Laurence Shames has attracted enthusiastic fans with his Key West novels, which include Florida Straits, Mangrove Squeeze, Scavenger Reef, and Sunburn. Each of these books is a hilarious mixture of zany crimes and offbeat characters. Welcome to Paradise is his best yet. When Al Marracotta, Mafia boss, takes a week's vacation in Key West, he looks forward to days of sun, sex, and seafood. Alan Tuschman, New Jersey furniture salesman, is a reluctant tourist. He has won a week in Key West for his sales record. But they have something in common: vanity license plates that read BIG AL. So when two goons are sent to ruin Big Al's vacation, it's not long before they target the wrong guy. Between the frustrated henchmen and the baffled Als, each chapter grows loonier than the last. And with the addition of a romantic wild card, the winsome Katy Sansone, the tough guys' schemes are tempered by more tender scenes. Narrator Ron McLarty's fine performance keeps the action moving at a brisk clip.
Download and start listening now!
"Laurence Shames hits another outta the park. All his books are humorous and smartly written and always lead to bliss. I heard of him through Spider Robinson and never looked back. This book pokes serious fun at how the State of Florida is not only full of retired folks, Disney crazed families and other vacationers, but also a few folks who care to save the State from chaos and ruin and condos. Highly recommended! " — Timbob (5 out of 5 stars)
"Laurence Shames hits another outta the park. All his books are humorous and smartly written and always lead to bliss. I heard of him through Spider Robinson and never looked back. This book pokes serious fun at how the State of Florida is not only full of retired folks, Disney crazed families and other vacationers, but also a few folks who care to save the State from chaos and ruin and condos. Highly recommended! "
" WHEN A FURNITURE SALESMAN WITH A SHIT ZSU IS MISTAKEN FOR A MINOR MOB BOSS WITH A ROTWEILER THINGS GET A LITTLE OUT OF HAND. I WOULD COMPARE THIS TO A DECENT "B" MOVIE. IT WAS AN EASY READ. "
" Shames knows how to make mobsters laughable. Just don't tell any of them I said that. "
" Two "Big Al's" are one too many. Shames is great, funny, and Key West. "
Laurence Shames has been a New York City taxi driver, lounge singer, furniture mover, lifeguard, dishwasher, gym teacher, and shoe salesman. Having failed to distinguish himself in any of those professions, he turned to writing full time in 1976 and has not done an honest day’s work since. He has published twenty books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. Best known for his critically acclaimed series of Key West novels, he has also authored nonfiction and enjoyed considerable, though largely secret, success as a collaborator and ghostwriter: He has penned four New York Times bestsellers. These have appeared on four different lists, under four different names, none of them his own. This might be a record.
Ron McLarty is a veteran actor of television, film, and stage as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He has more than 100 television appearances to his credit, including as a series regular on Spencer for Hire and Law & Order. His film career began in 1977 with a performance in The Sentinel and continued with such films as The Postman, Flamingo Kid, and, most recently, How Do You Know? His stage credits include Broadway and other productions. He has narrated more than 100 audiobooks, earning nine Earphones Awards and recognition by AudioFile magazine as a Best Voice in Mystery & Suspense in 2009 and 2010. He has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Awards and then won the award in 2001 for Best Mystery Narration. He is also an accomplished playwright and an acclaimed novelist.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.