Customer Rating:  
Summary: Pretty Solid
Comment: This was a standard Doc Ford novel, but with pockets of greatness. Ford, in my opinion, is at his best when he gets into banter with Tomlinson, or talks about real every day life in Sanibel. I really liked the final couple pages of the book, and the beginning of the novel especially. I give it 4 stars because it's Doc Ford, and all his books are fun to read.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Randy Wayne White hits this one out of the ballpark!
Comment: Gripping, captivating and a real page turner. Randy brings to light the vulnerablity we face when we travel out of the country. Combined with the local Sanibel Island flavor and strong character development, the often traveled outer islands come into focus in Black Widow. Good ole Doc Ford once again steps up to the plate to save his god daughter from the evil doers that lurk on these islands. Mixed with twists and turns the ending will not disappoint anyone.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Has the shark been jumped?
Comment: I have read all the Doc Ford novels and some other of Randy Wayne White's fiction and non-fiction. I was first drawn to his works by the incorporation of the local color of the Fort Myers Beach/Sanibel/Captiva area, places I have visited. I thoroughly enjoyed the early Ford books and looked forward to each new publication. I especially enjoy the characters developed out of the Dinkins Bay Marina. But starting with Dark Night, I've enjoyed each successive book less and less. The latest villain from Black Widow seems more appropriate for a Mike Meyers movie. There are enjoyable moments, but some things are just getting too far fetched.
Far and away my biggest disappointment is what I view as changes in Doc Ford's basic character. Many successful authors who publish over a period of years run into a dilemma with their main characters (Parker's Spenser, Burke's Robicheaux, and White's Doc Ford). That problem is their aging. Parker seems to have frozen Spenser's age. Burke ages Dave Robicheaux much more slowly now. But White seems to have reinvented Doc Ford. Those of you who are long-time readers, did you notice how, for what I believe was the first time, there is no obvious or subtle mention of, or reference to Doc's age? Doc always had the combination of the professorial yet politely macho demeanor that appealed to women characters of substance over a wide but realistic age range. In this book, Doc seemed to be appealing to younger aged female characters, including a character he would have treated as a father figure in past novels. ALL the women had the hots for Doc this time! I found that cheapened him. And that conclusion??? Please. Also, I'm a city kid and have never found cursing objectionable, but some of Doc's dialogue just wasn't consistent with who Doc Ford has been. I found myself thinking "Who kidnapped Doc Ford and replaced him with this younger, "edgier" guy?" Also suspicious is the return to his former "career." Is this the Doc for a new generation?
A rhetorical question for thought: For those who know the series and all White's works, do you see signs of Doc Ford being reinvented as more of a Randy Stryker? If so, I believe that severely diminishes Doc as a character.
Again, I have very much enjoyed the bulk of the earlier works, my favorite being The Man Who Invented Florida. However, I didn't feel I was reading about the Doc Ford I knew previously in this novel and was comparatively disappointed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Doc Ford Fans, read this one.
Comment: In Black Widow, Randy Wayne White has a plot worthy of his writing talents while he avoids some of quirks that have led some to wonder if the Doc has outlived his usefulness as a hero. After fifteen books, there is some build up of back story which sometimes intrudes a bit much. White restrains himself in this one and while giving us some of the best former characters, (Tomlinson at his "guru"est zanyness and Shay Money, now grown up and escaped from her Daddy's clutches); he also introduces some sure to reappear individuals: Sir James, the semi-retired Brit Psyop spook and beautiful Beryl. The premise, a blackmailing scheme based on an exotic Carribean island, batchlorette parties, date rape drugs, handsome beach bums and hidden cameras is more than plausible. These are really bad guys and White does not need to get into a lot of mumbo-jumbo. Doc himself stresses that his profession is science and not superstition. When we do get to the voodoo island, it is clear that the manipulation of belief is at work. The novel's structure: first half set at Sanabel/Captiva environs and second on the exotic island is a familiar White pattern, allowing some Dinkin's Bay parties, whale swimming/stranding and shark threats. Doc's new semi legit job - developing marine toxin potentials for homeland security- does not quite measure up to his wilder adventures, and part of the story at Dinkin's Bay and his teaming up with Sir James have the potential for a sequal novel, but are actually a bit distracting here. There is also a bit of deja vu over again in some scenes, such as a parking lot eavesdropping.One may wonder what he is attempting with the Masonic questions, ie. "Are you a traveler." Could "The Man who Would Be King" be waiting in the wings? Also, the "Set off the alarm and the widow will go for her most valuable treasure is straight out of Sherlock Holmes. White should avoid these old chestnuts. White's biggest problem, however, the aging hero is somewhat ameliorated by the lack of headline references. Still as a poet said, "the girls are younger pinker, and more gradually out of reach." Not quite so for Doc; perhaps, the surprise romantic turn at the end of the novel may portend a more mature characterization about to show up in greater detail in the next novel. In a nod in this direction, Doc can still take care of himself, but we are not faced with the four or five on one beach bar fights, and Doc admits to being a bit out of shape. If you like White, these minor flaws are outweighed by what is his best effort in the last four novels. He has fun with technology, but doesnt get out of control. The political preaching is minimized and events move along at a decent pace. Buy this one, get a comfortable chair in the shade, pour a cold drink and enjoy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Doc Ford Delivers Once Again
Comment: Randy Wayne White just cannot write a bad book. I have to admit I fell in love with the zany hippie/guru character, Tomlinson, from the very first and he's the character who keeps me coming back for more. I've gotten more hilarious one-liners from him than I can count. (My favorite is: "Weirdness is only weird if you fight it.") Mr. White, I demand a book with Tomlinson as the main character!!
My only tiny complaint about "Black Widow" is there wasn't enough Tomlinson in it.....thus said, I have to admit that the opening chapters with the sharks and whales were primo Tomlinson, and had me howling with laughter---but left me wanting more adventures with Doc and Tomlinson together.
In this latest installment, Doc decides that he can't take the boring life he's now leading since leaving the secret covert organization that he's been in for decades and he takes it upon himself to generate his own action and help save his goddaughter's reputation. This one has loads of non-stop action from blackmail to voodoo-practicing hermaphrodites. Who could ask for more?
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