Where Is Joe Merchant? A Novel Tale

by Jimmy Buffet

This #1 New York Times bestseller from singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett offers "enough hair-breadth escapes and miraculous rescues to fill two Robert Ludlam novels...and talking dolphins too"—Entertainment Weekly

Where is Joe Merchant? That's what his sister, Trevor Kane, the hemorrhoid-ointment heiress, wants to know. For Desdemona, Merchant is the missing link in her ongoing communications with space aliens. Tabloid journalist Rudy Breno only cares that Merchant gets bigger headlines than Elvis. And for renegade seaplane pilot Frank Bama, the mystery of the presumed-dead-but-often-sighted rock star is turning his life upside down.

In his debut novel, Jimmy Buffett cooks up an irresistible gumbo of dreamers, wackos, pirates, and sharks, as he leads Trevor and Frank on a wild chase through the Caribbean Islands to a place where anything can happen . . . and everything does.

Genres: Mystery

Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2022

Reviews

[Griffin Honeycutt]

Rest in paradise, Jimmy. This is a bizarre tale filled with wild characters and overly detailed descriptions of sea plane landings, and it couldn’t have been written by anyone else. Above all else it is fun, and that’s all it’s really trying to be.

[Phil Wujek]

Besides being a good story, this is a "must read" for Jimmy Buffett fans. There are many "cookies" in the text that will be familiar to fans as nods to lyrics in his songs. Where is Joe Merchant? Quite the story. Not going to let any spoilers happen, but if you like a rollicking tale, this is right up your alley.

[Christine Ervin]

While I have been to a few Buffet concerts and love his music, yes I am considered a Parrot Head, I have never read his books. This was a quirky tale with many interesting characters. It was not a compelling read, but a fun book with a little bloodshed. It made me humming a Buffet song while i was reading it. Now onto the next one!

[Paul McCarty]

33 years ago I read Where is Joe Merchant. Being a JB fan, I had fond memories of reading it, but no recollection of the details. A fresh reread has brought many smiles. It is filled with eccentric characters and adventure. Most noted, not remembered from three decades ago, is the weaving of JB's lines and lyrics throughout the fabric of the tale. It was a great revisit!

[Wanda B.]

I absolutely loved this book! Jimmy writing about what he knows best. If you want an adventure then read this book, but all the while remembering who wrote it. Jimmy is a fantastic storyteller and he does not disappoint with this story. See you on the other side Jimmy and sail on sailor.

[T.A. Par]

I read this when it was first released, and have read it about 3 or 4 other times. I just re-read it after Bubba passed. I really like Frank Bama he is one of my favorites literally characters of all time. Just a wild ride from start to finish, I wanted to see it on the big screen one day.

[Deborah Kerns]

Enjoyed this book by Jimmy Buffett. The characters were entertaining and loved the ending.

[Brandy]

A nice trip to the Keys--without leaving my house.

[Nika Legatova]

Great summer/tropical read with unpredictable twists and turns!

[Kathleensakal]

Just not my kind of book. Too many kooky characters with ridiculous adventures.

[Hershel Kiss]

Stick to songs Jimmy

[Ray Brown]

Jimmy’s writing style is a bit awkward at times, but the book completely immersed me in the Caribbean world. An enjoyable story, fun characters, and I felt like I was with right there him all the way through the book.