Mean High Tide

This novel is an absolute delight--lush, tropical Florida background perfectly depicted; fast, fascinating action and excellent plot; and truly colorful characters. We have a super-symbiotic relationship between a violent sociopathic, father-daughter team; a sad detective married to a dog b*tch from h*ll whom he can't live with/can't live without; and a lovable super-hero who always lands on his feet. Judy Nelson, a law enforcement officer, is a very strong, brave and funny supporting player. Sylvie is the craziest woman you'll ever hope to see. I doubt there's any psychiatric diagnosis for her condition. Yes, she's a violent criminal sociopath and pretty much schizophrenic--but more than that, just crazy as a hoot owl. One of the most fascinating characters I've ever run across, and I'm sorry she died. But the other complete nut who really sticks in my craw is Sugarman. He falls in love with Doris, a beautiful, kind, gentle woman who loves him with all her heart, yet he won't leave his cruel, selfish, totally self-centered harpy of a wife who continues to make him her perfect little punching bag. (They have no children to consider.) So I give him no respect. Last we hear, Doris is still hanging in there with Sugar despite this, so I give her no respect either. This novel is simply not to be missed. It's far more than a fine suspense thriller in a beautiful scenic setting. It's a meticulously detailed study of how crazy and absurd some of our species can be. Not to be missed! Oldie but goodie that I just happened to find in the library and has hooked me on James W. Hall.

Invasive exotic species, get the picture? Eventually so does Thorn. A breeding program to develop a species of "red" tilapia under the theory that Americans will eat anything that's "red," not so far fetched now that we know about red dye in farmed salmon, threatens to unleash a flood of unwelcome visitors into the glades watershed. The story is a bit heavy handed, but after all so is Thorn.I discovered a used copy of this novel in a bookstore in the Keys a few years ago while hunting a poolside "read." Almost got as red as the tilapia as I forgot the time in the sun and since have hunted down the entire series. A rough, tough south Florida adventure novel, and while not Hall's best it's worth the time if you like this sort of fiction. I do.

James W. Hall is an excellent author, his books are always full of adventure, non stop edge of your seat suspense and packed with factual scientific information pertinent to the day in time. Hall introduces the story by forcing the reader to feel what it's really like to be inside of Thorn's skin. With the death of his close companion we share his anger, outrage, frustration and grief. The plot of the story holds more meaning because the reader is personally and emotionally tied to the story. Although the story is obviously fictional one cannot help wondering how far fetched a biological disaster as such could really be. In nature one finds that these occurances are often natually corrected however this book presents the question, "What if it occurs intentionally?" and more importantly, "Why?" James W. Hall is indisputably worth your money, attention and time. Don't stop with Mean High Tide!!!

Hall is the best of the Florida writers. His novels are complex and beautifully written and always full of scary situations and wild bad guys. Mean High Tide is one of his very best, which to my mind makes it one of the best thrillers I've ever read.Just the opening few chapters will blow anyone away who loves good writing and wild characters. There's a scene on the coral reefs in Key Largo that is as vivid and richly detailed as any underwater writing I've ever read. And in the same scene a moment occurs that is break-your-heart sad and scary at once.His environmental concerns are also richly detailed in this book. The very real threat of the tilapia fish being introduced into the warm tropical waters of Florida gives the book a moral weight that most thrillers lack.He's the best. Read all of them. But if you want to see Thorn at his most creative and angriest, read this novel.

Hall is the best of the Florida writers, and this is one of his most beautifully crafted novels. From the opening scene snorkeling on the reefs off Key Largo, to the final scenes in the Everglades, Hall renders the natural beauty of Florida like no other writer ever has. The thrills are there too, and wild characters (like Hiaasen's, only 3 dimensional), and great dialog. This is one of the best novels by one of the best thriller writers in the country.