Doc Ford Mystery: Book 28
Publication Date: August 26, 2025
From New York Times bestselling author Randy Wayne White, the latest thriller following Doc Ford and his perilous journey into Mesoamerica after a world-shattering earthquake threatens his squad’s safety—and all of their lives
In the wake of a killer hurricane, Doc Ford’s best friend, Tomlinson, insists that he died when his beloved sailboat hit a reef off the Mosquito Coast of Honduras. He now lives to tell the tale, but only because he was brought back to life—temporarily—by a runaway orphan who is the direct descendent of the last king of the ancient Mayan people.
Corrupt politicians want the child out of the picture before he catalyzes a revolution among the Indigenous population. But the boy, a charismatic twelve-year-old, has gone underground with the help of Tomlinson and a network of street urchins. They’re all on the run and in the crosshairs when Ford arrives and picks up his friend’s trail. This is not his first trip to the most dangerous country in Mesoamerica, and no one is better equipped to deal with flesh traffickers, paramilitary killers, an archaeologist addicted to sex and a homicidal giant known locally as Iron Baby.
Their spiritual home on Sanibel Island, Dinkin’s Bay Marina, has already suffered the death of one key member, and Ford is determined not to burden that quirky little family with yet another funeral wake. What no one is prepared for, however, is a cataclysmic earthquake that hits the area with the impact of a meteor that nearly destroyed all life on earth more than sixty million years ago.
The latest adventure in the Doc Ford series takes readers into the Honduran jungle as he tries to locate his friend.
Tomlinson’s Wake marks the 17th installment in the series by author Randy Wayne White. While the writing style is representative of a highly skilled wordsmith, the crime adventure theme may take a bit of adjustment.
Character development provides the central draw for this installment. Although technically written as a standalone, true fans will want to start at the beginning. Doc Ford once again brings the voice of reason to an obviously disoriented Tomlinson.
With his trademark flair, the author weaves in plenty of adventure, including a jungle shaman, an orphan boy, a pickleball-playing female neurologist, and a set of Russian thugs. Although this isn’t quite the type of book I would typically read, it will absolutely impress fans of the series.
Tomlinson’s Wake takes readers on a hair-raising adventure as Doc Ford tries to rescue his friend.
Randy Wayne White is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Doc Ford series. In 2011, White was named a Florida Literary Legend by the Florida Heritage Society. A fishing and nature enthusiast, he has also written extensively for National Geographic Adventure, Men’s Journal, Playboy and Men’s Health. He lives on Sanibel Island, Florida, where he was a light-tackle fishing guide for many years, and spends much of his free time windsurfing, playing baseball and hanging out at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. Sharks Incorporated is his middle grade series, including Fins and Stingers.
