Shark River

Doc Ford #8

by Randy Wayne White

The past comes disconcertingly alive for Doc Ford, in a series that continues to grow in popularity and acclaim.
Randy Wayne White's Ten Thousand Islands was "one of the most satisfying thrillers in recent memory" wrote the Chicago Tribune, and the starred review in Publishers Weekly said, "Of all the writers [in] the Florida mayhem boom, only White can claim to have created a series hero to match Hemingway's memorable outdoorsmen and John D. MacDonald's much-missed Travis McGee." And now White has created his most electrifying novel yet.

On a working vacation to Guava Key, marine biologist Doc Ford notices two female joggers who follow the same route at the same time every day. He can't help thinking how easy it would be for a predator to become aware of them, too. As it turns out, he isn't the only one. There seem to be more and more predators these days.

Forced to step in, Ford finds himself involved in a story of intrigue and revenge that becomes more dangerous with every turn-and some of them hit pretty close to home. Add to that a Bahamian relative he never knew he had, a letter leading to a treasure that may or may not exist, and some past history that becomes very alarmingly present, and his life has suddenly become very complicated. Not to mention the prospect of his death. . . .

Filled with crackling power and atmosphere, and some of the best suspense characters in fiction, Shark River is a triumph of storytelling.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Adventure

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

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

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

White’s suspenseful stories set in Florida are a perfect beach read. I enjoy his descriptions of the unusual marine wildlife and the natural history of the Florida peninsula and its islands. Indeed, Doc Ford’s business at the Sanibel Biological Supply is a perfect means to educate White’s readers.
This eighth offering in the Doc Ford series starts out strong—Doc disrupts the kidnapping of the daughter of a high placed government official with savvy thinking and an awesome boat chase scene. Then White turns to narration to explain Doc Ford’s past secretive government work. And there is the narration regarding the appearance of a cousin. And then there is the narration regarding Tomlinson’s background. It is almost as if White is using this book to provide character backgrounds for future offerings in the series. But, finally, White returns to provide the reader with a surprise action-packed ending. About time!

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this entry in the Doc ford series, Doc and Tomlinson are hanging out on the exclusive Guava Island, when thugs try to kidnap a young woman. He stops the abduction, but the woman is daughter to a powerful man who knows about Ford's secret life, and the thugs work for a powerful Colombian drug lord.

Meanwhile, Ford meets his Bahamian cousin, and the two go on a treasure hunt for their inheritance from Tucker Gatrell.

All the storylines converge in a thrilling climax with a twist we don't really see coming.

Quite good.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another older Doc Ford series, as I continue to catch up on ones I missed along the way. Doc meets his "sister" in this one, and Tomlinson also meets her.

[Jrobertus · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this thriller, Doc Ford is a marine biologist with a black past. He was an off the books, outside the law, super duper trained government killer charged with keeping America safe by any means necessary. Get it pilgrim? The writing is good, and the characters pretty well developed,especially his Bahamian half cousine Ransome, and his pal Thomlinson. However, the pace of the book is too slow with way too much internal narrative, too much psychology, and too much description of his temporary girl friends private parts. Like a lot of these tough guy books, this is really a kind of romance novel for men who may want to identify with a super tough super stud.

[Nancy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the Randy Wayne White Doc Ford series. I admire the main character and his ability to deal with what life brings, even as he tries to maintain a peaceful life doing what he loves. In this story, he has to deal with several bad guys, a set who attempt to kidnap someone and a set that is trying to kill him. In every story about him, more is revealed about his personality, his past, and his character, as well as more about his sidekick Tomlinson, who is an interesting character in his own right. This series is definitely a good read!

[Edwin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up in a book swap at Edinburgh airport and never expected to give it more than one star. It’s a Floridian Steven Seagal type Marine Biologist who gets into all sorts of scrapes and pretends he’s James Bond at every waking moment. It was so fun though.
Also, the author is genuinely a good writer, and threw a bit of everything in there. I’m happy that he taught me how to cook proper shrimp. I also liked his descriptions of the fish business and the Florida landscape. A good time!

[Blain Dillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

The climax of this book happened at about the 96% mark. Seems like the ending was rushed. Has some good characters.

[Robert Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this series in order (though one doesn't necessarily have to), I'm impressed with how the author has thus far been able to keep the stories fresh. He brings in new characters, disposes of others, keeps the series alive and moving. This was one of his better books thus far. Looking forward to the next one!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while, but I'm really enjoying the series now. Love the evocative description of life and nature on the Florida coast. I've seen people complain about the pace of these books, but I enjoy the character development and botany/biology/Florida history lessons as much as the plot and action. In my book, Ford could stay in and around Dinkins Bay and not get shot and and I'd still find it a great read.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good Doc Ford novel-fast paced, with a lot of suspense. I enjoyed the further character development and background story for both Ford and Tomlinson, as well as the addition of Ransom, Ford's cousin. The descriptions of Sanibel and its nearby areas are wonderful, as always. Randy Wayne White novels are much more than just mystery novels-each one makes you want to read another to find out what Doc Ford and Tomlinson will encounter next.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series. I'm sorry I haven't read a Doc Ford novel in quite a while. The books are fast-paced, with some terrific characters. In this story, an interesting bit of Doc's background is revealed. I always enjoy the Florida island atmosphere of these books. Now I must find me some more in the series that I have not yet read.

[Phair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doc Ford continues to be one of my favorite characters. Particularly like stories that bring in his covert past and that explore Doc's internal conflicts. Tomlinson is a delight as always. Please keep writing Randy!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read...and well worth spending the time with it. Doc and Tomlinson while deeply involved with the present time and events, delve into their past histories. It is complex and fascinating coupled with some great action scenes.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shark River (Doc Ford #8) by Randy Wayne White (G.P.Putnam's Sons 2001) (Fiction - Mystery) is another one of the good Doc Ford mysteries. In this one, Doc meets a Bahamian relative that he never knew he had. My rating: 6/10, finished 8/10/12.

[JoAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Island adventures of black ops specialist turned marine biologist. Doc Ford notices two women joggers who are about to be attacked so of course he's forced to step in. Ford finds himself involved… again.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this 8th mystery novel about marine biologist Doc Ford and his hippie sidekick Tomlinson, Randy Wayne White returns us to the Southwest Florida coast, to the low-lying land and the neighboring sea, the ecology that White obviously loves, and from which Doc Ford now makes his living. In the past 7 books there have been hints about the secretive hero’s background (of possible covert government service) and of his original meeting with his spaced-out buddy Tomlinson. In “Shark River”, much of this background is effortlessly and convincingly revealed. Tomlinson and Ford are on Guava Key, a members-only island off Florida’s Gulf Coast, where Ford is conducting a marine life survey and Tomlinson, an ordained Rinzai Zen master, is teaching meditation. A jogger, Ford notices two young women joggers, who always run at the same time. As Ford muses on the desirability of varying routines, a kidnap attempt occurs, which Ford foils, breaking one kidnapper’s back in the process. It develops that one of the rescuees, Lindsey Harrington, is the daughter of a US diplomat targeted by a Columbian drug lord, and the back Ford broke belongs to the drug lord’s eldest son. After a grateful Lindsey and Ford spend the night together, her father tries to blackmail Ford (by threatening to expose his covert background) into serving as a decoy to flush out the drug lord, so Lindsey will no longer be in danger. In the meantime, a West Indian woman has surfaced, claiming to be Ford’s half-sister, and asking his help in retrieving a hidden treasure. She is pursued by 2 Rastafarians, whom Ford throws into his shark tank. Then Tomlinson hooks up with Ransom (the West Indian woman), who turns out to be Ford’s first cousin. As Ford contends with murderous Columbians, angry Rastafarians, the blackmailing diplomat, and the nagging duo of Tomlinson and Ransom, both he and the reader discover things previously unknown about him. White has written his usual fast-paced thriller with vivid Florida and Bahamanian backgrounds. If Ford is more introspective than usual, it merely adds to his appeal. Fans of action-adventure and atmospheric hard-boiled mysteries should enjoy “Shark River” thoroughly.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Shark River” is the 8th in Randy Wayne White's popular Doc Ford mystery series. White is a gifted storyteller and a clever wordsmith who has created likable and offbeat characters who live a bit wacky, lay back lifestyle. Our beloved protagonist is Doc Ford, a former government NSA agent and now a marine biologist, who lives in a house on stilts on Sanibel Island. Many of his other characters are just that ~ characters who are literally "characters." This is a delightful action/mystery series.

There are many strings in this well-crafted plot. Doc Ford and Tomlinson are enjoying a working vacation on the exclusive Guava Island, when thugs try to kidnap a rich young woman. Doc stops the abduction, and these thugs work for a powerful Colombian drug lord. As an unusual twist, the woman he saves is the daughter to a powerful man who discovers Ford's secret life. Meanwhile, Ford’s Bahamian “sister” arrives – surprise! After this shock, the two go on a treasure hunt for their inheritance from good old Uncle Tucker Gatrell. All the various plot strings converge in an interesting climax.

In “Shark River,” we are privy to learn about Doc's "dark side", that is those former covert activities which kept him busy prior to his "retirement." I especially enjoyed the further character development and background story for Tomlinson as well, and the addition of Ransom, Ford's sister/ cousin. Always enjoyable are the botany/biology/Florida history lessons that Doc Ford gives us. If you enjoy a well-crafted mystery with quirky characters, then the Doc Ford series could be for you! Give it a try ~ you’ll go back!

[Rick Dunlop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid Doc Ford and I would put it on my short list of favorites with Black Widow, Hunter's Moon, and Twelve Mile Limit.

This one starts with some solid adventure around Doc Ford saving a government bureaucrat's daughter and her bodyguard. The segments is intense and reads quickly. Lindsay Harrington is a party girl and Dad has her on a short leash. Call it what you want, Doc slept with her and Hal Harrington found out because she's always bugged.

The middle of the story drifts a little with some depth around Marion's cousin, Ransom. Now Ransom insists she is Doc's sister but it's clear the bloodline is through Tucker Gatrell, Doc's Uncle. Tucker is dead now and left his estate to Marion and Ransom. A background highlight [maybe lowlight] is we find out that Tucker is responsible for the death of Doc's parents. All the descriptions of Tucker Gatrell leave you with the image of Ricky Bobby's father, Reese. We also get insights to Thomlinson's radical past and a bombing he had secondary responsibility for. We're lead to believe Marion was sent to Dinkins Bay.

The book closes with high adventure where Hal Harrington comes through and takes down the Columbians who most certainly were going to take Doc, Thomlinson, and Ransom down. The final is a bit of a treasure hunt as Doc, Ransom, and Thomlinson follow a series of letters to find the inheritance Tucker left for them ...and it isn't to shabby.

The book closes

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook. I have read a few Doc Ford books and when I realized this was one of the earlier books I decided to read it. It does fill in some of Doc's past, but I down graded it from 3 to 2 stars because his newly discovered cousin Ransom is so annoying. So annoying. She is Bahamian and tells Doc she is his sister because her biological father was Doc's loathed uncle Tuck. Doc seems to be unable to explain to her that Tuck was his mother's sister, not his own father. The book also fills in some of Doc's hippy best friend Thomlinson's past and it's relationship to Doc. Doc is a marine biologist who used to be a black ops specialist in a secret government group that is like Mission Impossible - under all radar and committing crimes across the globe for the United States. He is on a private island conducting a fish survey when he intervenes with extreme prejudice when he witnesses two young women being attacked and possibly kidnapped. This puts him in the radar of a government official who figures out Doc's secret past and uses him to help find a murderous Colombian drug lord. Meanwhile the ever annoying Ransom wants Doc to help her find treasures his uncle has supposedly left for him and her. I just didn't enjoy this book as much as others I have read in this series.

[Doreen Fritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having spent a couple weeks recently in Matlacha, Florida, in the heart of the area that White writes about, it felt natural and familiar to dive into this Doc Ford book. Although my husband has read every one of the books in the series, I've been more hit-or-miss. In this installment, Doc is introduced to a supposed sister he never knew about (it turns out to be a cousin). His friend Tomlinson is going through an existential crisis of conscience about some activities with an activist group when he was young that resulted in three deaths -- and his reaction is loss of impotency. This loss is described in great detail, repeatedly, as well as his attempts to overcome it. There is enough sex to make this a titillating novel, and enough violence and suspense to keep it exciting. There are some references to Doc's past with the NSA, and it's not til the very end that we realize just how involved another character is with Doc's past.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shark River.  Randy Wayne White.  G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2001.  291 pages. Book 8 of 28 in the Doc Ford Series.


This eighth Doc Ford adventure opens with Doc enjoying a rare vacation at a luxury island resort.  But, of course, it's Doc, so the vacation is cut short when he thwarts the attempted kidnapping of another guest, resulting in his entanglement with a Colombian cartel, and he himself becomes the target of the cartel's ruthless head.  He also has to deal with a from-the-grave curveball thrown at him by his recently deceased estranged Uncle Tucker - a curveball that leads to yet another adventure for Doc and his buddy, Tomlinson.  It's another excellent Doc Ford action story, and the reader learns some major details about the secret past lives of Doc and Tomlinson - details that could affect their relationship.  White also takes the reader deeper into the lives and the relationships of the residents of Dinkins Bay Marina.  And a fun, new, and hopefully recurring character is introduced, with the foreshadowed possibilities of a couple of other new future characters.

[MisterLiberry Head · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of filler here, like chum tossed into SHARK RIVER. Randy Wayne White recycled plenty of Doc Ford’s biography, past events from earlier novels in the series, advice to the lovelorn, long ruminations on South Florida tourism versus marine ecology, even a thumbnail history of Rastafarianism. Doc’s scoundrel uncle, Tucker Gatrell – and his busy “tallywacker” – cause trouble from beyond the grave, while Doc’s past in an elite, off-the-books special ops team that was green-lit for “the use of any and all means the group’s members deem beneficial to the well-being of the nation” (loc.2001) resurfaces with threatening implications. Both plot threads converge neatly, but the core plot boils down to: a bad man very much wants to kill Doc Ford and Doc doesn’t want him to.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doc Ford is quite the character; a marine biologist with the skill set of a Navy SEAL. At times the book is a biology class on marine life. Ford lives by a code and he doesn’t put up with shit. It’s humorous at times much like Carl Hiaasen’s writing.

The plot revolves around an attempted kidnapping of a young woman on the wealthy enclave of a Florida island. Ford prevents it and in doing so injuring the son of the cartel boss who swears vengeance. At the same time he’s dealing with personal issues involving a ne’er-do-well uncle and a Bahamian woman claiming to be his sister. And the father of the rescued woman is a powerful guy in the federal government who seems to know all about Ford’s previous life.

Definitely going to start with book#1 next.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

“On a working vacation to Guava Key, marine biologist Doc Ford notices two female joggers who follow the same route at the same time every day. He can't help thinking how easy it would be for a predator to become aware of them, too. As it turns out, he isn't the only one. There seem to be more and more predators these days.

Forced to step in, Ford finds himself involved in a story of intrigue and revenge that becomes more dangerous with every turn-and some of them hit pretty close to home. Add to that a Bahamian relative he never knew he had, a letter leading to a treasure that may or may not exist, and some past history that becomes very alarmingly present, and his life has suddenly become very complicated. Not to mention the prospect of his death.”

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one came in at 4.5 stars but rounded down to 4. 5-star books are uncommon and so have to be exceptional. This was a good thriller, with plenty of bad guys to fear and a handful of cool folks. Doc Ford is definitely cool and my introduction to him here, early in the novel, was a fiction writer’s free-for-all as he rescued two women, avoided being shot, commandeered a hot-shit racing boat, manually injured a bad guy, and escaped, all with only a flesh wound.
Interjections of Caribbean culture elevate much of the tale, along with some comedy relief from Doc’s pal suffering from ED. (Garrison Keillor says that erectile disfunction is God telling us that old men shouldn’t raise babies.)
More Doc Ford novels out there, I see, so perhaps more will make it to this list.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

While staying at an exclusive resort with Tomlinson, Ford is visited by a woman claiming to be his long lost sister, but she’s Tucker’s daughter. Her arrival gets Ford involved in Cuban Rastafarism and Colombian drug lords.

Lots of amusing, strange situations in here. Ford’s patience must be wearing thin. But I love the in-depth details of his mysterious history. And the final surprise appearance is wonderful.

Footnote: 1) I remember the driftwood fire colors from when I lived near Portland Maine. Beautiful with the smell of the sea.

Fave scenes: Ford using the Scarab to attack, hauling in the nets, Ford’s conversation’s with Harrington and Romano’s note.

[Carol Hartmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once you start reading Randy Whites Doc Fords Books you won't be disappointed at the adventures. Doc Ford is an Indiana Jones kind of guy but he is a Marine Biologist on Sanibel Island. Im a Sanibel frequent so I love all the references. This book was fun, suspenseful, moved along quickly. Another adventure for Doc Ford. I loved the humor with Tomlinson in this one with his "problem " Give Doc Ford Books a try, there are many. I try to add one in my reading once in a while. I liked this book, it was fun.

[Keith Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This eighth novel in the Doc Ford series is more comfort food mystery from the gulf isles of South Florida. In this one, Doc goes out for a jog and stumbles across a kidnapping in progress, foiling the bad guys but putting himself and his merry band of friends at Dinkins Bay in danger from narco-terrorists. We learn more about Ford’s backstory in this, the non-governmental intelligence he used to be part of, as well as some surprising family history. More sultry, sexy shenanigans from the steamy seas.

Three-and-a-Half Stars

[Dwaine J. Peetz, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

I am impressed by the depth of his knowledge about various subjects.
I am currently re-reading the series with Doc Ford.(third time) have also read other series of his. Hannah Smith, Dusty Mc, Striker.
I always find another bit of information from his books even though I’ve read them before . Also had the opportunity to meet Mr White at book book signing on Marco Island .
We also have a home in Naples but are originally from Omaha Nebraska I offered Randy tickets to the college World Series he has yet not gotten back to me.

[Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some blasts from the past make this a very enjoyable addition to the Doc Ford series. More detail about Doc's earlier 'secret' adventures which are TOP SECRET... as well as a glimpse into Tomlinson's past as an ardent revolutionary... but those times are long gone for him now.
A lot of humor in this one and Doc finds out that he has a cousin that he never knew about. She thinks he is her brother... all courtesy of Tucker who is Doc's Uncle but recently deceased.