Each of Randy Wayne White?s novels about Marion ?Doc? Ford contains a science lesson that becomes an integral part of these action-packed tales. These tutorials reinforce Ford?s background as a marine biologist and committed ecologist and counterbalance his secret life as a government agent. But they never slow the pace.
In the 19th novel in the series set in Sanibel Island, the ecology lesson is about sturgeons who are overfished for the caviar they supply to connoisseurs. White?s vivid descriptions about how the sturgeons are fished and their eggs harvested, as well as the dealings on the black market, are enough to make anyone want to avoid caviar ? if you can afford it in the first place. But Chasing Midnight isn?t a textbook; it?s a gripping thriller with lots of gadgets, international intrigue and secret spy stuff, all of which White fans have come to expect.
Ford and his hippie best friend Tomlinson wrangle an invitation to a Russian entrepreneur?s exclusive party on his yacht docked near a private island. Ford knows the Russian is heavily involved in black market caviar. The party guests also include a group of vocal ?eco-activists? and the Russian?s three most powerful and wealthy rivals who have traveled from Iran, Turkey and China. His brag that a sturgeon is caged beneath the yacht piques Ford?s interest.
Suspecting there may be even more illegal activities underwater, Ford dives under for a close-up look. He surfaces to find the island?s power out, the island?s communications jammed and a man with a gun looking for him. Did the rivalry between the three men erupt? Or have the unfriendly activists turned terrorist ? and if they did, was Tomlinson involved? Ford also wonders if he is the target because of his ?shadow life? as a NSA associate.
White keeps the action taut, even when Ford is forced to spend a long time water bound. Wherever he is, Ford goes into survivor mode, becoming an island MacGyver, cobbling together tools that will help him until he can contact the outside world. If he can.
The heart of the series continues to be the Odd Couple friendship between straight-laced Ford and Tomlinson, ?an unrepentant hipster who reeked of patchouli oil and enlightenment.? Next to these bold, well-defined characters, the supporting cast gets a little lost. Just about everyone else is shown in shades of black and white with few nuances. Still, it?s fun, and Chasing Midnight delivers a solid primer on Florida?s beauty, history and natural resources.
Oline H. Cogdill reviewed this book for the Sun Sentinel.
Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/11/2684547/doc-ford-dives-into-a-caviar-conspiracy.html
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