The Man Who Invented Florida

Doc Ford #3

by Randy Wayne White

When solitary marine biologist Doc Ford focused his telescope on the woman in the white boat, he didn't know his life was about to be capsized: that his conniving uncle Tucker Gatrell would discover the Fountain of Youth, that The National Enquirer would write about it, and that the law would beat down his door in search of three missing men.

But Doc Ford is about to find these things out-- the hard way. Because in the shadowy world of Southwest Florida, where gators yawn, cattle craze, and Indian bones are buried, mysteries great and small have found the man to solve them...in The Man Who Invented Florida by bestselling author Randy Wayne White.

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

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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

[Scott Rhee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Man Who Invented Florida" by Randy Wayne White is the third Doc Ford novel, although strangely enough Doc Ford is not the focal character in the story.

The character that we spend the most amount of time with is a redneck old codger living in a shack in the Everglades. His name is Tucker Gatrell, and he has (he claims) discovered the long-sought-after fountain of youth right in his own backyard.

Unfortunately, it won't be his backyard for long, as the state of Florida wants to raze all the unsightly redneck homes in his neighborhood (if you want to call a collection of sad tar-paper shacks abandoned long ago a "neighborhood") in order to build a national park. Or a golf course. No one seems to really know or care.

Gatrell cares, of course. It is, after all, his home. But he has a plan, and he hopes to recruit his brainy nephew Doc Ford to help him. The problem is, he hasn't spoken to Ford in almost a decade; not since Ford, who was living with his crazy old uncle after his parents died, ran away and went to college and then did some hush-hush government work.

Ford doesn't like his uncle, but he's willing to give him a chance. Ford's best friend, Tomlinson, an aging hippie, has a fondness for the old coot, and he thinks Gatrell may be onto something with his magical healing spring water. After all, there are ancient Indian legends of the area's supposedly supernaturally charged springs, and then there's the famous legend of Ponce De Leon who claimed to find the Fountain of Youth somewhere in Florida, the actual location of which was sadly lost to history.

Gatrell's best friend, Joe Egret, believes Gatrell's story. After drinking some of the magic water, the big old Injun had a burst of energy, escaped from that horrible old prison they called a nursing home, stole a horse, and was now riding across the 'Glades leaving a trail of (not so) young ladies in need of affection. Apparently, the spring water is better than Viagra.

Naturally, all of this couldn't have come at a worse time for Gatrell. Three men (a surveyor, an environmentalist, and the host of a popular fishing TV show) have mysteriously gone missing in the area.

FBI Agent Angela Walker suspects Gatrell has something to do with it (despite the fact that he reminds her of her beloved grandfather), and now she's got Ford entertaining the possibility. Against his better judgment (and at a time when he's got a lot on his own plate), Ford decides to investigate further, just when Ford is starting up a relationship with Sally Carmel, his sexy divorcee neighbor who is prone to late-night skinny-dipping.

I loved this book, not merely for the fact that it is a hilarious look at the absurdity of Florida culture but because behind all the laughs there is a depth and a heart. Fans of Carl Hiaasen, Dave Barry, and Elmore Leonard should check out White, if they haven't already, as he is steadily becoming THE writer of southern Florida crime fiction.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in the Doc Ford series introduces his sleazy Uncle, Gaspar, who is a cow hunter, a fishing guide, a drug smuggler, and who knows what all else.

He thinks he's found the fountain of youth in his backyard, and tries to embroil Doc in his scheme.

Not a bad book, but not really an adventure, as nothing adventurous happens.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally I enjoyed this book. I listened to the audiobook and I feel like I might have missed a thing or two that explained the why’s of some of what went on. But overall it doesn’t matter. It was silly and irreverent while still having some underlying depth about people and their motivations. It’s amazing to look at the reviews on this book. So many thought it was brilliant and so many absolutely hated it. I always find that interesting when so many feel so strongly in totally different ways. I enjoyed this addition to the Florida based comedy genre. That’s a thing, right?

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

“The Man Who Invented Florida” gets one star and a DNF. There are some 21 books in the Doc Ford series and my daughter prides herself on having read every one of them. And I admit I do like the character of Doc Ford. Doc is a marine scientist, formerly employed by a government intelligence agency now living in Jimmy Buffett-land, somewhere on the ocean off Florida. He lives in a dump near a marina and his friends are all low lifes of limited intelligence and limited willpower to resist alcohol and herbals. He is attractive to the ladies and though he doesn’t look for trouble, it always seems to find him. Bad guys from the past always find him or gun or drug runners. At least that was how the first two books were and the first 100 pages of Book 3 looked like it was going to dish up more of the same. So I threw the book out. Just tossed it in the garbage. Which was sad because the book was hard to find. I could find every book in the series except this. Not online, not in bookstores. Not even in the library. I even downloaded and started reading “Captiva”, Book 4 in the series. And then I found “The Man Who Invented Florida" in a Half Price Bookstore in Lexington, Kentucky. So happy! But I was so disappointed in it I threw the book out. Which solves the problem of why I could never find a copy of the book. Disappointed readers like myself threw all existing copies out. So goodbye, Doc. Let’s just keep this breakup between ourselves. No need to upset my daughter.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great Florida Book... This was published in the 1990's so some of it may be dated... no cell phones..... but the story is timeless ... the history.... the politics, love or lust, nature and some characters could just step out of our headlines today.... Just my second book by this author will be looking for more.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for this book. It felt more like a character study than a mystery. I didn't even realize that Doc Ford was the main character until I was well into the story. Maybe the other books in the series revolve around the main character solving the mystery instead of it being a secondary story line.

[Jim McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of the clash between the old and new Florida. Funny, sad, informative, and even poignant at times; this is a terrific book. The dialog is extremely well done. Characters are well defined, fascinating, and a little odd but somehow fit well together while in their own unique orbits.

My perspective of Florida has changed significantly even though I have been there many times. I didn't know what I didn't know! Simply a fascinating treasure trove of information about the Everglades and the people who have lived there.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doc Ford has some interesting friends that operate slightly outside the law but with good intentions . Florida's problems are at the forefront in this one. even the second time around Ford and Tomlinson get into some unusual situations but remain basically good guys.

[Jillian Ferry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three men disappear as an artisan well is claimed to have healing properties. Doc gets in the middle as his uncle has the well on his property and may also be the cause of the disappearances.

[James Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three missing persons and a mysterious water source with healing properties are the basis for the novel. The author includes social commentary on the mistreatment of the elderly in nursing homes.

The prologue and the first few pages make for a cumbersome and disjointed start but the novel improves from there. The author still appears to be perfecting his characters for the series and makes me wonder if this might have been the debut Doc Ford manuscript that was held back for rewriting while Sanibel Flats and The Heat Islands were released first.

[Mark Wesling · Rating 2 out of 5]

first Doc Ford book I did not like. Most of story is about his stupid uncle Tucker as though written by Carl Hiaasen, who I have never liked.

[Billmac · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh my goodness ... I finished the book only because I want to read every book in the series... I've read most of the books but had not read #3 because it wasn't held by my County library. At my request, they bought the book for the library. It was horrible. I rated all the other books in the series a 4 or 5, but now I know why this was the only book in the series my library didn't own. No story. No nothing.

Randy must have been high the entire time he wrote this one.

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite of Whit's 'Doc Ford' o because it really shows a bit of the 'Cracker' dynamic in not so much coastal Florida but the areas inland. White goes into the family history of his character far more than previously and it is a believable if somewhat sad story.
Highly recommended!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors. This book is a bit of a departure from some of the others, but gives some of the history of Doc Ford. It also explores the Florida that was and Florida as it is now, as seen through the eyes of the characters. It is also a good mystery, with lots of plot twists and turns. Definitely enjoyed reading it!

[John Machata · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a raucous South Florida thriller/comedy, but Mr. White's ramble in this tome does not quite hold together for this fan. It's OK, but I was bothered by his old fashioned objectification of women, the side stories which don't really add to the story. A pleasant enough read, but not Mr. White's best.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Man Who Invented Florida is the third book in the Doc Ford series. I didn’t like it as well as the first two books. This story had to much environment history of Southwest Florida for me. It made it a little boring. Also it was more about Ford’s uncle, Tuck, than about Ford. I hope the next book is better.

[CT Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Doc Ford character but unfortunately he was only in 50% or less of the book. The other characters didn't keep my interest. The book had an Elmore Leonard vibe, but the wit wasn't as sharp and the plot wasn't as interesting.

[Catherine K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm struggling with this one more than other Doc Ford's I have read/listened to. It's pretty slow moving with a LOT of story about the crazy uncle and his best friend. I need more Doc and Tomlinson, so hopefully it picks up a bit.

[Sandra de Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. I tried, because it was for a bookclub. I found it inane and irritating.

[Jennifer Lobdell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟

I felt like there was a lot of extra fluff in this book... maybe it's trying to make the characters seem more personal but I felt like it was just adding length and was boring. Maybe some of it will be relevant in future books? I will find out. I like Doc. I like his science experiments and wish he would have done more "solving" in this book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older one that I missed along the way, so I am reading the older ones get caught up. This one is mostly about Fords uncle Tuck, who lives out in the Everglades area. The State wants his land for a State park expansion, or so they say....

[Frank Perdomo · Rating 2 out of 5]

crawled through the first 100 pages
powered through the next 100 pages
skimmed the last 100 pages
reminding myself this was written in the early 90s
and would have been ahead of the times, but now im jaded
and this lit is dated as nice basic florida lit of the early 90s,
after watching Bad Monkey 🐒 i think Carl ripped this even better
in the early 20-teens and the show produced this decade captures the vibes 🍊
AND brings them uptodate as Florida lit to note 📝 ☀️

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this novel while on vacation in Ft. Myers, FL The author is a resident and noted author of many novels whose story lines are set in Southwest FL. Doc Ford is a dedicated marine biologist who unwillingly becomes fully involved in his elderly uncle's most recent escapade. Several characters, each with their own back story, contribute to a tale filled with hilarity, mystery, history, ecology, and the complexity of personal relationships. I definitely would like to read another.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the one featuring Doc's uncle, Tucker Gatrell, his old friend Joe Egret and a complicated plan to prevent the State of Florida from taking Tucker's land in Mango to make a new park.

Probably the weakest of the Doc Ford books that I have read. Joe Egret is a good character. Tucker is colorful but a bit of an SOB. Doc seems a bit ineffectual. Tomlinson is off an ill defined crusade that kind of peters out to nothing in the end.

Several key characters are not dealt with in the epilogue.

This was book #24 on our 2017 Read-alouds List.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

White’s Doc Ford series has been a recent discovery and I have been charmed by his characters. In this 3rd offering in the series, Doc Ford has to contend with his elderly uncle Tucker and his sidekick, Joseph Egret, a Calusa Indian. Tucker is the kind of crazy uncle that will recount their interactions with famous people in Florida’s past, try to convince you that the water from an Artesian well is the fountain of youth, and is just savvy enough about Florida law to be dangerous. Doc Ford, the marine biologist residing on Sanibel Island has his hands full! Enjoy.

[Faye · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the heck did I Just spend the last 5 days of my life reading? Ugh. About as obtuse as Doc felt Tuck was, maybe worse. Totally confused by the whole mess. The plot needed cliff notes. Sneaky uncle. WTH was the bit about the blown-up boat at the end? Geez. Was Joseph dead or alive? Made me feel like I fell asleep and missed whole paragraphs...which I didn't but I did have to re-read a lot. Just not my cup of tea. The interesting bits about Florida were lost in the painted dogs on the stolen horse's ass. Help? I love the writing, the setting, but wow this one...

[Lloyd Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read one of the Doc Ford books while at a resort in Belize, someone had left it behind as most guests do. I don't remember which it was, it was not something that really registered much with me at the time.

I picked up another of his books later and this one, The Man Who Invented Florida, got my attention. It's a mystery with a lot of comedy added in. I'll be reading more of his work.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Doc Ford series. Although the plot line shifted back and forth to several locations, the story held up well. The characters are quirky and there is a lot of humor in the story as well.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Doc Ford tale, involving an estranged uncle, his uncle's friend, Joseph, three missing men, the fountain of youth, Doc's romantic entanglement, a stolen horse....and what might be a land swindle. Alot to get into a story, but Mr. White does an admirable job.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wild whacky, funny White classic piece of humor. The fountain of youth, retirement village, kid napping add to this "I didn't know that about Florida" but you will with Doc and his Uncle Tuck. Another fun read.