Bahamarama

Publishers Weekly

As Morris's hard-boiled, edgy debut novel opens, former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zachary Chasteen is being released after serving almost two years in a Florida penitentiary on trumped-up charges. Zack longs to be reunited with Barbara Pickering, his velvet-voiced lover, who is busy in the Bahamas shooting a spread for the magazine she owns. He gets ditched mid-journey by the limo driver she's sent ahead to fetch him and is suddenly on his own, penniless and without ID. Zack hitches a ride to his childhood home, but once there, he's ambushed by the violent lackeys of Victor Ortiz, the man who framed him years before. Zack manages a narrow escape, but is faced with even more trouble. Barbara's ex-fiance, Brice, is found murdered, and she's been kidnapped with a hefty ransom on her head. Police inspector (and former football player) Lynfield Pederson and Zack put their heads together as Hurricane Curt barrels toward them. After the limo driver who originally deserted Zack is identified as a well-known deadly criminal and the probable source of all things bad, Zack gets a lucky break and speeds off to a bat-filled sea cave to confront his nemesis at the novel's bullet-ridden climax. An array of colorful locals gives the story some much-needed texture, while juicy plotting keeps this impressive page-turner simmering. Morris has produced an accomplished first novel with a priceless final scene. Agent, Joe Veltre. Regional author tour. (Oct. 20) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Released after an undeserved prison term, ex-football star and commercial boat owner Zack Chastain finds himself the object of a "search and destroy" mission by the man responsible, one Victor Ortiz. Hired thugs follow Zack across Florida to the Bahamas hotel where his travel magazine- owning ladylove awaits. Someone kidnaps the ladylove, however, and Zack, his Taino Indian buddy, and the local police inspector all think the culprit is Ortiz. But look again: the plot swerves with each swell caused by an incoming hurricane. Abundant Caribbean descriptions, amazing characters, unremitting wry humor, and a strong protagonist flavor this tempting first novel. Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, and Randy Wayne White fans will be reserving this one. Former Orlando Sentinel Morris lives in Winter Park, FL. [See Mystery Prepub, LJ 6/1/04.] Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Still another Florida columnist jumps ship for the beguiling waters of the seriocomic thriller. Whether or not they've been set up for the time they've done, not many guys emerge from the Federal Prison Camp at Bayport with Zack Chasteen's prospects: a chauffeured ride courtesy of his well-heeled girlfriend, Tropics publisher Barbara Pickering, to the nearest airport, a jet to the Bahamas, some quality time watching a fashion shoot, and happily every after. But Zack's pipe dream doesn't come off quite as planned. His limo driver isn't comely Barbara but lug Chip Willis, who normally handles security for Ruby Booby's topless club; he's soon stranded without his belongings; he learns that Barbara's hired her ex-fiancee, photographer Bryce Gannon, to finish the shoot; and when he finally sneaks onto Harbour Island without his passport, he gets no closer to Barbara than a sighting through binoculars before she's reported kidnapped along with Lord Frederickson Downey, a ga-ga family friend whose entourage sets new records for suspicious behavior. Teaming with his old Taino Indian sidekick Boggy and local police inspector Lynfield Pederson, whose behavior is equally suspicious, Zack battles recalcitrant witnesses, enforced idleness, the obligatory hurricane, and a tendency to explain himself a bit too fully. Despite blurbs from Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry, Morris's conscientiously plotted debut, stalwart rather than satirical or funny, is more like the studly adventures of James W. Hall's Dick Thorn or Randy Wayne White's Doc Ford. Agent: Joe Veltre/Carlisle & Company

Booklist

"The memorable characters, wry humor, and distinctive Florida and Bahama settings will appeal to Carl Hiaasen fans."
--Booklist