Author: Shaun Morey

 

 Performed by Luke Daniels

 

 Released: November 2012 by Brilliance Audio

 

 Category: Crime/Thriller

 

 

 

The Wahoo Rhapsody is a fishing charter boat which sails of the coast of Mexico and Southern California and has been bought by Atticus Fish for his good friend, Captain Winston. Fish was an eminent lawyer who won the highest lawsuit ever…against God! He ‘disappeared’ down to Southern California to escape the religious fanatics who were out to kill him and is now an expatriate, mega rich and taking life easy on his own island running a Cantina….or so he thinks.

 

The boat is being used to smuggle drugs, inside the tuna no less, without the knowledge of the captain. The first mate, appropriately named Weevil, decides to snag some of the booty for himself and starts a whole chain of events that unfold at a cracking pace.

 

So, we have a drug lord and his henchmen, a shady lawyer, an arsonist, lots about fishing and an intriguing plot. Action and adventure abound with some loud out loud moments due in no small part to the ‘voice’ given to Weevil. It’s a crazy and quirky ride.

 

 

 

 

 

There’s lots more chaos and confusion down in Baja after an architect, Duncan Rigby or Digby as he likes to be called, finds Jesuit treasure which had been buried by priests centuries ago.

 

It doesn’t take long before word of the treasure is everywhere and there are more treasure hunters than you can shake a stick at.  Atticus, along with his best friend Skegs and his ex sister-in-law Toozie, who a private investigator, are caught up in kidnapping and murder.

 

The plot moves along at full tilt and is action packed.  Some new characters are introduced and some old ones reappear, they’re all entertaining and colourful with boatloads of attitude.

 

 

 

 

 

Several rare pearls, one huge and strangely shaped are found by an old fisherman who can’t believe his luck. He’s caught in a tsunami before he can get home and loses the pearls.

 

Cue the bad guys..three ‘fighters’ appear and cause trouble.  Atticus subdues them with the help of a centuries old cactus they were trying to beat to a pulp.  The second encounter sees them in a shark cage being dunked in the sea. They team up with an opportunistic thief and take drastic revenge on Atticus for their humiliation.

 

Meanwhile the pearls have been found by a couple on holiday who enlist Atticus’ help to have them appraised.  Atticus remembers about the old oyster beds and the legend that surrounds them and determines to stop the pearls being harvested and protect the area.

 

So starts another madcap and thrilling adventure with everyone chasing each other and the pearls and when Skegs is taken hostage by a dive shop owner trying to get in on the action Toozie hot-foots it down to Baja.

 

Performance

 

Luke Daniels lets loose with an impressive array of voices and brings the characters and story vividly to life. Amazing performance.

 

Thoughts

 

I enjoyed these engaging stories very much, the writing, the characters, the humour and the craziness. Also the beautifully vivid descriptions of the area and the wildlife.  Very easy to be drawn in and invest in the characters and the place.

 

The books could be read/listened to as stand alones but it’s much more fun (for me anyway) to follow the story from the beginning.

 

There was talk at the beginning of the story about Atticus’ daughter but this snippet wasn’t developed and Atticus and Toozie still haven’t got it together so maybe…..another book? I hope so.

 

Strap on the life vest because we're going fishing! Morey puts the spin in detective mystery with colorful characters, fast-paced action, strange banter and a dollop of humor. This treasure hunting comedy/mystery flies across the page taking you through a cast of characters so entangled that it's bound to end with only a few left standing. Morey's story hinges on the bizarro, but with enough mainstream crime mystery dashed with real events, in this case the mystery of the Jesuit treasure, to ground them, which will broaden the appeal to a wider readership. Even though the convenient store cast of characters are far from cookie cutter, Morey does it without unnecessary raunchy language, explicit crudeness or ridiculous sexism. This is why Morey's stories appeal to me when compared to other authors who write in a similar genre. It just proves writing can be bizarre, humorous and down-right weird without crossing lines that will alienate an audience. Atticus Fish stories are a cross-over between Christopher Moore and Austin Powers without too much nasty. If you're ready for mule-riding expatriates, a germophobe strip club owner and a fumbling hit man that gets his ears chewed off, then this is the read for you! Park yourself in a lounger, slap on some sunscreen and soak up the crazy.

This is more than a fun beach read. However, I do highly recommend taking it with you on vacation this summer. Wahoo Rhapsody is a hilarious and intelligent absurdist adventure that is larger than any fish tale you've heard so far. It's the kind of book that will give you pointers on how to sue God and win. From the gut-splitting and brutally honest depiction of Cabo San Lucas (timeshare barkers included) to the chlorinated attraction in San Diego, Morey will have you chasing the characters while with each step connecting their six degrees of separation. The ending is a surprise and although it is right in front of you, the reader won't likely get a undo spoiler (unless you cheat) and read the ending first. Morey takes a pile of stereotypes and turns a tale so outrageous that it becomes insanely original. When do characters stop being cliche? When a writer knows just how to use them to their advantage, and Morey clear does! But wait...I just said Morey makes great use of stereotypes, and he does with one tiny exception. It's not truly a flaw, in fact it plays into the absurdity littered throughout the story. I'd call it a mild irritant. The majority of females are stumbling, bumbling drunks who are looking for a good time and throw themselves at the first man whore they target. It's the ultimate exaggeration of the perception that women on vacation are easy with low standards. It's hard to argue with when this behavior can be viewed in mass at any southern vacation hot spot and resort. I get it, but the female stereotype was pushed forward with little concern whereas the other (male) stereotypical characters are provided greater background and development. I can't really say 'depth' because most are shallow.