Ode to a Fish Sandwich

Quirky Tales from the Caribbean #1

by Rebecca M. Hale

From NY Times bestselling author Rebecca M. Hale, the story of a man, a fish, and the daily special.

Jilted at the altar, Dr. Walcott Emerson Jones sets off on his honeymoon without his runaway bride. A week on a remote Caribbean island is just what the sun-averse dermatologist needs to mend his broken heart.

Along the way, he braves a haunted cane field, tracks a grief-stricken fisherman up the side of a volcano, and befriends a chef at the local beachside diner.

But the cook has broader ambitions than spending the rest of her life serving up fish sandwiches, and the spurned diamond ring hanging from the doctor’s neck is a prize too tempting to resist. Will the vacationer’s last meal on the island turn into his last meal – ever?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Humor

103 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2013

About the author

NY Times bestselling author Rebecca M. Hale lives in Western Colorado with her feline writing associates - when she’s not off researching future books set in San Francisco, the Caribbean, or wherever else her wandering spirit takes her.

Reviews

[Yodamom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful and mysterious adventure to a Caribbean island with beautiful beaches, soft waves and the best fish sandwiches for hundreds of miles. The adventure begins with a damaged soul, fresh from a broken engagement, he is recovering from his broken heart at his honeymoon location. A dermatologist by profession he has some issues with the sun damage on his skin and some difficulty adjusting to this laid back lifestyle. He is laughed at and does not fit in with the island regulars. He struggles to figure out what to do till he wonders into a beachside eatery that only has one offering, the fish sandwich. It just happened to be the best thing he has ever eaten and the beginning of a change in his life.
This island stand is cover in secrets, and ghost that are gong to reveal the truth in between bites. One watery addition even gives her all to the cause.
A fun quirky story, beautiful and visually written so that you can feel the sand between your toes. Warning, it will leave you with a craving for that fish sandwich.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Walcott Emerson Jones goes off on a solo honeymoon in the Caribbean after being jilted at the altar by his bride. Dr. Jones is a dermatologist who is worried about skin cancer so he keeps himself covered up in baggie clothing and sunscreen and always has an umbrella up. At the resort he has made a nuisance of himself so he decides to explore the island. The guards to the resort do not want to let him out but he wears them down until they open the gate designed to keep unwanteds out and walks the road through the sugarcane in Rebecca M. Hale’s newest release, ODE TO A FISH SANDWICH. As Walcott walks down the road he is spooked by the feeling he is being watched. Is he? Dr. Jones, footsore and weary, finally arrives at the other end of the island where there is a shack housing a restaurant. He asks for water and decides to eat there. The owner, Winnie, tells him to order the special, which is a fish sandwich. He tries to order other menu items but settles for the fish sandwich. He is so delighted by it that he returns each day. He and Winnie pass the time of day and Winnie learns about his jilting. He also shows her the ring his fiancée returned. Winnie sees the size of the diamond and wants it. She also thinks the fiancée was crazy to leave him, even with his quirks. Can she get the ring? What would she do it get it?

ODE TO A FISH SANDWICH is a delightfully quirky story. The quirkiness starts with the title and continues with the characters. Dr. Walcott Emerson Jones is full of quirks. He worries about skin cancer and has alienated most the resorts’ staff and guests with his warnings of skin cancer and covering up to avoid it. His nickname is White Wally. Every day, no matter how hot and sunny it is, he leaves the resort and goes to Winnie’s place, Delilah’s Beachside Diner. He loves her fish sandwich. He also ends up with an unusual admirer while there. Winnie has quite a past. Her thoughts are on how to make her life better, meaning richer in monetary gains. She plots and wonders how she can do that. Seeing Dr. Jones’ ring really gets her plotting. Burt, Winnie’s estranged husband, brings her the fish everyday but is still in love with his first wife, Delilah, original owner of Delilah’s Beachside Diner. He is sure Delilah communicates with him daily from the spirit world. These are fun characters.

The plot is simply Dr. Jones’ week at the resort and what he does on this solo honeymoon. We learn of what people have done in the past. We also discover Dr. Jones has enjoyed his vacation to the point he is like the rest of us. He does not want to go back home but he must. He will, however, have some good stories to share at his practice.

With a title like ODE TO A FISH SANDWICH I did not know what to expect. I knew though that Rebecca M. Hale would give us a tale like no other. And she does. It is quirky, fun, a bit eerie, and Dr. Jones is oblivious to what is happening around him. This is a story of a truly unique man. A great story for a weekend escape when you cannot physically get away from home.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently jilted at the altar, Dr. Walcott Emerson Jones decides to set off on his honeymoon without his runaway bride. An adventurous week on a remote Caribbean island is just what the sun-averse dermatologist needs to mend his broken heart.

Along the way, he braves a creepy cane field, tracks a grief-stricken fisherman up the side of a volcano, and befriends a chef at the local beachside diner.

But the calculating cook has broader ambitions than spending the rest of her life serving up fish sandwiches, and the spurned diamond ring hanging from the doctor’s neck is a prize too tempting to resist. Will the vacationer’s last meal on the island turn into his last meal – ever?

A story about a man, a fish, and the daily special.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
This novella is Rebecca Hale’s first Quirky Tale from the Caribbean and it was a real treat.

Following Dr. Jones around the island for a week was fantastic and yes, quirky! Not happy staying with the confines of the posh resort he travels outside the gates and meets the unique residents of the island like Winnie, owner of Delilah’s Beachside Diner, who makes the best fish sandwiches ever. The islanders don’t know what to make of this man covered head to toe with either clothes or sunscreen but for the week he becomes a daily fixture in their lives. The even give him the nickname “White Wally”.

The story also has some quirky twists that had me humming the theme music from the old Twilight Zone television show as I reached the end.

A fun read for a quick summer escape to the Caribbean. One problem, I am now craving an authentic island fish sandwich :)

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ode To A Fish Sandwich is a very well written novella that has bit of suspense, humor and very enjoyable look at a remote Caribbean island.

Dermatologist, Dr. Walcott Jones, has been left at the altar. He decides to go ahead and take his honeymoon at a couples only resort on a remote Caribbean island. Being a dermatologist, he is overly concerned with being in the sun and is constantly lathered with sunscreen. So much so he has earned the nickname White Wally at the resort. He soon wants to see the rest of the island and pleads with guards to open the electrified gate. He finds Delilah's Beachside Diner, where he soon finds that the only thing is a fish sandwich, said to be the best in the island.

There are three characters and they tell their own story.

This was an excellent story and as with all of Hale's work, very descriptive with just a touch of humor along the way.

As I read this story I couldn't help but think about stories on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and Twilight Zone and maybe a bit of Fantasy Island.

I certainly hope that there will be more Quirky Tales From The Caribbean, as I will definitely be reading them.

[Susan Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ode to a Fish Sandwich (Quirky Tales from the Caribbean): another book by Rebecca M. Hale, my favorite author! A sun-phobic dermatologist, jilted at the alter, decides to proceed alone on his honeymoon to a tropical island. Feeling out of place, he heads into town against the wishes of those manning the gates to the resort. There he discovers the island's celebrated Fish Sandwich, a lovesick tuna, and his role in the continuing lore of the island. This book is laugh-out-loud funny and filled with the quirky characters for which Hale is noted. This book in addition to her Mystery in the Islands books is also the reason I bought my Kindle, perhaps the best investments I ever made. If you have not read Hale's books, this is a great introduction. However her Cats and Curios mysteries remain my favorite beginning with How to Wash a Cat to her latest, How to Paint a Cat. Do not miss out on Hale's books for unparalleled excursions into another world of humor and delight.

[Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling · Rating 3 out of 5]

My View:
If you like quirky and the slightly bizarre then this novella is for you. Hale provides some very beautiful settings, the locations are picture book idyllic; romantic tropical island, beautiful luxury resort and even more stunning local beaches and a fish shack on the water front that makes the most incredible and delicious freshest fish sandwiches.

Add to this setting a dermatologist afraid of the sun that has just been dumped by his bride to be and a tuna in love with the doctor, and a cast of local desperate and murderous people and you have a very interesting and somewhat strange story this is unlike anything I have ever read.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful short story with characters you like and that amaze you. Dr. Jones, takes his honeymoon (Minus the fiancee and wedding)on a obscure tropical island in the Caribbean. He explores the island much to the dismay of the resort owners and discovers a diner where he goes everyday for lunch. Twist and turns, Caribbean legends and lore and a "ghost" who haunts the cane fields. A great little read. First in a series by Rebecca Hale and hopefully there will be many more.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky Tale of the Caribbean. On a small island 1500 miles southeast of Miami.....I chose Dominica although the setting sounds a lot like Eleuthra in the Bahamas.

[Bookish Enchantment (Katherine Quirke) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this short story really loved it. Fast, interesting and curious. Worth picking up and reading.

[Paula Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun tale of sun and sea that made me laugh and made me hungry for a delicious fresh tuna fish filet sandwich!

The story started a bit slow but it easily pulled me in and I fell into the rhythm of the sea and the cane fields, wicked Winnie and Burt and of come course the doctor and the heroine! Fun story!

[Louisa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the mysteriousness of the story. The interaction between Winnie, the fisherman, and the doctor was intriguing. Also the character of the poor, dead Delilah added to the suspense.
I wonder——what did happen to Winnie and her husband, the fisherman? I guess nobody will ever know.

[Donna Engler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best

Loved the first book I read by this author, but didn't care much for this one. Sorry. A strange story.

[Emilie Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly surprised

Good rating for a fast read. Never expected how it was going to end. Took me by complete surprise, not at all what I thought. Loved it!

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad ending with little character growth; some good twists in the story;

[linda lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Enjoyed the book very much. Different style. Interesting and surprising twist Very well written kudos to the author. Plan to read more!

[Delissca · Rating 1 out of 5]

0 stars!!! The most rediculous book I've read in a very long time!

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The funnest thing about this book was it's title. I got if "free" for my kindle.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left me hungry for a fish sandwich

Cute tale of a jilted dermatologist on vacation in the Caribbean, a local diner owner, and her memorable fish sandwich.

[Katherine Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical story.

An enjoyable experience is what I found in reading this book. It is truly a cozy read, as the story progressed I didn't expect the ending.

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a little trouble getting to the end of this book, because I kept expecting the dermatologist to die - I was reluctant to see it happen.

The dermatologist (called White Wally by the resort crew) has arrived at his honeymoon destination alone. His fiancee broke up with him at the altar - since everything was already planned and paid for, he decided to come on his own. The island is a small one and the only place of any size is the resort - which has a fence around it. The dermatologist is deathly afraid of skin cancer, so only goes out completely covered with sunscreen as well as long sleeves and a hat (hence the nickname). He does not enjoy being around all the couples and so insists that the guards at the resort let him out of the gate and he wanders the island.

He comes to Delilah's, which is actually run by Winnie. Delilah has disappeared - gone for several years - and is considered by the islanders to be the controlling spirit. They tell each other his fate is up to Delilah when he goes off on his own. At the diner, he tries to buy a hamburger, but Winnie informs him he wants a fish sandwich - which he loves the taste of amazingly! So, every day after that he walks across the island to Delilah's diner for a fish sandwich and maybe a little snorkeling with his hat, sunscreen and long sleeves. He also carries a large umbrella around the island and wedges it on the picnic table for shade while he eats. One day he shows Winnie the engagement ring his fiancee returned - he wears it on a chain around his neck. She can't keep from thinking about that diamond and what she could do with the money. He comes down his final day on the island for his last fish sandwich .......

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a 2015 Book Challenge. Though I’d never heard of the author before, she shares my initials, hence satisfied the Challenge requirement. The cover was appealing, with white sands, azure ocean, and two beach chairs, and the title suggested a bit of levity. It seemed a better option than revisiting dreary Heinlein novels. Plus it was short enough to enable me to get on to other Challenge books quickly. I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much, and look forward to reading some longer and more complex works by this author.

The action takes place on a small Caribbean island. It’s a mystery with significant humor in the telling. Ms. Hale describes settings beautifully, from the pretentious resort to the bright beach to the strangely murmuring abandoned sugarcane fields. The quirky characters are well-defined: the jilted sun-fearing dermatologist known as White Wally by the islanders; Winnie, who cooks up the best fish sandwich known to man; Burt the burly fisherman; and Delilah, who disappeared years ago and whose spirit still haunts the island. The plot sports a few intriguing turns, and the epilogue gave me a giggle.

As often happens, I was undecided between a 3 and 4 star rating. True, the plot isn’t as developed as in many novels, but this is largely due to its novella length. Extra points because I enjoyed the author’s voice and the well-described setting, and to encourage Ms. Hale to create some longer works for us to read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ode to a Fish Sandwich is the first story in the Quirky Tales from the Caribbean series. It was a fun read and yes, it had a rather quirky cast of characters. The author was so perfect in her description of the island, I could hear the waves, smell the salty ocean and see the Palm trees swaying in the breeze! I'm ready for a trip to Barbados, St. Thomas, doesn't matter. :)

It's a quick read and you will certainly be entertained. Looking forward to the second in this series. I recommend this unique story!

* I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting but a very good short-ish story. I was expecting a tropical tale of an outlandish Caribbean vacation. While it has some of that it turns a bit more dark towards the end. The characters are very unique and interesting and again not at all what I expected but I liked them in their quirky ways. The book was well written but I could have used a bit more description to help transport me to the beach along side Wally. 3.5 starts for the first book Quirky Tales from the Caribbean series.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a stranger story that was compelling and one I couldn't put down. A doctor jilted at the altar goes on the honeymoon anyway and ends up on a small island in the Caribbean with not much to do he wanders out of the resort and finds a small shack that serves the best fish sandwich.

The story line was strange and I thought it would drag but it didn't. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The main character Dr Walcott Emerson is an odd but appealing character and the side characters are equally intersting.
A very well written story.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this short little book on the plane when coming home from Cancun. About a dermatologist who is dumped right before his wedding day and goes to the Caribbean on his planned honeymoon anyway. Falls in love with the local favorite food item - the fish sandwich at Delilah's. Whole story about the volcano, Delilah, her fisherman husband, and the new owner of the diner that serves the popular food item. Couldn't help but like White Wally.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interestingly done apart from the ending - the ambiguous fate of the two supporting characters, whose real faces and activities are exposed leave a little feeling of the tale being note complete, but otherwise it is a refreshing change - especially the way the main character - the dermatologist - is depicted...

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short novel about a dermatologist, a fish, a cook and a fish sandwich. Without totally understanding the "meaning" of the story, it seemed to me written as a sort of allegory about what can happen when one covets someone or something. I really like the writing style of Ms. Hale and plan to read more of her books.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the title, and the story lived up to the quirkiness it implies. This off-the-beaten-path story of a jilted man, a manipulative woman, an odd fisherman, and a diamond ring kept me guessing what would happen next as I read every page. It's only 92 pages long, but it's a story worth reading.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a Short Storyb

This was definitely a quirky book, and it was enjoyable...but a "book" it was not. More of a short story, as I breezed through it in about half an hour. Still, Rebecca M. Hale is great storyteller, and I will definitely read the next book in this series.

[Pdamon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very quirky and very fun. Having just returned from a quiet Caribbean island, it was like a little extension of my vacation.

It has the feel of a local myth or ghost story. The addition of the clueless, sun avoiding dermatologist makes it all very tongue in cheek.