Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) - , reviewed on 7/4/2018 + 569 more book reviews

When a series â novels, movies, comics, television â has gone on for awhile, often the quality and creativity begins to diminish. Perhaps the creator has gotten bored with the characters or premise, maybe the schedule is forcing out ideas and concepts that haven't had time to solidify, maybe the editor or publisher is providing a little undesired âassistanceâ â¦
In my opinion, some of Randy Wayne White's books started to fall into this unfortunate pattern. However, the best of writers break out of it â and Randy Wayne White is a darned good writer! 2010's âDeep Shadowâ manages to tie together 3 separate threats into a single coherent story, and interlaces them in a page-turners dream!

The basic premise: Doc Ford has been invited to investigate rumors of historic plane wreckage in a central Florida lake. Historic, in that it might be the remains of a plane carrying riches that Batista smuggled out of Cuba while he was fleeing Castro â if indeed, it IS a wrecked plane. Problem #1: A limestone cave-in traps two of Ford's fellow divers. Problem #2: Two ex-cons fleeing a murder have come across the scene, and have decided waiting for salvaged treasure justifies not simply stealing the team's truck and fleeing the scene. Problem #3: There are rumors of a monster in and around the lake, and there are indications that this just might be more than legend.

Author White breaks out of some of his usual tropes. The normal âDoc Fordâ 1st person narration is not banished, but it is interleaved with other perspectives, to provide narrative from differing viewpoints and situations. Secondly, there's no political agenda and no sinister plan / threat to thwart; there's just a couple of ordinary bad dudes who happen to have enough wits about them to get control of the situation. On the other hand Florida history and its environment â flora, fauna, geology, etc. â has NOT been forgotten and plays an important part of this book. The novel shines because of both its deviations and its adherences to what has worked in the past.

âDeep Shadowâ is one of the best books I've read this year. (Or rather, listened to â I had the audio version narrated by George Guidall as my companion while driving around during this year's vacation.)

RATING: Five Stars

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