Who in Hell Is Wanda Fuca?

A Leo Waterman Mystery

By: G. M. Ford

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

When an old gangster friend of Leo’s father makes a request he “can’t refuse”, Leo and his band of drunks delve into the world of environmental politics in search of Caroline Nobel - a spoiled brat without the sense God gave a gopher. With the help of “the Boys” - a group of aging winos who are his modern-day “Baker Street Irregulars” - Leo fights Native American tribal politics, industrial pollution, and psychotic grannies to fulfill his obligation to a friend.

©2012 G. M. Ford (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A page turner with some flaws

I enjoyed the book and it’s setting in Seattle. I would read it again.
One criticism would be the voice used for the Caroline character. The actor sounded like she was an older woman. Caroline was in her twenties in this story. A younger voice for Caroline would have enhanced the believability of the story.
The lawyer and the legal part of the story was excellent.

Competently written in the PI mold

Characterization is good. The plot is nicely integrated. The time period is the '90's and the spirit of the times is richly illustrated. I would only fault the PI trope that requires the female lead to be femme fatale and crazy and that the ultimate evil was telegraphed by being painted so obviously not.

Narrator makes it

The story is good, but the narrator makes the story. I am really enjoying this series already.

The beginning of a long string of great books by G. M.

I have read every book G. M. has written and listened to everyone of his Audibles multiple times. Leo Waterman and Frank Corso have been entertaining me for more than twenty five years. You won’t be disappointed.

Enjoyable PI fare

I've listened to a few of these, and so far they have all been enjoyable. In many ways it is your standard PI type novel. But it's funny, not 'gritty'. It will make you snicker. This is not slapstick, either. Just a funny, sarcastic, not overly complex PI book. The story was circuitous enough so as not to be overly obvious, but you don't have to pay close attention to follow it. If you want the Michael Bay equivalent of the PI novel, this is not for you. There was no nail biting, no non-stop action, no severe head scratching confusion. What you will get is amusement, mystery and a story line that should hold your interest. I liked it enough to pick up the second one.
The narrator was great. His voice matched my impression of Leo Waterman. His tone worked well with the overall feel of the book.

The first novel in the Leo Waterman mystery series

Seven of the 9 books in the series are available in audio format. I have nee listening to them in random order. This is the last one of those available, but it is the first one in order written. Offbeat Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman is the protagonist. This book is another excellent novel of the modern detective mystery genre. Thee narration is also excellent. I do recommend this novel and others in the Leo Waterman series.

G.M. Ford

G.M. Ford is my new favorite author!!!! Nailing the Crime Thrillers, got me hooked and wanting more!

love it!

I love this series! Started reading it years ago. Now listening to it. It's hilarious and serious at the same time. Very entertaining.

Extream profanity (the "F Word").

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

There is never an excuse for profanity in order to tell a good story. Agathy Christy; Arthur Conan Doyle; Elizabeth Peterts; Steven Saylor... and others, all wrote without that crutch! When I hear it; I stop listening.

Would you ever listen to anything by G. M. Ford again?

NO!