Fans of Florida-based mysteries and/or scuba diving should enjoy this one
593251
A flawed yet entertaining cozy. Fans of Florida-based mysteries and/or scuba diving should enjoy this one.
3536454
It must be something about the Florida climate that spawns good mystery writers, Bob Morris being the latest. His first mystery opens with the protagonist's release from Federal Prison Camp/Baypoint, a home away from home for white collar types-- not exactly what we would expect for the makings of a sympathetic character. We soon learn, however, that Zack Chasteen was wrongly convicted and indeed is a most likeable mystery solver. He dresses well, eats and drinks even better and is in general a laid-back dude, even when he has to kill to protect himself. This  very well-written novel has an intricate, byzantine plot. Things are not as they seem here. While I anticipated some of the events, Mr. Morris and Zack were usually miles ahead of me. I would call this novel "slick", and that is not a pejorative term. It goes down as easily as a fine piece of Key lime pie. Actually, I wish Mr. Morris had included recipes for all that wondrously exotic food he discusses.

A friend and fellow-reader thinks the writer may have been too hard on Lesbians. (I don't want to give away the plot.) I didn't think so. Perhaps Mr. Morris can give the religious right a hard time next time.

I look forward to reading Mr. Morris' next novel.
1823013
Shawn Morgan

I have loved most of the Doc Ford novels and am excited to see this new character explore the same Florida waters with her own fresh perspective.  Hannah Smith knows her way around a boat, around the ,a groves, and around the quirky personalities old South Florida presents. Perhaps  she will need some apt advice in developing her skills as a detective.  Might she get valuable tips from a certain marine biologist?  I am eager to read her second book to find out.
2708763
Betsy Devonshire finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation when a body is found floating in the swimming pool facility she has been attending for water aerobics classes. How could a murderer access the locked building and pool? When one of her regular Crewel World customers begs her to help solve the puzzle, Betsy agrees to investigate.

This mystery was a nice twist on the classic locked room mysteries. The clues are presented in such a way that the reader can solve the mystery along with Betsy, which is a feature I prefer to have in cozy mystery novels.

The supporting characters who are regulars in this series are all present in this installment. Godwin, Jill, and the Monday Bunch members are all included, which is one of the things I enjoy most in these books. The supporting characters are like old friends from book to book and seem to grow as their lives move along with the years rather than remaining static and unchanging.

That's not to say that this book cannot be read as a stand-alone mystery. It will be more enjoyable to those who already know the characters from previous books in the series, but the mystery itself does not suffer from not knowing these characters' backstories.

Recommended as an enjoyable puzzle in an entertaining package.
4170505
Randy Wayne White has been tipped by critics as an heir to Carl Hiaasen, John D. MacDonald, and Travis McGee; practitioners all of the humorous seaside Florida mystery.  He is a veteran fishing guide whose columns are regularly published in "Outside," and "Men's Health" magazines. He has published such novels as&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Shark-River/dp/0425185214/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Shark River</a>;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Ten-Thousand-Islands-Doc-Ford/dp/0425180433/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Ten Thousand Islands (Doc Ford)</a>;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Mangrove-Coast-Doc-Ford/dp/0425171949/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Mangrove Coast (Doc Ford)</a>; and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Captiva-Doc-Ford/dp/0425158543/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Captiva (Doc Ford)</a>.  In "Twelve Mile Limit," apparently his fourteenth novel, he seems to be delivering another in that sun drenched genre, as it opens with his series character, Marion "Doc" Ford, fishing guide stationed in a little marina on Florida's Gulf Coast.  And White is very strong indeed on describing the flora and fauna of the State, and its waters - though he seems to have something against the sweet-tempered, slow-moving manatees.

At any rate, four divers have set off for a day's excursion fifty-six miles off the coast on a crisp November morning: they never return.  Two days later, one is found alive: naked, on top of a light tower in the Gulf.  One of the missing divers, Janet Mueller, is a friend of Doc's; so he sets off to try to find her, or at least what happened to her.  From here, we suddenly discover that Doc Ford, mild-mannered fishing guide, has a background in the U.S. intelligence services; and, in fact, has been our equivalent of the English "00" rank - think James Bond, 007 - licensed to carry weapons and to kill.  And, suddenly, Ford is in the dangerous city of Cartagena, Colombia, light years away from Florida sun and fun, involved in a plot that is hardly fresh, killing enemies right and left.

What has begun as an apparent beachy lightweight humorous mystery, in fact, seemingly morphs into a book of an entirely other genre, and one I thought was dead: a men's adventure story.  I mention James Bond because, although we are never told what Doc Ford looks like, most readers will, I think, peg him as middle-aged, at best, and quite likely in his fifties.  Yet Doc, rather an egocentric, seems to have the most powerful appeal to women, of every age, class, and ethnicity:how envious James Bond would be.

If you have never wished to be a 50-year old, womanizing secret agent, jumping out of planes, hanging out in hot and dangerous places, killing enemies with your bare hands,then getting their heads shrunk so you can wear them around your neck as pendants, this may not be the book for you.  Personally, I'd prefer to take an iced mocha and some other, more beachified book to the beach.
4657711
I enjoyed this book (#3) in the Candy-Coated Mystery Series.  The mystery had some twists and turns, although I did have the mystery solved before Allie and friends.  It was interesting reading about the 4th of July celebration on the Island and overall the story did keep my attention.

Although I enjoy her writing, there was almost too much detail presented in some places and a bit too much attention placed on wardrobe.  As a dog owner, I can't imagine taking Mal everywhere with her.  Also I soon tired of reading about the cat and Allie's indecision on whether she should keep it or not.  However, all in all, though, a nice way to spend a summer afternoon reading.

Note:  I received a copy with no expectation of a positive review.
4893961
Another engrossing Florida Panhandle mystery by Michaela Thompson, who is a native of that area and knows whereof she speaks. The characters and plot are believable to someone who has lived in Florida long enough to know there are indeed some nasty humans and other critters lurking in the beautiful, lush scenery.
4843828
I enjoyed the writing and the details about the Keys and diving. The character names can be distracting but I found myself turning the page to verify my suspicions. Enough detail was provided to get you to the conclusion while maintaining the suspense and question in your mind about your conclusion.
3796096
This is a fun read set in Florida - it's custom made to take to the beach.  I was actually reading it while on vacation in Florida, and the heat and water made it more enjoyable.  Andrew Yancy is the main character.  He's an ex-cop who's been reassigned to health inspector AKA Roach Patrol and is trying to get his police job back by solving a murder.  It's sort of a mystery because he's trying to track down a murderer, but it's more of a comedy.  Enjoy!
3845700
First if your look for a cozy this isn't it a cozy had tips and recipes and patterns and etc. Amateur sleuth does mean it's a cozy at least not too me.  I had to read because of the name Imogene.  I have a friend with this name and she's is as feisty as this Imogene and her sister Agnes. The setting is Florida for this Alabama family on vacation.  Imogene and her son Billy with his husband or at a mermaid convention and Auntie A is with them of course.  I mystery is so many turns and directions and not one but two murders that must be solved before Billy is locked up for swampy deeds he didn't commit. I enjoyed reading about the location and the character development is great the mystery was well thought and delivered with just enough ummp to keep me guessing
1301297
A  quaint town in Florida is the setting for this exciting mystery.  The inhabitants of Cassadega are composed of psychics and mediums which adds to the interesting plot.  I was pleased to find that although there were murders in the story, they were not of a gory nature yet were authentic sounding and the police work as well as descriptions of area were well researched.  I found the characters to be believable and likable.  After reading well into the night, I finished the book in two days.  I didn't want to put it down (always my criteria for a good book.)
2440340
I've read a smattering of Randy Wayne White's works and I've always enjoyed the fast-paced mysteries.  This latest release did not disappoint.  In fact, it kept me up hours past my bed-time.

I've been in Florida most of my life and it is a very unique place in many ways, particularly the level's and intricacies of corruption.  I have often referred to it as a "Banana Republic" and based on some of the dialogue, Mr. White agrees.

The writing was intriguing and creative.  His technique and use of foreshadowing are his strong suits.  I liked Hannah, she is an independent, 30 something woman, who does not suffer fools.  While her strengths are evident, her only weakness is that she doesn't trust her judgment about men, yet we have no insight into why she believes this about herself.  The only information we are provided is that two women in the family (also named Hannah) had chosen badly and suffered greatly as a result.  Since this is going to continue to be a genre series, I encourage Mr. White to develop her into a more empathetic character; hence the four star rating.

As far as the plot, Hannah uncovers many layers of secrets about the past while trying to expose both a real-estate scam and investigate questionable non-profit charity; which she later discovers are connected (certainly not unheard of in Florida).  The Florida history of Native American's and the 80's pot hauling days were fascinating and accurately told as well as interconnected to the story.  All in all, a fast read though a tad bit obvious.

This book is definitely one you'll want to read or give as a gift!
2613349
What could possibly go wrong in Hemlock Cove that hasn't happened before? For such a small community built around an occult, tourist-trap theme there have certainly been a lot of mysterious deaths in the past ... but this one is unique. People aren't sure if the murderer is a person or Bigfoot! Enter the Legacy Foundation, a group specializing in paranormal activities and its newest member, Charlie Rhodes. It's their job to determine if Bigfoot actually committed the crime.

A really cool mystery novel that draws off of the laughable one-liners that you have come to expect from Amanda's novels. Clove, Thistle, Bay, Aunt Tillie and now Charlie Rhodes have their work cut out for them solving the crime. Sit back and enjoy the ride as I did.
3439437
Good mystery taken place in Hawaii. She trains Dolphins to help save people and for research.
1141871
Cape Perdido is an interesting variation on a familiar mystery theme -- the lone detective against the town and its secrets.  In Cape Perdido, a small town's residents find their livelihoods at risk when an out-of-state firm bids to drain the Perdido River and ship the water off to Southern California in large water bags.  What little money comes into the town is from tourists . . . who are drawn by the river and the nearby shore.

It's the 11th hour and New York consultants have been brought in to organize a defense by building on the local resistance efforts.  But the consultants don't seem to be on the same page.  The local resisters are also in conflict with one another.  What they have in common is a disregard for Timothy McNear who is facilitating the water grab . . . after having shut down the town's mill just a few years earlier.  But McNear and several of the resisters seem to have a hidden mystery in common.  What are they hiding?

As the story evolves, you will find yourself puzzled by what's going on and why . . . but not any more puzzled than any of several of the characters are.  Ms. Muller provides a variety of narrators and points of view to show just how confusing the situation really is.  She holds the key back until right before the end . . . in a telltale clue that suddenly ties all the ribbons together.

For me, the book worked quite well as a story and as a mystery.  My main complaint against the book was that I didn't find myself feeling very sympathetic to any of the characters until near the end.  Without that sympathetic connection, the plot details remained details . . . rather than a compelling story that required resolution for the "good" guys and gals.

You would think that a story about a corporation wanting to steal water rights would create automatic sympathy towards those who would lose benefits from having the water.  It probably says more about how unsympathetic these characters are to say that such opposition didn't automatically make the potential "victims" attractive.

I am a fan of the Sharon McCone novels but find that Ms. Muller has painted herself into a story line that involves too many characters to be easy to enjoy.  I'm sure she relishes operating with more freedom, and I think she used that unaccustomed freedom well in Cape Perdido.  If she had created some more sympathetic characters, I would have delighted in the book.
3229777
If you like Florida, then you will love this book and all that is written in it.  I read it on my kindle, then gave it to another good friend (waiting to hear his thoughts on it - he isn't so fond of Florida as I am, but then again he doesn't like fun much either). Fun-loving and care-free, the author likes to talk about this adventure with his family on Captiva and all the interesting people he meets there. You almost feel sorry for him with all his dumb-luck, but then you remember that he is on vacation, and bad things can and do happen on vacation. His brother is certainly a character that reminds me of my two brothers. If you have ever been to the Florida Keys or any of the barrier islands, then you will understand this book better.  Well-written and good copy.
1865562
I live in Florida, so I liked the references to local places.  This was a very interesting read with a surprise ending. Just when you think you have it all figured out, it takes a new turn.