I have a great affection for a good Carl Hiaasen book. Alas, this particular one did not meet that standard. It begins with a strong start, drawing the reader into the story in the aftermath of a hurricane. The cast of characters balloons quickly, but then just as rapidly gets thinned down through a series of gruesome endings. For the most part, these endings lack irony, fittingness, or humor. As the cast dwindles, so does the plot. The story revolves around Bonnie and Max Lamb, the mismatched newlywed couple; Augustine, the good guy skull juggler; Edie, the con-woman seeking the next job; and Snapper, the all-around bad guy.

This story features Skink & Jim, which is usually a positive aspect. For a prime example, one can read "Double Whammy" by Carl Hiaasen. However, this time Skink comes across as more sad and pathetic, rather than the typical renegade-recluse with a heart of gold. Skink's character is overly preoccupied with "why things used to be" and "it would be better if we drive out all the tourists." A little of this sentiment goes a long way, and most of Hiaasen's readers are already aware of his views on the big mouse. If I were to rank all of Hiaasen's books, this one would be second from the bottom, just above "Strip Tease," which was both a bad book and an even worse movie.

I award this book 3 stars because, when it comes to summer beach reads, one could do a lot worse.

When I initially joined GR, I made a mistake. I thought I had read this book and awarded it four stars. However, I was incorrect, and I realized this when I happened to come across the book at the Lifeline Bookfair in Canberra. Now that I have actually read the novel, I have upgraded it to five stars.

Carl Hiassen has never failed to disappoint me. His works always manage to capture my attention and keep me engaged from start to finish. This particular book is truly my kind of read. It features zany characters that are so vividly portrayed that you can't help but either love or hate them, and yet, you still understand their motives. The plot is not only funny but also intricately woven, much like a fine basket. It has an underlying message that is not overly forceful, allowing you to choose whether or not to see it.

When you read a Carl Hiassen novel, you just know that the really bad guys will eventually get what they deserve. This gives us a great sense of satisfaction, on top of all the laughs we've had along the way. His books are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, making them a joy to read.

I found myself laughing out loud (LOL) an excessive number of times while reading this story. It truly is a great one!

The narrative unfolds in a way that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, and their actions and dialogues are both entertaining and relatable.

The author has a unique ability to create a vivid world within the pages of this story, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves and become a part of the adventure.

Whether it's the humorous situations, the clever twists, or the heartwarming moments, there is something in this story for everyone. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a captivating tale.

I highly recommend this story to all my friends and fellow book lovers. You won't be disappointed!

In STORMY WEATHER, Hiaasen presents a satirical take on the events that unfold after a Florida hurricane.

The story delves into the shoddy construction that preceded the storm, highlighting the payoffs that led to such poor quality. It also showcases the greedy behavior of would-be construction workers and roofers who attempt to capitalize on the devastation. Additionally, it exposes the schemes devised to defraud insurance companies in the aftermath of the storm.

As is typical of Hiaasen's works, the story features a cast of extremely demented characters. There's a beautiful young woman who travels to Florida with the intention of seducing one of the Kennedys but instead teams up with an ex-con named Snapper to swindle a homeowner affected by the hurricane. Snapper earns his name due to his shocking appearance, which includes a dislocated jaw.

Other characters include Avila, a building inspector who fails to properly inspect the houses and trailers that are destroyed during the storm and even resorts to performing blood sacrifices. There's also a young newlywed couple who were honeymooning at Disneyworld but whose husband decides to rush south to document the devastation on video after the storm. And let's not forget the man who owns a wild animal preserve and has a collection of skulls that he enjoys juggling.

Of course, no Hiaasen story would be complete without Skink, the ex-governor of Florida who lives in the wilderness. Skink hopes for a more devastating hurricane and is not pleased with the young husband's video-taking. Skink is a recurring character in several of Hiaasen's works and is a personal favorite of mine.

Carl Hiaasen has been one of my favorite authors for the past couple of decades. I've always relished his humorous adventures in South Florida and the eccentric cast of characters that inhabit his stories. STORMY WEATHER was yet another enjoyable read, but unfortunately, after finishing this one, I only have a couple of his adult novels left. Maybe I'll hold off on reading them for a while to have something to anticipate.

My first encounter with Carl Hiaasen's work, and it has been a truly enjoyable one. It's quite hilarious, provided you don't overly analyze the deeper reasons behind your laughter. The book delves into the aftermath of a devastating hurricane in Florida, which left approximately 150,000 homes in ruins and caused significant loss of life and property. In reality, it's a major tragedy, but perhaps "everything is funny as long as it happens to somebody else."

While reading Stormy Weather, the first reference that sprang to mind was the movie "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World." I even checked on IMDb to see if the author might have been credited for the script, but no such luck; the movie dates back to 1963. However, when it comes to human nature in the face of greed, not much has changed.

The actual hurricane is addressed within the first two chapters of the text, and it mostly occurs offstage. The focus of the story lies in what transpires after the disaster strikes. One might think it would be the perfect moment to give thanks to one's chosen deity for being alive and roll up one's sleeves to assist the less fortunate. But for some individuals, this is an opportunity not to be missed, and an unsavory crowd descends upon the scene, eyeing quick profits and gullible customers:

low-life hustlers, slick-talking scammers, cold-blooded opportunists, not to mention pure gangsters and thugs

The merit of Carl Hiaasen lies in balancing these distasteful characters with a few good men and women, providing the book with a welcome counterpoint that redeems a shaken faith in humanity. I also suspect that, aside from a great sense of comedic timing, the author is a firm believer in Karma, as in payback is sweet and crime doesn't pay. I actually cheered every time one of the scoundrels got their comeuppance.

By far, my favorite character is Captain Skink - the toad-smoking eco-warrior who views tourists as the ultimate pests in any given location, has a great penchant for cooking roadkill, quotes from Henry Miller, and has renounced civilization to live among the alligators and snakes of the Everglades. I wonder if he appears in other books by the author (edit: I checked, and he does). I guess I have to explore more of his works. Among the bad guys, I actually liked the golddigger who is on the prowl for one of the Kennedy boys and who never abandons hope for a lucrative scam.

The book is not without its flaws. It lacks a genuine mystery and a coherent storyline. A significant portion of the book feels like a series of anecdotes loosely strung together. To bring the numerous characters into contact with one another, there are an abundance of fortuitous coincidences, so many that it gives the plot a staged or scripted feel. However, I'm willing to overlook many of these shortcomings due to the sheer amount of hilarious mayhem that unfolds within its pages.

Stormy Weather adheres to Carl Hiaasen's typical formula, featuring his regular cast of characters. There is the bewildered female victim who is saved by the "crazy" recluse and the caring law-enforcement hero. The story, as is customary, unfolds in the Florida Everglades and includes the author's requisite dose of environmental "preachiness."

If Hiaasen's books are so predictable, one might wonder why I have such a penchant for reading them. The answer lies in the fact that he is an incredibly astute writer with a dark and warped sense of humor that I thoroughly relish. His stories progress at the ideal pace, laced with the appropriate amount of satire and sarcasm, and populated by incredibly unique characters that either pique your interest and make you want to get to know them better or are so despicable that you love to hate them.

My favorite quote from this is about insurance companies in the aftermath of a hurricane:

"The radio said State Farm and Allstate are writing settlements already. Midwest won't be far behind--see, no company wants to look stingy in a national disaster."

This quote provides a fascinating glimpse into the mindset of insurance companies during a crisis. In 1995, it seems that there was a certain sense of competition among them to appear generous and not be seen as stingy in the face of a national disaster.

State Farm and Allstate were already taking action by writing settlements, and it was expected that Midwest would follow suit soon. This shows that even in difficult times, companies were aware of the importance of their public image.

Ah, 1995. What a different time you were. The world has changed so much since then, and perhaps the way insurance companies operate and respond to disasters has also evolved.

Nonetheless, this quote serves as a reminder of how things were back then and how companies were influenced by the desire to maintain a positive reputation.

For a refreshing break from the often somber world of literature, I can unfailingly rely on Hiaasen to present a delightfully humorous page-turner. It is a guilty pleasure filled with wacky characters and their charmingly flawed motives.

It offers truly great entertainment, serving as a good-natured satire that playfully pokes fun at the various foibles of humanity.

This particular work is also a timely read, coming just weeks after Hurricane Irma. Hiaasen has masterfully captured the essence of the hucksters, swindlers, looters, and opportunists who seem to descend like vultures to profit from the misfortunes of others.

His vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling make it a captivating and thought-provoking read that not only entertains but also makes us reflect on the less savory aspects of human nature.

It is a literary gem that combines humor and social commentary in a seamless and enjoyable way.

This book is probably the lowest ranked among the haaisen books that I have read.

It's not a book that I would recommend to everyone. However, I still managed to enjoy it to some extent.

The story has a lot of moving pieces, which can make it a bit complex and perhaps even a little crude at times.

But despite these flaws, it always reaches a satisfying conclusion.

The ending ties up the loose ends and gives a sense of closure, which is something that I appreciate in a book.

Overall, while it may not be a masterpiece, it's still a decent read that I would recommend to those who are looking for something a little different.

Usually, I commence reviews by providing a concise plot summary. However, in this case, I'm not even certain how to encapsulate this one. The story is set in the immediate aftermath of a powerful hurricane that has struck Florida hard - that part is straightforward enough. Against this backdrop, Hiaasen weaves a tale that could only occur within one of his novels. With the normal social boundaries obliterated by the storm, Florida transforms into a land of chaos, and Hiaasen's characters disclose very interesting facets of human nature.

Upon an initial reading, this book might seem to be nothing more than light entertainment. The plot and characters are eccentric enough to conceal any deeper meaning within the text. Certainly, it is possible to read the book solely for amusement and a crazy romp through the Florida wilderness. But the true depth of the text lies in Hiaasen's sharp wit and dark humor, as well as his somewhat satirical portrayal of characters who bear an odd resemblance to certain rather prominent social and political figures in real life. His satire and social commentary hit the mark precisely, offering an amusing yet thought-provoking perspective on people and their tendencies.

From what I have read, the plot and characters follow a fairly formulaic pattern for Hiaasen. Nevertheless, it's a fun story, and Hiaasen is definitely worth a try for those who haven't delved into his novels before.

Why no one has made a movie out of any of Carl Hiaasen's hilarious novels remains a mystery to me.

His writing is incredibly cinematic. As you turn each page, you can vividly visualize the plot unfolding on a movie or TV screen.

This particular volume revolves around a hurricane that strikes South Florida and its subsequent aftermath. It is populated by Hiaasen's typical cast of Florida misfits and oddball characters.

There's a honeymoon couple from New York who are eager to witness what a hurricane is like. There's also a sexy con artist who finds herself embroiled in far more than she anticipated.

A slimy trailer salesman meets his fate at the hands of the son of a woman who was killed in one of the state's shoddy trailer courts.

A law school drop-out is attempting to track down the escaped animals from his uncle's exotic wild animal park. And, of course, there's our favorite ex-governor who lives in the swamps and only emerges to dispense justice against those who continuously ravage Florida's fragile ecosystem.

There's no use in attempting to summarize the hilariously convoluted plot. Just relax and enjoy a ripping yarn filled with plenty of laughs.

If the Writer Fairy, donning sparkly chinos, a tube top, a ruby tiara, and plaid sneakers, bopped her way merrily into my bedroom and posed the question, "Who d'ya wanna write like?" I would find myself in a state of vacillation between Reginald Hill and Carl Hiaasen. However, before she could bonk me with that enchanting ruby magic wand, I would most likely settle on Hiaasen. One might wonder why, given that he is often accused of being formulaic. Well, the answer is simple: his formulae never fail to make me laugh. His prose is as crisp as a fresh autumn breeze and as funny as a well-timed joke. His characters are a strange and spooky bunch, yet they are also incredibly funny. And those plot twists of his? They are improbable to the point of absurdity, but that's what makes them so darn funny. I am truly grateful for the laughter that his books bring, even though what I find funny is entirely subjective. So, you may not share my love for his works. But as for me, I absolutely adore this book. I have a special place in my heart for Skink, although I have no desire to be anywhere near him. I cheer for his sense of justice, his defiant middle finger salute to the destroyers of Nature, his contempt for the modern uglifiers of landscapes, and his violent reactions to con artists. And I will continue to love him from a safe distance. So, any time you're ready, WF, feel free to swing that ruby wand in my direction.

I can't wait to see what magical writing powers it bestows upon me. Maybe I'll be able to create characters as memorable and plots as hilarious as Hiaasen's. One can only hope.