Chasing Midnight (Doc Ford Series #19)

by Randy Wayne White

Overview

In the new novel from New York Times bestselling author Randy Wayne White, Doc Ford is the only hope for an island of hostages.
 
On one of Florida’s private islands, a notorious Russian black marketer is hosting a reception. Doc Ford only wanted to get an underwater look at the billionaire’s yacht. But when he surfaces, he gets a look at something he’d rather not see.

A group of violent, armed men have taken control of the island, their true identity unknown. Whatever the motive, they threaten to kill the hostages one by one unless their demands are met—after which they might kill everyone anyway.

Communications from the island have been cut off, and Ford knows he has to act. Luckily, the militants do not know Ford’s capabilities, or that he is still on the loose. But that situation won’t last for long…and the clock is ticking.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780425250617
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/05/2013
Series:	Doc Ford Series , #19
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	246,015
Product dimensions:	4.20(w) x 7.30(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Randy Wayne White is the author of the Doc Ford novels, four nonfiction collections, and a cookbook. He was a light-tackle fishing guide on Sanibel Island for thirteen years, and a monthly columnist for Outside magazine. He lives and works on Sanibel Island, Florida.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“A gripping thriller…White keeps the action taut.”—The Miami Herald

“White’s fans will eat this one up.”—Kirkus Reviews

“White does pure suspense as well as anyone.” —Booklist

“Randy Wayne White takes us places that no other Florida mystery writer can hope to find.”—Carl Hiaasen

Editorial Reviews

A gripping thriller…White keeps the action taut.”—The Miami Herald
 
“White’s fans will eat this one up.”—Kirkus Reviews

“White does pure suspense as well as anyone.” —Booklist
 
“Randy Wayne White takes us places that no other Florida mystery writer can hope to find.”—Carl Hiaasen

From the Publisher

Technology buffs will enjoy the cool gadgets in bestseller White’s 19th Doc Ford novel (after 2011’s Night Vision), but those looking for emotional depth should look elsewhere. Ford, a marine biologist and sometime investigator, infiltrates a gathering of black market caviar kings held on a private Florida island. Suspecting something illegal in the Russian host’s yacht, Ford slips out of the party for an underwater look. When he surfaces, the island’s power is cut and communications with the mainland are blocked by eco-terrorists with troubled personalities and murky motives. At first, Ford is alone, combating purely physical dangers. When victims and perpetrators finally appear, it’s difficult to care about any of them, except Ford’s old hipster friend, Tomlinson, while Doc’s inner life is supplanted by self-congratulation on his expertise, bravery, and physique. White always delivers intelligent writing and thought-provoking facts, but series fans may hope for a more character-driven story next time around. Agent: Esther Newberg, International Creative Management. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

One advantage CHASING MIDNIGHT has over many other audiobooks is its narrator. They don't come much better than the distinguished George Guidall. And this book needs every advantage it can get. But even when it falls prey to overwriting and slows to a crawl, Guidall is there to save the day. The hero is the wise Doc Ford, a marine biologist who is out to stop a plot to corrupt the world's caviar supply. Listeners will learn more about sturgeon and caviar than they ever wanted to know in this novel—with its contrived plot and unrealistic characters. Guidall's delivery elevates the book, but it's weak tea compared to the author's earlier works. M.S. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

MAY 2012 - AudioFile

Bad guys want to corner the caviar market in Doc Ford's 19th. Can Doc foil them? It's a tall order, since the no-goods involved are rich, powerful and exceptionally amoral. On the other hand, Doc's not your run-of-the-mill marine biologist either. He has skill sets mostly found among the Special Forces population, especially those licensed to kill. It's a place not unfamiliar to Doc. During certain unexplained absences from his customary Florida haunts—Sanibel Island, Dinkin's Bay—he's gone there at the behest of a grateful government. Meanwhile, to the billion-dollar caviar trade, the beluga sturgeon is the sine qua non, and on Vanderbilt Island, not far from Sanibel, interested parties are convening to discuss various means of exploitation. Doc, who views the sturgeon protectively and the "often corrupt caviar industry" with marked suspicion, has wangled an invitation. As has Tomlinson, his erratic, beyond-brilliant friend and companion through 18 previous adventures (Night Vision, 2011, etc.). That turns out to be a fateful decision. Suddenly, an explosion rips through Vanderbilt, taking out its communications capability and placing it under the control of a weird but well-armed extremist group named the Third Planet Peace Force. Unless its demands are met, Third Planet Peace Force will kill a hostage an hour, beginning at midnight. Can Doc and Tomlinson rise to the challenge, thwart the terrorists and save the beluga? White's fans will eat this one up.

Kirkus Reviews