The novel revolves around a brewing conflict between Thomas Skelton and Nichol Dance, who threatens to shoot Skelton if he encroaches on Key West's guiding business. Skelton's determination to proceed despite the danger sets the stage for an inevitable showdown, creating an atmosphere of suspense throughout the narrative. However, the novel's comedic undertone and the author's intrusive presence undermine the sense of inevitability the story initially promises.

Escalating Tensions

Midway through the tale, Nichol Dance confronts Thomas Skelton with a deadly promise: any attempt by Skelton to join the fishing guides in Key West will end with Dance pulling the trigger. Despite this threat, Skelton remains undeterred, pushing the plot towards a showdown that feels both unavoidable and simplistic. Dance is depicted as a volatile character, having already taken one life and nearly another, while Skelton's quiet perseverance adds to the story's tension. Their eventual clash feels preordained, emphasized by the simplicity of the narrative that focuses solely on their impending conflict.

Comic Undertones and Character Complexity

The novel's essence is comedic, lending a wry, sardonic tone to the story that prevents characters from fully developing into rounded, three-dimensional figures. Skelton is the most fleshed-out character, with his journey from youth to adulthood forming a central theme. Yet, both he and Dance remain trapped in a nihilistic, egocentric mindset, mirroring each other too closely for dramatic distinction. The author explores these similarities and contrasts extensively, but the effort can feel contrived, as shown in the passage highlighting their shared susceptibility to illusions.

The future cast a bright and luminous shadow over Thomas Skelton’s fragmented past; for Dance, it was the past that cast the shadow. Both men were equally prey to mirages. Thomas Skelton required a sense of mortality; and, ironically, it was Nichol Dance who was giving it to him; for Skelton understood perfectly well that there was a chance, however small, that Nichol Dance would kill him. This faint shadow lay upon his life now as discreetly as the shadow of cancer lies among cells.

Authorial Presence and Narrative Control

Despite the lack of inevitable tension, the novel is intelligent in its exploration of psychological conflict. However, the author's heavy-handed approach becomes a distraction, with the reader acutely aware of the narrative strings being pulled. This control is evident in the orchestrated confrontations, such as when Dance and Skelton venture into the Gulf together, searching for birds felled by a storm.

Dance said, “Look here, I know it wasn’t much of a joke.”“You’re right.”“Not that it excuses what you done.”“Yeah well.”“And you cannot guide. I gave my word.”“Well, I am going to guide.”“You are not.”

The narrative's fundamental theme becomes exaggerated, with the author's insistence on the central conflict feeling overly deliberate. This can lead to an undercurrent of doubt, questioning whether the story serves a higher purpose or merely aims to entertain. The author's humor, while effective, sometimes undermines the serious elements of the plot. An example is when Carter reacts to Dance's deadly declaration concerning Skelton.

“Nichol! I like him!” Carter bustled around the freezer, then pointlessly opened it, drawing out a block of ice that imprisoned myriad silver fish. He held it to the light and looked. “Shoot!”

Humor and Irony

The clever pun in Carter's response, "Shoot!", exemplifies the novel's humorous slant, subtly mocking the tension of the second half. The author skillfully crafts these moments, though they sometimes detract from the narrative’s gravitas. The reader is left in a complex dance of laughter and anticipation, with the humorous elements diluting the dramatic climax that looms ominously over the story.