Frank Bama scrapes a living flying an ancient battered seaplane for anyone who will pay for his fuel. He meets up with an old girlfriend, Trevor Kane - an heiress who is ready to blow a fortune to search for her missing rock-star brother. Jimmy Buffet is the author of "Tales from Margaritaville".
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I was watching the Cubs game and eating a fried shrimp platter at Bobalou's when Rudy Breno burst through the door like Geraldo Rivera on a drug raid. Read the first page
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I was watching the Cubs game and eating a fried shrimp platter at Bobalou's when Rudy Breno burst through the door like Geraldo Rivera on a drug raid. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By "marcuscree"
Format:Paperback
Jimmy Buffett knows the tropics, and generally sings about what he knows. This well known fact is liable to colour people's opinion about this book, potentially unfairly. Were it not JB writing the book, readers would likely be impressed by the author's knowledge of and love for his subject matter. Because it is JB, readers who do not like his music are likely to see it as simple empire building on his part, noting the many references to his own songs and life.
The fact is that the book stands alone well, is enjoyable, and for a book of 460 pages, rolls along at a pretty good pace. The mystery (or mysteries) is well put together, and has enough twists and turns to keep you interested and has some real surprises.
The settings are exceptionally well developed, and the characters are well drawn to a point. This is not really a critisism, but just a warning that the plot is very Indiana Jones like which requires that the players, especially the leads tend towards the old fashioned Saturday Matinee type.
I have no intention of giving away the plot, but if you fancy a genuinly distracting read, about larger than life heroes, vilains and feisty dames set in a world of sea planes, modern day pirates and tropical locales, then this book is very much for you.
It goes without saying that if you are a fan of JB's music, then you will love this book, but even if you don't but do enjoy a well written, fast moving, modern set adventure, then take my advice, forget who the author is and just let yourself enjoy this book for what it is.
By Captain EO
Format:Paperback
After thoroughly enjoying my first Jimmy Buffett novel, "A Salty Piece of Land" I decided once more to dip my toes into the warm waters of his world & wasn't disappointed. It's another slice of far-fetched adventure set amidst the swaying palm trees of the Caribbean, this time recounting the tales of charismatic seaplane pilot Frank Bama as he flies from one tropical dilemna to another. If you like your books full of escapism - I highly recommend reading one of Buffett's books. It's a perfect tonic for a grey & dreary week-night in the UK & whilst the books may not be to everyone's taste, the writing is a lot better than many give Buffet credit for & the stories don't fail to raise a smile.
I did prefer "A Salty Piece of Land" to Joe Merchant but a large part of that may well be down to the fact that it was my first outing of Jimmy's, I do however feel it was a more alluring story with greater scope, locations & characters.
Buffett has been hugely successful in the USA as a writer & it's easy to see why. Often however the Brits & Americans have differing tastes and I can't help but think that we're missing out as Buffett's stories & writing are far more enjoyable than the majority of un-imaginative trash that appears to be lining our local supermarket stores for the last decade or so.
Looking forward to my next slice of Jimmy Buffett when boredom sets in !
I did prefer "A Salty Piece of Land" to Joe Merchant but a large part of that may well be down to the fact that it was my first outing of Jimmy's, I do however feel it was a more alluring story with greater scope, locations & characters.
Buffett has been hugely successful in the USA as a writer & it's easy to see why. Often however the Brits & Americans have differing tastes and I can't help but think that we're missing out as Buffett's stories & writing are far more enjoyable than the majority of un-imaginative trash that appears to be lining our local supermarket stores for the last decade or so.
Looking forward to my next slice of Jimmy Buffett when boredom sets in !
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
109 reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, I am a pirate....parrothead....phan....
28 May 2002
By Terry Mathews
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Right up front, I'll admit to being a true Parrothead. Have all the albums/CD's, but never read the books.
Then, a kind friend heard I was under the weather and sent me her copy of WHERE IS JOE MERCHANT.
I've read a lot of what's been posted here, and I can agree with the people *including some professional reviewers* who say Buffett's style is a little sloppy.
However, what he lacks in style, he certainly makes up for in substance.
I loved the stories about: (1)Frank Bama -- bruised and battered pilot with a commitment phobia; (2) Trevor Kane - Frank's beautiful ex-girlfriend whose family tree is so full of nuts that her last name should be PECAN or WALNUT or ALMOND. Trevor's looking for her lost brother, the supposedly dead rock 'n roller Joe Merchant; (3) Colonel Cairo who's looking for his lost arm, a treasure trove and control of Joe Merchant's fortunes; (4) Desdemona, macaroon-maker extraordinaire, who has been receiving instructions from 'the generators' on how to build a space ship; and (5) more subplots than a Robert Altman movie.
There's plenty of blood, guts and action to keep even a Steven King fan interested. One of Frank's best buddies blows up a fleet of jet skis, and while it's funny on the page, it makes the reader think about man's impact on the pristine ocean.
With Desdemona, Buffett even throws in some new age cosmic jokes, with hilarious results.
There is a twist, however, and it caught me completely by surprise. I had to go back and re-read the passage several times before it sunk in.
If you're looking for the tight, compact style of Hemingway or if you're into stream of consciousness like Faulkner, this book is probably not for you.
However, if you want a good story peopled with lots of interesting characters who are flawed but wonderfully written, and if you've ever wanted to just chuck it all and live in the Keys, you will probably devour WHERE IS JOE MERCHANT as quickly as I did and you'll be wanting more Frank and Trevor stories.
Enjoy!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Josh's Review on "Where is Joe Merchant?"
16 April 2004
By Josh
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
In my opinion, the book "Where is Joe Merchant" is a very interesting story about a rock star disappearing and the search to find the truth. I feel that Jimmy Buffett did an excelent job of creating his characters and thouroughly explaining their thoughts and actions. In all, I feel that "Where is Joe Merchant" was very well written and put together. I rate it 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun Plot & Wonderfully Bizarre Characters
8 Feb 2004
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I can honestly say that this book appealed to both the avid reader AND the avid Parrothead in me! This was interesting and entertaining, with a typically Jimmy Buffett exotic setting and some fascinating and bizarre characters. Characters such as Frank Bama, Trevor Kane, Blanton Meyercord (my personal favorite!), Rudy Breno, Charlie Fabian, Colonel Cairo and of course the amazing Desdemona all made this a hard-to-put-down story.
A special note for Parrotheads: Although this is a book for anyone who likes reading bizarre love & adventure stories, Parrotheads will especially appreciate the subtle (and even not-so-subtle) references to your favorite Buffett songs. Pay special attention to the names of the chapters! :->
Anyone who has always wondered about Desdemona while listening to "Fruitcakes" and "Desdemona's Building a Rocket ship" should definitely read this book - all the answers are here!
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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