Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #460634 in Books
• Published on: 1997-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Synopsis
Former government agent-turned-marine biologist Doc Ford finds himself unable to maintain his neutrality when a battle between Florida's sport and commercial fishermen escalates into arson and murder.

Customer Reviews

Great escapist fiction - lots of cool scenery
Quirky characters - not unlike the ones in a Hiassen novel. Great settings - describes the scenery in the manner of great travel writers.

One blemish - descriptions of Indonesia are a little off the mark. Unexpectedly funny passages (from a factual standpoint) spice up the ending for anyone who knows the region. For instance, the novel notes in passing that

- The eating of dogs is common in Indonesia. Wrong. Indonesians would not touch, let alone eat, a dog; Islamic doctrine preaches that dogs are "haram" or unclean, due to their historical role as mobile garbage disposal units.

- Chinese characters appear on a disreputable-looking marine vessel. Wrong. The Chinese language is banned in Indonesia - recent riots in Indonesia indicate this ban may soon extend to the Chinese race.

- The death penalty in Indonesia is carried out by firing squad. Wrong. Except for politically-motivated death squad killings of local opposition figures, executions are carried out by hanging. Hence the "Gantung (Hang) Suharto" chants in recent demonstrations.

- Foreigners are routinely detained and killed by local law enforcement officials. Wrong. The last time foreigners were killed by local powers-that-be was during Indonesia's invasion of East Timor in 1975. In the official version of events, several Australian and British journalists were "caught in a cross-fire". This was, however, in the middle of a war zone. The officials in charge were demoted. There have been no recurrences.

- Child prostitution of both sexes (!) is common in Indonesia. Wrong. The author is probably generalizing from Thailand's reputation, where this is, in fact, common. Indonesians, being Muslims, are extremely intolerant of practices like gambling and prostitution. Recent riots in Indonesia started because of resentment about the existence of brothels staffed by (legal age) prostitutes.

- Islamic law prevails in Indonesia - i.e. a convicted burglar would have his hand amputated. Wrong. Although majority Muslim, Indonesia is a secular state, and a legal system based in large part on Dutch law is enforced. Convicted burglars do not become amputees; they cool off their heels in prison like people in other countries.

Excelent writing,great plot,"Doc" Ford is a real hero.
This is the best from Randy Wayne White yet,he has brought Doc-Ford to life in this fast reading adventure,I really couldn't put it down. His first books cover stated that he was the heir to John D Mcdonalds,which is hard to beleive but I've read all of his works and after this one I'm a believer.