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| Dark Light (Doc Ford Novels) | 
 enlarge | Author: Randy Wayne White
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $6.76
You Save: $18.19 (73%)
Buy New/Used from $4.47
Avg. Customer Rating:  (29 reviews)
Sales Rank: 579445
Format: Bargain Price
Language: English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.2 x 1.3
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
ASIN: B0014EAWZO
Publication Date: March 16, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Randy Wayne White is DaMan for Florida history/mystery stories November 1, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I first discovered White on a trip to Sanibel a dozen years ago while vacationing with my sons and families. At Jerry's, where one must shop for groceries (or Bailey's), I found my first White book, either Sanibel Flats or Captiva. As a tourist, I saw the usual things, but I was captivated by the islands and wanted to know about things outside the "beaten path."
White uses his considerable knowledge of southwest FL along with his lyrical and informative prose, to say nothing of his intricate plots and well-developed characters. I've read all of his books as fast as I could--he draws the reader into the background of the REAL islands, and I learned much I wouldn't have by just going to Bubble Room because grandkids when small, celebrated birthdays there.
I cannot praise White's historical/mystery novels nor his laudable writing ability enough. His words flow, be it description, conversation, or interesting and well-developed characters. I'd love to meet Doc Ford or Tomlinson, especially. I know they are probably composites, but I'll bet Randy Wayne White knows people similar to them if not them.
Dark Light is no exception; it is one of his best, with an intricate, sometimes mystical bent. I've met a few similar to Chestra, and I particularly like that her mystery is left hanging to some extent. Maybe she'll appear in another book. The international connection to WWII is also evocative to me since my father died in the Battle of the Bulge when I was barely four. That topic and the boat and its artifacts and the subterfuge among the characters held my interest through a night. I really didn't know there were German U-boats off the coast of FL during WWII.
My first Doc Ford book, I really enjoyed it. May 27, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was a little surprised when I got to this page on amazon and found that this book was getting lambasted by so many fans of Doc Ford. To tell you the truth I could understand why my fellow reviewers here were knocking the book around. It seems like a common complaint is that nothing really happens here, and not much does. I dont mind this at all, because Randy White's writing really takes off here and is so well done that he pulls the story along with understated prose in a refreshing manner.
At times I grew a little frustrated with White, mainly because he went overboard quite often with his descriptions and you often find yourself leafing through five or six pages of story that are re-hashing earlier thoughts or that could have been edited out without being missed. However, I would gladly read these pages and have such a strong story presented instead of being tortured once again with a Clive Cussler action packed comic.
A few things that kind of didn't resonate with me were that one of the main characters might have been a ghost. Your not sure from early on what is going on with this person, and White doesn't really go into great detail. I kind of like this in that it isn't neatly resolved. Also, the bad guy is so evil that it was a little hard to swallow. I don't think anyone ever is quite so bad. Apart from a few sentences this person is never humanized. White writes that this person had a middling average life before coming to Florida and the rest is all this persons evil deeds from the past...
I cant wait to delve into the other eleven Doc Ford books and would so far suggest this series to fans of the thriller genre.
 Bring Back Doc Ford May 23, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was very disappointed with this book. However, I did struggle through it all. I've ready every one of RWW books and usually can't wait for his next book to arrive. I'm hoping this was just a glitch in a long long line of Doc Ford books. One thing was gratifying, Doc Ford finally went after a women that wasn't half his age. Just next time she doesn't have to be twice his age!!!!!
 Not one of White's Best May 18, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This was a disappointment. The plot was too obtuse; the action was too muted; and, with one or two exceptions, the characters were not well-defined. I hope this is just a minor glitch in White's long parade of compelling novels. It was almost as if someone other than White wrote this.
 Not my favorite Doc Ford novel March 13, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I am going to give Mr. White a Mulligan on this one. As mentioned in the author's notes, Mr. White spent a lot of his time writing this book while in public libraries, around the country. He was also dealing with the endless paperwork that goes with insurance companies, reconstruction and FEMA. The damage done to his area of Florida is evident in the novel, through Doc's eyes.
This novel does give Doc Ford a new dimension. He is thumped in a dock fight early in the novel. Later in the novel Doc gives in to Tomlinson's "Seven Mile Bridge" weed in an attempt to ease the headaches he is suffering from as a result of a concussion suffered during the hurricane.
Also there is the introduction of ghosts or supernatural into this novel. I found this to be an interesting diversion from the usual plots of Mr. White's Ford novels. Reminded me of some of the works of James Lee Burke.
All in all, if you are looking for your first Doc Ford novel, this is not the one I would recommend with which to begin. But, if you are a Doc Ford fan, this one cannot be passed by, either.
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