a country that most Americans, myself included have little first hand knowledge of and has been villainized in the immigration sagas. This does nothing to change any of that, it is populated with drug dealers and not sympathetic in any way. It has him doing a daring thing and kind of unprepared, which is more irritating than thrilling, and overall, I would skip the next one unless it landed in my lap (which could happen--if my spouse reads it, I will too), but would not seek it out.

[Designsk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ishana

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a huge Doc Ford fan and have read all 28 books in this series plus many of Randy’s other books.
This one was a disappointment.
The plot was just so so and the characters were lacklustre and the entire thing was hard to follow.
Randy, please take everyone back to Dinkin’s Bay.

[John Bodnar · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good read. it picks up, somewhat, from the last book in the series, so it pretty much jumps into the action without needing much setup.

[PeggySue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomlinson’s Wake by Randy Wayne White
Narrator, George Guidall
Doc Ford book 28
Whooee! What a wild ride. This is definitely not the place to start this series but for long time readers it was a great addition. We have the Honduran jungle, man eating critters, poisonings, giant snakes, some quasi-mysticism, relics, crooked politicians, and desperados of all kinds. Possibly even including our heroes. Also there was an edge of seat conclusion and maybe a bit of a cliff hanger. Even a mention of Hannah Smith, whose series I would like to see continued.
Narration by George Guidall was fabulous as always. He is an all time favorite.
Thanks to NetGalley

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC.

Randy Wayne White’s Tomlinson’s Wake is a turbulent, myth-soaked thriller that pushes Doc Ford and his eccentric companion into one of their most perilous journeys yet.

🌊 The novel begins with Tomlinson’s bizarre claim that he died when his sailboat struck a reef off Honduras’s Mosquito Coast. His improbable survival—thanks to a runaway orphan who may be descended from Mayan royalty—sets the stage for a narrative where natural disasters, political corruption, and spiritual visions collide. White uses the Central American setting to full effect: hurricanes, earthquakes, and jungle landscapes create a sense of constant instability, mirroring the precarious human conflicts at the heart of the story.

🧩 Doc Ford remains the pragmatic anchor, a marine biologist with covert intelligence ties who approaches danger with rational precision.

- Tomlinson, ever the mystic, is both comic relief and philosophical foil. His insistence on spiritual explanations forces Ford to confront the tension between science and belief.

- Aleto, the orphaned boy, embodies both vulnerability and power. His lineage makes him a target, but also a symbol of resilience.

- Dr. Fidelia Brava, an archaeologist entangled in politics, adds intrigue and temptation, complicating Ford’s mission with personal stakes.

The interplay between Ford and Tomlinson is the novel’s emotional core. Their friendship—tested by Tomlinson’s erratic behavior—underscores themes of loyalty and the limits of patience when chaos becomes a way of life.

⚡White explores corruption, indigenous heritage, and the collision of myth with modern politics. Tomlinson’s “death” and resurrection serve as a metaphor for rebirth, both personal and cultural. The novel critiques how power structures exploit vulnerable populations while also asking whether belief in destiny can be a form of resistance.

Natural disasters symbolize the uncontrollable forces that destabilize human ambition. The story suggests that survival depends not only on skill but on humility before forces larger than ourselves.

📚 White’s prose is brisk, cinematic, and layered with philosophical undertones. Action sequences are relentless, yet moments of humor and mysticism punctuate the danger, keeping the narrative unpredictable. The blend of thriller mechanics with mythic resonance makes Tomlinson’s Wake both entertaining and thought-provoking.

For longtime fans, this installment deepens the Doc Ford–Tomlinson dynamic, showing how their contrasting worldviews can clash and complement. For newcomers, it offers a standalone adventure that captures the essence of White’s storytelling: suspense rooted in place, character, and moral complexity.

Tomlinson’s Wake is a gripping fusion of adventure, myth, and political intrigue. Randy Wayne White delivers a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is pulse-pounding, reminding us that friendship and loyalty can be the most dangerous—and most rewarding—journeys of all.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Tomlinson's Wake is the 28th Doc Ford adventure thriller by Randy Wayne White. Released 26th Aug 2025 by Harlequin on their Hanover Square Press imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are currently not available on KU, though they are available in ebook format.

This is a very very well written thriller with an impressively palpable sense of dread throughout which the author ratchets up to a white-knuckle crescendo. Doc is again trying to protect his (admittedly odd) friends including a drugged out hippie seeking higher consciousness and a ragtag bunch of indigenous children led by a charismatic boy who might be the last heir of the vanished Mayan empire.

Apart from saving his corner of the world from thugs and assassins, he's got loads of personal troubles in his personal life trying to reconcile his dichotomous careers as a fixer / spy and also a mild-mannered ecology minded professor of biology.

It's very well researched and the author does a fantastic job of scenery and settings, with hair-raising descriptions of the jungle wilderness and explosive violence of humans. There are distinct scenes of graphic violence and rough language. The way they explode on the page reminds me a lot of Lansdale's Hap & Leonard books (with less glib humor and more cerebral intelligence and ecology/biology content).

Four and a half stars. This would be a good choice for fans of mystery thrillers, for public library acquisition, or for a binge/buddy read. Very high quality fiction.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Cynde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doc Ford's friend, Tomlinson, was lost at sea in the hurricane that wiped Dinkin's Bay, their home away. His sailboat is found grounded on a shore in Honduras so Doc goes to search for him there. He finds him living in a treehouse Robinson Crusoe style bombed out of his head with a severe concussion high on weed and beer with a strange story to tell. He tells Doc about a guru, a one-armed boy, a crazy neurologist and the nyphomanic wife of the governor of the state and then he disappears again before Doc can convince him to go with him to a hospital. Thus begins a nonstop adventure with a gang of human traffickers, a band of orphaned children, a drug lord's army and being drugged with a zombie drug.
The book is a nail-biting adventure it will be hard to put down.
Having read most of the author's previous books, I found this book to be raw and more intense. The author has businesses on the islands of southwest Florida that were damaged in last year's hurricanes . I think this gives the book anger/rage more authenticity. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Know up front that I've been a fan of this long running series. That said, this latest (which I think would be a bit of a struggle without the context of having read a few of the earlier ones) is so chaotic and raucous that it lost the charm of the characters. And a plot. Doc Ford armed with a diplomatic passport provided by the British government due to his earlier exploits has landed on the Mosquito Coast in search of his pal Tomlinson after a hurricane destroyed their home marina in Florida. What he finds is an injured man who is spouting a tale about a one armed boy (which is true), a guru, bad guys (lots of bad guys) and an actual doctor. Doc finds himself chasing then protecting the boy and his band of kids who escaped slave labor at resorts and on. Then there's the hallucinogenics. And the Iron Pig. About half way through I realized I only cared that Doc and Tomlinson would escape all of this and go home. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. This is all over the place and fans of the propulsive action thriller might enjoy it.

[Alejandra Martin ~ Lexi Likes to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomlinson’s Wake is an adventurous, fast-paced read that feels tailor-made for fans of Indiana Jones or stories that pit clever heroes against dangerous crime lords. While there aren’t any actual military operations in this book, it still gives off that tactical, strategic energy—full of planning, plotting, and facing down the kind of “big bad” villains that make an adventure story truly satisfying. The action sequences are sharp, the pacing keeps you on your toes, and the sense of danger mixed with discovery makes for an addictive combination.

It’s not the first book in the series, and I’ll admit there were a few moments early on where I felt like I was missing some background from previous installments. That feeling faded quickly, though, once the story found its rhythm. By the second half, I was fully invested in the mission, the characters, and the pulse-pounding pace of it all. If you’re looking for a high-energy read packed with excitement, scheming, and a touch of danger, Tomlinson’s Wake is absolutely worth picking up.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twisting, thrilling and wild addition to the adventures of Doc Ford and Tomlinson! Dinkins Marina is in shambles after a devastating hurricane, and Tomlinson has disappeared. When his sailboat is found off the coast of Honduras, Doc Ford travels to the Mosquito Coast of Honduras to discover what has become of his friend. He finds Tomlinson living in a treehouse, claiming to have died and been brought back to life by a street orphan. Randy Wayne White brilliantly weaves the mystical stories of ancient tribes, human trafficking, corrupt officials, foreign thugs, hallucinatory drugs, and a shaman who hope to profit from it all. It is a page turning tale of survival against assaults of every kind on Ford, Tomlinson and the one-armed street urchin, Aleto, who is at the center of it all. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a Doc Ford fan who reads this series because of the Sanibel Island setting, you will be disappointed in this. The whole novel takes place in Honduras and the Dinkin's Bay regulars are barely a part of the story.

I liked the writing style and the characters, but the plot is a hot mess. It is less a cohesive novel and more of a series of vignettes whereby Doc Ford and Tomlinson alternate getting into precarious situations involving human trafficking, drug trafficking, stolen relics, stolen exotic birds, corrupt politicians, gang bangers and the Russian mafia. Lots of military weapons jargon and encounters with dangerous reptiles. There is an underlying story about a one-armed boy and his gang of urchins, but it gets lost in the chaos. Unfortunately it all ends with a cliffhanger so I fear the next book will be a continuation of this mess. 2.5

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a twisting story. Dinkin's Bay has been devastated by the hurricane, and Tomlinson is missing, but his boat has been found off the coast of Honduras. Doc travels to find him, and finds Tomlinson in a treehouse, in danger. He is in the process of trying to save a group of orphans who are being pursued for the purpose of human trafficking. Tomlinson claims the leader of the orphans. Aleto, saved his life. This sends both Tomlinson, Doc and Aleto on a wild, mystical journey through the Honduras fighting corruption, foreign criminals, drugs and a shaman determined to profit from it all. It was a fast-paced book as they fight to survive, but was sometimes a bit hard to follow, with an ending that was not really a conclusion. I am a longtime fan of the series, and this was good, but not a favorite. The opinions of this review are my own.

[Viccy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marion Ford travels to Honduras to find his dear friend, Tomlinson. In the wake of a killer hurricane, that destroyed Dinkin's Bay, Tomlinson took his boat out to sea and has shipwrecked. Doc wants to bring him back to the States for a doctor's care. But of course there are complications. Tomlinson swears he was brought back to life by a one-armed boy who is a direct descendant of the last king of the Mayans. This boy is fighting to protect many other children who have been trafficked. Tomlinson tells Doc he is going to go on a spirit quest with a local shaman, but when Doc begins to investigate this shaman, things turn dicey. Current politicians, including a former Miss Honduras, want the kid and Tomlinson out of the way. Doc has to use all of his (numerous) skills to rescue Tomlinson and the boy. Another thriller ride from Randy Wayne White.

[Bertha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doc Ford is off to Honduras - searching for Tomlinson. Or pursuing work in his clandestine agent role? He finds, loses, finds, loses, finds Tomlinson. At the same time his encounters include very savvy homeless kids, traffickers, politicians, murderers, archaeologists, at least one femme fatale, one very pricey artifact, and pals of the often MIA Tomlinson. The action keeps the pages turning to the last sentence (which leaves unresolved questions). There are several great characters introduced for the first time (hopefully, not for the last time!). Plot lines intertwine with intrigue. Additionally, White offers a bit of commentary on today’s politics in America. And the occasional philosophical observation. This series entry presents a different orientation from most of its predecessors. At the same time, the author gives readers a great read.

[Katherine Denise Bynum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually give this book 3 1/2 ⭐️’s. Very detailed and informative. Lots of danger, murder, trafficking orphan children, federal gangs, drugs, illegal bird captures. It’s all here. Another adventure for Doc in locating his friend Tomlinson who has a brain bleed and needs medical attention immediately. Somehow Tomlinson gets caught up with a guru that says he can help him. Tomlinson being drugged to give up all his banking information. Doc finds children staying in a hidden Mayan temple where it’s safe. They work together to not only help Tomlinson, Doc and the kids themselves. Murder and intrigue all in this one boom. Excellently written.

[Rebecca Becker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't really need to review since can simply say 'ditto' to others. But very confusing to have book suddenly end with at least two story lines left dangling Had to come back to chapter listings to be sure download hadn't dropped one or two. Im assuming it's a cliffhanger to entice us to read a follow up. Problem is, I don't care enough about any characters enough to want to read another book. And, very unlike Doc Ford, in the story he makes several strategic errors that get him into trouble that he never would have before, e.g., going back to the hotel room reserved inhis name, sticking his nose out an open door...

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story that picks up after One Deadly Eye! I love the Doc Ford series and have read every one. Randy Wayne White pulls us into his books with his descriptive writing and this one definitely doesn’t disappoint. Doc Ford is traveling to Honduras to find his friend. Tomlinson’s sailboat recked there after the hurricane. But trying to find him only gets Ford into issues with the political issues plaguing the area. Both sides are deadly. Can he find his friend, help others and still get out alive? Will it all work out? The ending also leaves you wondering what is going to happen after the final lines were read. Well done!

[Judith Trail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel confused me. The characters were almost caricatures, their behavior either inappropriately mature (for a 12 year old) or comically evil. The intricacies of local politics in Honduras seemed muddled and inexplicable, and what Doc was doing there seemed unnecessary. Tomlinson did not need rescuing, but what his purpose was also seemed confusing as he popped in and out of the narrative. In fact, there was just much ado about nothing, a story that floated on the top of the water without anything tethering it to the ocean bottom. My attention kept drifting as I waited to understand what the end game was, if there was one. I was disappointed.

[Frances Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another complex novel by Randy Wayne White. I never, ever read books of this nature by any author other than White. Under the violence and mystery, he always reveals a strong moral code that I find enormously appealing. This book was different from earlier works because of changing points of view. Looking inside the character's heads while they were under the influence of hallucinogens was fascinating. I only wish White wrote faster, so I can find out more about the aftermath of the hurricane on the Dinkins Bay community.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible Doc Ford story!

After a deadly hurricane destroys Dinkin’s Bay, Doc tracks down his friend Tomlinson to his sunken sailboat in the jungles of Honduras and becomes involved in a dangerous political and spiritual battle involving narcotics, unwanted children, and the Mayans.

Footnote: 1) I miss Doc’s fishhouse and the bay’s way of life. But hey, looks like we got double.

Fave scenes: the sign of the spiders, the night of the dinosaurs, Thomlison’s plan at the house, and the mud slide.

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat complicated storyline picking up after the hurricane from last episode. The interaction between characters is a bit hard to follow as they are being drugged and their thoughts are pretty convoluted when conversing and all over the place. The setting being away from Dunkin Bay takes a bit away from the book but the action and Tomlinson seeing the real Doc in action is somewhat interesting. The ending is a bit hanging and not understood. A fair read, but not Mr. White's best compared to previous books and I miss all the old characters.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some things have taken place since the last book causing the story to be completely in a different country. There was a terrible hurricane that hit Dinkins Bay, and we learned that the beloved marina owner has died. I miss the interaction with the other residents of the Bay and it makes me feel a little different about this book.

Story is still great, just different. Cannot wait till everyone returns.