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Chasing Midnight (Doc Ford Mystery #19)
It began peacefully enough, on one of Florida's private islands.
At a reception hosted by a notorious Russian black marketeer, Doc Ford uses darkness, and his friend Tomlinson, as cover to get an underwater look at the billionaire's yacht. By the time Ford surfaces, everything has changed.
Environmental extremists have taken control of the island. Or are they thugs hired by...more
At a reception hosted by a notorious Russian black marketeer, Doc Ford uses darkness, and his friend Tomlinson, as cover to get an underwater look at the billionaire's yacht. By the time Ford surfaces, everything has changed.
Environmental extremists have taken control of the island. Or are they thugs hired by...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
March 6th 2012
by Putnam Adult
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White has slipped a bit with this latest installment in the Doc Ford series. As a devoted fan of the series I hoped for the usual humorous and amusingly intelligent adventure with Ford and his pal Tomlinson. Instead I found a cacophony of confusing action scenes, half-baked characters, and a plot that was hard to follow. It was a mess unless you are really into night vision technology.
This seemed to me like a rough draft that was not beyond repair but in need of some skilled editing and a lot o...more
This seemed to me like a rough draft that was not beyond repair but in need of some skilled editing and a lot o...more
The action is less frantic in this novel and takes place in a matter of hours on a private island off the coast of Florida. Marion "Doc" Ford and his hippie pal Tomlinson have garnered invitations to a private party given by a black marketeer, Kazlov, who claims to have been able to genetically alter sturgeon in order to corner the world's caviar market. However, a short time after the reception, terrorists take over the island.
Ford's prowess as a government operative is on full display here, wh...more
Ford's prowess as a government operative is on full display here, wh...more
This is my second thrill-ride with Randy Wayne White. The first one I read and reviewed took place in and near a Florida lake and I was holding my breath half the time while I was reading it. This one is set on a private island just south of Sanibel Island, Florida. Doc Ford is White's hero, a marine biologist who manages to get into all kinds of scrapes.
This time he has wangled an invitation to a big party on Vanderbilt Island. A Russian billionaire has invited his peers from around the world t...more
This time he has wangled an invitation to a big party on Vanderbilt Island. A Russian billionaire has invited his peers from around the world t...more
White releases a new Doc Ford book every March, and I've been looking forward to them for years.
This one, however, disappointed me. It starts with narrative, and that's all you get for a long time. There's very little action, very little dialogue. It's not until the last fourth of the novel that things finally take off, and some readers wouldn't wait that long to get involved in the story.
I discovered White when I lived in Florida. Since then, I've read every book he's written, and there has bee...more
This one, however, disappointed me. It starts with narrative, and that's all you get for a long time. There's very little action, very little dialogue. It's not until the last fourth of the novel that things finally take off, and some readers wouldn't wait that long to get involved in the story.
I discovered White when I lived in Florida. Since then, I've read every book he's written, and there has bee...more
“Chasing Midnight” by Randy Wayne White, published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
Category – Mystery/Thriller
Randy Wayne White writes about what he knows. He lives on Sanibel Island in Florida and his books all take place in Florida.
Doc Ford a marine biologist, secret agent of the United States Government, and so-so ecologist finds a way to get himself and his friend Tomlinson invited to a very exclusive meeting on Vanderbilt Island. The meeting is so exclusive that the entire island has been rented for...more
Category – Mystery/Thriller
Randy Wayne White writes about what he knows. He lives on Sanibel Island in Florida and his books all take place in Florida.
Doc Ford a marine biologist, secret agent of the United States Government, and so-so ecologist finds a way to get himself and his friend Tomlinson invited to a very exclusive meeting on Vanderbilt Island. The meeting is so exclusive that the entire island has been rented for...more
I know, I know, I read this out of order (the newest - #19 -of White's Doc Ford series of mysteries set around Sanibel Island, Florida). But I was here, this book was here, and nothing else was, so . . .
At first the jumping-around-time technique was bothersome, but I was soon snagged by the story, the science, and the characters. The "bad guys" were revealed sooner than I had expected, but then it was a wild romp to try to stop them from accomplishing their evil intentions.
And I don't think it...more
At first the jumping-around-time technique was bothersome, but I was soon snagged by the story, the science, and the characters. The "bad guys" were revealed sooner than I had expected, but then it was a wild romp to try to stop them from accomplishing their evil intentions.
And I don't think it...more
I apologize to Randy Wayne White, but I had to put this book down. I could not get into it. After reading the cover blurbs, I was expecting something like Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp or Kill Zone by Loren D. Estleman, but after 127 pages nothing much had happened (the power went out on the island, a few shots were heard in the distance, and Ford has a strange encounter with a Russian bodyguard). On page 128 Doc Ford checks his watch and it's 11:15 p.m. On page 131 he checks his watc...more
This review is based on an Uncorrected Proof Version of the book which I received free from the publisher through the Goodreads First Reads program.
Doctor Ford is a marine Biologist plus something else. In this book we find him on an island with some high powered men who substantially control the world caviar market. They have been invited called to a joint meeting by Viktor Kazlov, a Russian black market millionaire, who also was into the caviar market.
While out diving, Dr Ford is surprised wh...more
Doctor Ford is a marine Biologist plus something else. In this book we find him on an island with some high powered men who substantially control the world caviar market. They have been invited called to a joint meeting by Viktor Kazlov, a Russian black market millionaire, who also was into the caviar market.
While out diving, Dr Ford is surprised wh...more
I am never going to NOT like a Randy Wayne White book. That being said, this seemed to me to be a writing exercise for Mr. White; not one of his better efforts. All of the action takes place within a six-hour time period and if I were Doc Ford, I would be completely exhausted by the end of hour one. Doc has wrangled an invitation to a gathering of cavier moguls on Vanderbilt Island. A Russian black marketeer claims to have created a hybrid sturgeon that will revolutionize cavier production. This...more
I won this book as a FirstRead from GoodReads.
This book was VERY well written. You can definitely tell this author has either extensive writing experience or a very great natural talent.
That being said, I loved the premise of this book- and that is what attracted me to the book in the beginning. However, the subject matter was a different story- dare I say that I felt this was more of a "man's" book? I am sure many women would enjoy the subject matter, if not also the action sequences. For my t...more
This book was VERY well written. You can definitely tell this author has either extensive writing experience or a very great natural talent.
That being said, I loved the premise of this book- and that is what attracted me to the book in the beginning. However, the subject matter was a different story- dare I say that I felt this was more of a "man's" book? I am sure many women would enjoy the subject matter, if not also the action sequences. For my t...more
I tried, I really, really tried but could not get through this lackluster of a book. And it was hard for me to put down because I have been such a hard core follower of RWW. Put down and picked back up three times and nothing changed. It was just a lousey reading book, everything about it.
There is definately something lacking in the writing of this, and the last three or four books.
Such a disappointment, to me personally, to conclude the writing was just kind of silly. Seemed amateurist and ce...more
There is definately something lacking in the writing of this, and the last three or four books.
Such a disappointment, to me personally, to conclude the writing was just kind of silly. Seemed amateurist and ce...more
5 likes
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I like this series. Randy Wade White's editor needs to work with him to trim down the narrative. Doc Ford is a good character. The Florida setting is wonderful and the combination of ocean biology, boating and intrigue works well when White's on his game. In this case there was too much explaining - there were 3 pages where 3 well written paragraphs would be better.
I think Doc Ford is Travis McGee brought into the 21st century with a PHD, a bit of McGyver, and often a better attitude towards wom...more
I think Doc Ford is Travis McGee brought into the 21st century with a PHD, a bit of McGyver, and often a better attitude towards wom...more
This is another intriguing Doc Ford story by Randy Wayne White. This time around Doc is invited to a party at a resort on Vanderbilt Island. This invitation only event is hosted by Viktor Kaslov, a Russian black marketer and caviar dealer. While diving and checking out Kaslov’s yacht, he feels an explosion. Thinking it is a lightning storm, but is surprised that it is a terrorist attack.
I enjoy the Doc Ford stories and having visited the area that White writes about last year, I thought it would...more
I enjoy the Doc Ford stories and having visited the area that White writes about last year, I thought it would...more
Love Doc Ford books. I'm seriously ticked about a flaw in this book. Two characters, Chinese women, are named Umeko and Sayuri. It is stated that these are the Chinese names Plum Blossom and Lily. These are in fact Japanese. I find it really annoying that nobody among assorted editors for a major author like White should catch such a glaring error. I get really rankled about inaccuracies about Asian cultures; it feels disrespectful. Also, I noted several editing errors, such as the word "identif...more
I like Randy Wayne White as a writer and as a Sanibel legend. Every time I hear about a “Doc Ford” citing, the more I admire White. Plus, for my family with its ties to the South Sea Plantation on Captiva Island, the epilogue to “Chasing Midnight” is worth the price of admission.
Having said all of that … I must admit that “Chasing Midnight” is a subpar entry in the Doc Ford series. But never fear, any writer who can come up with the following description can be forgiven a slight misstep:
“Despite...more
Having said all of that … I must admit that “Chasing Midnight” is a subpar entry in the Doc Ford series. But never fear, any writer who can come up with the following description can be forgiven a slight misstep:
“Despite...more
Has the series about Doc Ford, Florida marine biologist, finally jumped the shark? Seems like it. The Florida stuff is still well done. The marine biology stuff is still interesting and the whole business about Mote Marine Aquarium and sturgeon and caviar was fascinating. I had no idea.
What was not well done was the plot - eco terrorists attacking international caviar exploiters - and the characters - the eco-bitch, the video nerds and the psychopathic bible quoting twins. Doc is a cardboard cut...more
What was not well done was the plot - eco terrorists attacking international caviar exploiters - and the characters - the eco-bitch, the video nerds and the psychopathic bible quoting twins. Doc is a cardboard cut...more
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#19 of the Doc Ford series is a sub-par entry. Rescue the hostages as a theme utilizes less of Ford's craft and fewer of his skills than the better entries.
Doc Ford uses darkness, and his friend Tomlinson, as cover to get an underwater look at a notorious Russian black marketeer's yacht. By the time Ford surfaces, everything has changed. Environmental extremists have taken control of the island. Or are they thugs hired by the Russian's competitors? They have herded everyone together and threaten...more
Doc Ford uses darkness, and his friend Tomlinson, as cover to get an underwater look at a notorious Russian black marketeer's yacht. By the time Ford surfaces, everything has changed. Environmental extremists have taken control of the island. Or are they thugs hired by the Russian's competitors? They have herded everyone together and threaten...more
This gets my "worst book of all time" award. Poorly written entirely in first person mode, it plods along slower than a sea urchin creeping across a continental shelf.
Honestly, I question the intelligence of anyone who continued past the third chapter. This is the first book in well over ten years that I slammed shut and refused to push further. I read three to five fiction books per year, and run across plenty off clunkers. But truly, this one appears to be a practical joke played upon a segmen...more
Honestly, I question the intelligence of anyone who continued past the third chapter. This is the first book in well over ten years that I slammed shut and refused to push further. I read three to five fiction books per year, and run across plenty off clunkers. But truly, this one appears to be a practical joke played upon a segmen...more
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Randy Wayne White is back in great form. After a couple of lackluster performances, he has stormed back with an exciting and gripping tale with Doc Ford and Tomlinson. The action sets up in the first chapter and doesn't stop until the end.
Randy Wayne White once said about writing, "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Just get to Friday and don't worry about the rest." He certainly follows his own theory in this suspenseful story that takes place in all of twenty four hours. Expert...more
Randy Wayne White once said about writing, "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Just get to Friday and don't worry about the rest." He certainly follows his own theory in this suspenseful story that takes place in all of twenty four hours. Expert...more
I love Doc Ford. I love that he lives near where I live. I also love his fictional restaurant. That said, I am not sure how I feel about Randy Wayne White's new angle of making Ford get into and out of trouble over the course of a day. The stories, including the premise of Chasing Midnight, are cool. But I also sort of feel that it is false and I am reading an episode of 24. I can suspend my disbelief, but I am not sure I can do it this much. That said, this book was fun and fast and the perfect...more
Tense page turner describes this book for me. If I understood more about guns, ammunitions, night gear, etc....I could have enjoyed this a bit more. As a result this was the least favorite of his books thus far. The violence was continuouse all the way throughout the story. I think this is more a guy read because of the subject material. Oh well, glad I am through with it. For now, I'll have to wait until next year. I did like how he combined China, the middle east and foreign intelligence with...more
Apr 30, 2012
Debra
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
mystery-thriller-suspense
I've loved Randy Wayne White's Doc Ford series, despite it being implausible. Still, previous books guaranteed fun.
This one was just to unbelievable, almost a caricature of a caricature. Not enough of Tomlinson being Tomlinson.
And, although rarely would I say this, but George Guidall is not the narrator for these. I really miss Ron McLarty, who caught the tone and characterization perfectly. Especially of Tomlinson. Mr. Guidall is too serious, too businessman type to sound like Tomlinson, who d...more
This one was just to unbelievable, almost a caricature of a caricature. Not enough of Tomlinson being Tomlinson.
And, although rarely would I say this, but George Guidall is not the narrator for these. I really miss Ron McLarty, who caught the tone and characterization perfectly. Especially of Tomlinson. Mr. Guidall is too serious, too businessman type to sound like Tomlinson, who d...more
This book could have used a little editing as far as details are concerned. The whole island was supposed to be without power due to a jamming device, so that there was no electricity of any kind, nor phones or computers, yet at one point the protagonist is blinded by a spotlight? And at one point he is concerned about the opponents getting information by cell phone text? Hmmmm...
I usually enjoy this writer's series about Doc Ford, but in this book Doc becomes more a James Bond character than th...more
I usually enjoy this writer's series about Doc Ford, but in this book Doc becomes more a James Bond character than th...more
Well, this was my first Randy Wayne White book. I read this because I am a Floridian and I'm on an "all things Florida" kick. White is a well-known mystery /thriller/adventure writer who lives on Sanibel Island and centers every story he writes in Florida. This was a good pulp-fiction action adventure novel. High levels of tension and violence, not to mention testosterone. I notice that many of this author's followers were disappointed in this offering. I guess I will have to read an earlier wor...more
I received this book from Library Thing as an Early Reviewer in exchange for a review.
Let me begin by saying Randy Wayne White is an author that I enjoying reading especially because he lives and writes about Florida.
This is the fourteenth book I have read by this author.
For the positive things about this narrative – Doc Ford attends a special party on an exclusive Floridian island and meets several interesting people involved in the caviar industry. I really enjoyed learning about the caviar in...more
Let me begin by saying Randy Wayne White is an author that I enjoying reading especially because he lives and writes about Florida.
This is the fourteenth book I have read by this author.
For the positive things about this narrative – Doc Ford attends a special party on an exclusive Floridian island and meets several interesting people involved in the caviar industry. I really enjoyed learning about the caviar in...more
I look forward to RWW's books. I love Doc Ford. I am from Florida with family from one of the nearby islands that are the center of this series. That is why I picked the first one up so many years ago. I am also interested in the ecology of area and problem with over fishing. That being said, I was somewhat dissapointed in this book. It was a little slow to get into the action, I did like that we were in Doc's mind more than usual and feeling the man who is an agent. I like seeing how his mind w...more
This is a first for me, giving one of my all time favorite Florida authors only 2 stars, but something was wrong with this installment of Doc Ford. At first I thought it might be me, not focusing on the story so I put it down and picked it up later and same feeling, what is going on here? That happened a few times and I realized, this plot was weak, the characters never really fleshed out and overall, I felt like, Mr White, like Doc Ford, might just need ...? what? a change of pace? scenery? but...more
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Just as we have come to expect from Randy Wayne White, Chasing Midnight is a pulse pounding adventure. I liked how the two stories, the past which leads up to the present, are told concurrently, it really keeps the reader guessing. All of the chaos around Doc Ford lends tension with all the characters, especially Tomlinson, but it gets resolved with a nice little twist at the end. I won this through Library Thing’s early reviewers program.
Not even close to the quality of the earlier Doc Ford novels. Thankfully instead of my usual purchase, I borrowed this from my local library.
Authors, like readers, get bored with characters over a long series. I think that either White is bored with the Ford character or he is trying to find a new direction to take the series. The last two or three efforts have not measured up to the first nine or ten.
Authors, like readers, get bored with characters over a long series. I think that either White is bored with the Ford character or he is trying to find a new direction to take the series. The last two or three efforts have not measured up to the first nine or ten.
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As a novel this would have made a good short story. There just wasn't enough depth to the action to satisfy me. I became somewhat annoyed at the unbearably detailed description of Doc's fight with a bodyguard in gruesomely graphic play-by-play right down to which hand was breaking what body part. Far too much information! Interplay between Doc and Tomlinson was limited and none of the new characters really clicked with me. Maybe I'm just becoming a little tired of the endless parade of psychopa...more
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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...more
More about Randy Wayne White...
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...more
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I'm only 2/3 done, but could not refrain from logging on to howl about the egregious sin of naming Chinese characters Umeko and Sakura.
T...more
Nov 29, 2012 10:19am
Jan 25, 2013 07:29pm