It's a solid set-up, with just enough tantilizing bits and pieces of backstory that White isn't locked into any one direction with his hero, should the series take off (spoiler: it did). Marion Ford is doctor of marine biology, early military, now retired from government work with a few priceless contacts remaining. There's little bits about bullhead sharks, squid, and tarpon mixed into the story. The other specialty White brings to the series is his interest in fish biology. There's also touches of the crazy conventioneers visiting Florida, the obnoxious low-level businessmen and the women on sexual holiday. What about the wierd white people culture? White's particular take specializes in the Florida coastal community, homespun locals and Northern white people exploiting the Keys. It's just so peculiar.īut enough about the imaginary culture. Perhaps lazy, because despite being in Florida, and despite being in Costa Rica and a fictional South American country, White tries to give us some local flavor by using two Spanish words: 'calle,' and 'tienda.' Oh, yes, my gringo friends: 'street' and 'store.' Not particularly relevant either. One part of my brain ended up poking at it, trying to analyze the 'why.' I could not work out if he thought he was being sensitive by using a fictionalized people, or lazy with characterization.

A lot of strange things happened then, including White's idea to use a fictional South American country Masagua as part of his setting, as well as two fictional Mayan tribes. White's entry into the genre is solid, albeit rather peculiar.

Sanibel flats kindle