White signs his book. STEPHEN MITSKAVICH / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH

It wasn’t a dark and stormy night, and there seemed to be no intrigue, clues, shadowy figures or obvious chaos at Lake Timber Lodge. Yet fans of the Doc Ford crime series lined up eagerly out the door on June 25 to meet prolific Florida novelist Randy Wayne White and get a sneak peek of his latest book, “One Deadly Eye.”

Attendees at the event were excited to chat with White and take a closer look at his ongoing series, which began with Sanibel Flats, published in 1990. White even asked if anyone had a copy of the first edition of the first limited edition from his early days as an unknown author, hinting at how valuable it might be.

In One Deadly Eye, our fictional heroine, marine biologist and retired NSA agent Marion Ford, becomes embroiled in a conspiracy in which a Russian crime ring uses a deadly hurricane as a cover to attack the coastal homes of Florida’s wealthy to steal valuable art and jewels. Amid the chaos, the island, supposedly deserted due to a mandatory evacuation, harbors untold secrets.

The room was filled with an eager crowd waiting to meet Randy Wayne White and hear his compelling stories and insights. STEPHEN MITSKAVICH / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH

White discovered his calling in 1988, writing nonfiction books about nature, travel and adventure for magazines such as Men’s Health and National Geographic Adventure. He captivated packed audiences with poignant and often humorous backstories. These stories, rich in real characters and places from Sanibel Island and the Thousand Islands region of the Gulf, kept audiences hanging on his every word.

White’s extensive knowledge of Florida’s land, waters, climate and people ensures that his fictional stories resonate with readers. He paints vivid pictures of picturesque beach towns and turquoise waters, remote areas, First Nations shell middens and the ancient sea dogs who have inhabited these areas for generations.

White and Donna Byars.

Interestingly, writing was White’s side job. He worked as a soft-tackle fishing guide for 13 years and had about 3,000 charter trips under his belt before the marina closed and he was out of a job. Although he’s found success as a writer, White admits it’s still hard work that hasn’t gotten any easier over time.

Fans can look forward to the continuation of the series. “One Deadly Eye” ends with unresolved storylines and leaves room for further adventures. White even made some hints about some real-life characters who survived Hurricane Ian with him, much like the characters in his book.

From left to right: Paul Primeaux, Wendy Webb, Randy Wayne White and Paul Primeaux’s son Alec. STEPHEN MITSKAVICH / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH

When asked about the future of recurring character Tomlinson during the Q&A, White humorously noted his female readers’ fascination with the character. Although Tomlinson is a womanizer without a moral compass, his appeal remains a mystery even to his creator.

Although White often refers to his works as romantic literature, he describes himself as more of a nerdy writer who places value on historical and geographical accuracy in his works. He considers One Deadly Eye to be his best work to date, but acknowledges that authors often prefer their most recent works because of the immense effort that went into their creation.

White encouraged aspiring writers in the audience, stressing the importance of the written word, advising them to encourage older people to leave at least one honest page of text that will be preserved for future generations and even outlast photographs.

White, like his character Doc Ford, is a ham radio operator. He recounted how he and other residents participated in rescue efforts after Hurricane Ian, using ham radios when other communication lines were down. These real-life experiences provided authentic details for his book and enriched the story with real elements of the storm’s impact.

At the end of the event, fans left not only with signed copies of One Deadly Eye, but also with the experience of meeting a Southwest Florida legend. Some even suggested that the book could be set inland in the future, perhaps at the nearby former gun club.

Source: Babcock Ranch Telegraph