Chasing Midnight

Doc Ford #19

By: Randy White

Narrated by: George Guidall

It began peacefully enough, on one of Florida's private islands. At a reception hosted by a notorious Russian black marketeer, Doc Ford uses darkness, and his friend Tomlinson, as cover to get an underwater look at the billionaire's yacht. By the time Ford surfaces, everything has changed. Environmental extremists have taken control of the island. Or are they thugs hired by the Russian's competitors? Whatever the motive, they have herded everyone together and threatened to kill one hostage every hour until midnight unless their demands are met - at which point they will just blow everybody up.

Electronic jammers make communications with the outside world impossible. The only hope of avoiding terrible consequences: 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.

©2012 Randy Wayne White (P)2012 Penguin

Critic 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)

Doc Ford is the Swiss Army Knife of action dudes.

Doc pulls it out again. How can a fellow get into such seriously deep poop and yet still manage to free the captive fingerlings, get sympatico with the girls, match wits with Tomlinson and avoid the cops. He does it again. This time the bad guys were really sick dudes and about half way through I wanted Doc to waste 'em... But it dragged on. I ride my bike for hours listening to George Guidall so I'm getting exercise and distracted from the pain and that's OK by me.

Not White's best

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I am a big fan and read everything he writes. After the last two books, Deep Shadow & Night Vision, I expect and want more of the same intensity of action and depth of character. I didn't really feel any of that in Chasing Midnight.

What was most disappointing about Randy White’s story?

The characters.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

I especially like George Guidall's reading of White's books.
I picture Doc Ford with his voice. He also read Night Vision. Great performance.

Do you think Chasing Midnight needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The sturgeon science was interesting, Environmental terrorism. Lots of good subject matter.

Any additional comments?

I have only read this book audibly. Before totally dismissing it, I will give it another chance and read it in book form. Maybe I missed something.

Who Likes Caviar?

I have had these Doc Ford novels in my library wish list for a long time. As a former native of Florida, I enjoyed reading several of the Randy White Doc Ford series. I am sitll uncertain if I want to continue listening to the Audible versions of those I have not read. Maybe, it is just me, but are some novels better read than listened to on Audible? Don't know the answer, but the Doc Ford series may fit into that category for me.

In this outing Doc Ford makes it his business to investigate a group that are involved in the unscrupulous act of harvesting fish that are used for Caviar. Since I am not into Caviar, the story did not strike my fancy until the real plot was revealed. At a party hosted by these thugs, a group of "Free the Caviar Fish" join in and cause all kinds of trouble.

By the time the novel concludes, there are multiple deaths, terrorists, Russian mobsters, boats destroyed, and the fish are set free. Case solved.

Drawn out, with little character development

It was more like a narration than a story. Perhaps if all the other stories weren’t so good, this would be better.

Unusual disappointment

Doc Ford is one of my favorite literary characters, along with the supporting cast of this series. This one fell flat - story was slow, and lacked the action and compelling scenes typical of Randy Wayne White's other Doc stories. As usual, George Guidall's narration was superb, but even he couldn't bring this one up to speed. Can't recommend it.

weak and rambling

What would have made Chasing Midnight better?

it was confusing and way too long. The final scene of a boat chase seemed to take hours to unfold, without any real reason.

Would you ever listen to anything by Randy White again?

yes

Did George Guidall do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

okay

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Any additional comments?