Dark Light (A Doc Ford Novel)

This tale had lots of things Florida is famous for like hurricanes and sunken treasure. I live in Florida and this book brought back lots of memories of Hurricane Charley. RWW accurately describes dealing with the government and insurance companies after a hurricane. I'd never thought much about WWII and the possibility of shipwrecks from the era. This book kept my interest with its interesting plot. The bad guy, Bern Heller, was so evil I had to take breaks after reading about him. I read on RWW's website, [...], that he will be in his newest novel. Doc Ford fans and all people who love Florida will enjoy this book.

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.

Wow - I was surprised at the negative reactions from some reviewers, but I understand where they are coming from. In _Dark Light_ White takes readers in another direction than from the previous 2 or 3 installments of his series. However I found the change refreshing and much more reminiscent of the earlier books in the series. Rather than concentrating on Doc's dark, violent past or the looming conflict between his former covert life and his friendship with aging hippie Tomlinson, _Dark Light_ focuses on lost treasure... a metaphor not only for the diamond encrusted Nazi death's head found in a wreck after a hurricane, but also for the development and changes to the Florida the author loves so dearly. White does a tremendous job of weaving a story of sunken Nazi treasure, devious entrepeneurs and hints at a ghost story with the the familiar characters from Dinkin's Bay. For readers not familiar with the series, _Dark Light_ wouldn't be my recommendation to be introduced to the characters - but I do strongly recommend it, even over the last few books written in the series.