Book Review-Newer Books 21

Review—Black Widow

Randy Wayne White wrote the novel Black Widow. Putnam Adult published the book in April 2008; the novel has 337 pages.

            South Florida is an excellent place for researching sea life. Doc, as friends know him, studies sea life and is even working on some form of poisonous shrimp. He is mysterious to those around him, friends old and new. He has government contacts and a past that few seem sure of. His goddaughter, Shay is soon going to be married and when she calls; Doc learns that she needs his help.

            The help Shay needs takes Doc to the island of St. Arc, near St. Lucia. After a bachelorette party on the island, the situation gets dire. Blackmailers have contacted the girls with a tape and demands. They make one payment, thinking it is over, only to find out the people with their lives in their hands want more. St. Arc is an island of beauty and get-a-ways for tourists. The bachelorette party that got out of hand involves alcohol and a drug that reduces inhibitions; in addition, it turns out to be part of an elaborate system of tourists being threatened and humiliated. Doc comes to St. Arc hoping to help his goddaughter and finds himself embroiled in an investigation that involves not only family but also many other victims, from politicians to mid-western homemakers. There is black magic woman, who runs an exclusive retreat and rules the island; she may be the mastermind behind the criminal operation. She keeps big dogs that keep the retreats secrets secret and has islanders who fear her follow her directions. Physically and emotionally frightening to many on the island, the black magic woman is almost more than even Doc can handle, even with reinforcements.

            Danger and intrigue are a part of the story and the characters are at times interesting throughout the novel. Otherwise, the book falls flat; the topics and stories jump around with little follow through for characters or introduced ideas. Many plots are brought into the book, then dropped and sometimes picked up later, or not at all. The novel is the first read by this reader and though the main character is interesting it was not enough to encourage further exploration.