Hiaasen is a go-to author for me whenever I'm in the mood to liven things up with a lighthearted, humorous, and satirical adventure. This is my third encounter with Hiaasen's works. He is a reliable writer, although his style can be a bit formulaic at times. Most of his stories are set in Florida, which adds a unique flavor to the narratives.

In this particular book, the story unfolds in the aftermath of a hurricane, presenting a series of hilarious situations involving strange characters. There's conning, looting, and even wild animals running loose - it's all kinds of crazy. Hiaasen has a knack for creating a vivid and engaging world that keeps the reader entertained from start to finish.

Despite the formulaic elements, I still enjoy his writing because of the humor and the interesting characters he brings to life. Each story feels like a wild ride, and I'm always eager to see what crazy twists and turns he'll throw in next. If you're looking for a fun and entertaining read, I highly recommend giving Hiaasen a try.

This is the second, or perhaps even the third time that I have delved into this book. And yet, it remains just as uproariously hilarious as ever.

I must confess, I firmly believe that this plot might very well have the highest tally of outlandish revenge deaths within it. Hiaasen is unwavering in his determination to ensure that his eco-villains never escape scot-free. On occasion, I find myself posing the question to myself: Does my vicarious delight in witnessing their just deserts make me a touch warped? But then I promptly answer myself with a resounding "Nah."

Moreover, this book likely offers the most intimate perspective of Skink. There he is, deep within the swamps at his camp, engaging in the rather unconventional activity of skinny-dipping with alligators while smoking something curiously named "Toad." And despite all this, he still manages to possess a set of lovely teeth. It's truly a remarkable and entertaining read from start to finish.

I absolutely loved this book! It was truly captivating from start to finish. There were a couple of characters within the story that I found particularly fascinating and wished there was more about them. Fortunately, Carl Hiaasen, the talented author, wrote a separate book about one of those very characters. This added an extra layer of excitement for me. The plot was so engaging that I simply couldn't put the book down. I was constantly eager to turn the page and find out what would happen next. It was a literary adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read filled with interesting characters and a thrilling storyline.

Hiaasen is truly wonderful when it comes to uncovering the sick underbelly of Florida bureaucracy. This particular work is an old but excellent one. It dates back to the time when Hurricane Andrew struck Miami, bringing out all the scammy crooks who preys on the storm victims and often on one another. It is great to see more of Skink and remember that Florida once had an honest governor. However, he just ran away to the swamp because all the other politicians simply wanted to exploit the situation and make as much money as possible while completely ignoring the real environmental needs of Florida. The story unfolds a complex web of corruption and greed within the state's political and social fabric. Hiaasen's vivid descriptions and engaging characters make it a captivating read that not only entertains but also sheds light on the darker side of Florida's history and the challenges it faces in dealing with its bureaucracy and environmental issues.

On their honeymoon in Orlando, Max Lamb managed to persuade his bride Bonnie to encounter the hurricane that was billed as the "storm of the century". So, on the very day the hurricane struck, they made their way to Miami by car. Max had a specific intention in mind - he wanted to videotape the damage caused by the storm. He believed that by doing so, he could flaunt his filming talent to his colleagues at his advertising firm.

However, fate had other plans. A monkey that had escaped from an import farm stole the video recorder from Max and fled with it. In his eagerness to retrieve the recorder, Max completely forgot about his wife and chased after the monkey. Unfortunately, Max was then abducted by Clinton Tyrell, also known as Skink. Skink tied Max up because he was videotaping and desecrating the habitat. According to Skink, hurricanes are a holy thing and should not be treated as mere amusement.

Meanwhile, Bonnie is seeking her husband's whereabouts with the assistance of a stranger. Coincidentally, this stranger is attempting to locate the animals that escaped from his uncle's import business. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, Bonnie is thoroughly enjoying this unexpected adventure.

Another insane crime novel, in a sense, is set entirely during a hurricane in southern Florida, specifically in Miami and the Keys.

Here, a couple on their honeymoon, a couple engaged in an insurance scam, some corrupt housing inspectors, the heir to an exotic animal farm, and the Skink all come together.

A small portion of one paragraph gives a taste: “Max Lamb was unnerved by the wall of grinning skulls, but said nothing as he made his way down the hall to the shower. Augustine got on the telephone to sort out what had happened with his dead uncle’s Cape buffalo. Bonnie fixed a pot of coffee and took it to the guest room, where the governor was recovering from the animal dart.”

The story is filled with lots of violence and yet is also a great deal of fun. As always, it offers great escapist reading that can make you laugh out loud. It takes you into a wild and crazy world where the most unexpected characters and events collide, providing an entertaining and thrilling experience for the reader.

Whether you're looking to escape the reality of a hurricane or just enjoy a good crime novel with a unique setting, this book is sure to deliver.

Absolutely wonderful!

This book was an absolute delight to read. I burned through it in no time at all, completely engrossed in the story and the characters. Hiaasen has a unique writing style that is both engaging and entertaining. The plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I can't wait to read plenty more of his work. I'm sure that each book will be just as精彩 as this one. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or thriller. It's definitely one that you won't want to miss!

Stormy Weather is yet another captivating book by Carl Hiaasen that showcases the character of Kink, the former Governor of Florida.

Skink, a unique and eccentric figure, resides in the remaining wild areas of Florida and sustains himself primarily on roadkill.

Although this book was penned in 1995, it still presents several very relevant and current themes.

The poorly constructed houses suffered extensive damage during the storm, to the point of being beyond repair.

Blame can be attributed to the unscrupulous builders, negligent building inspectors, and unethical salespeople.

Among the unfortunate victims of the hurricane were two dachshunds named Donald and Marla, and an advertising account executive who had only read one book in his entire life, namely The Art of the Deal.

In addition, there is an abduction plot within this story, which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, constantly wondering who abducted whom as the narrative unfolds.

Overall, Stormy Weather is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that combines elements of mystery, humor, and social commentary.

3.75, not quite a 4.

Once again, the absurdity of the character Skink managed to hold my interest and make me laugh out loud. His antics and unique personality are truly one-of-a-kind.

The only factor that prevented me from giving it a full 4 was that the story topic, while engaging, didn't capture my attention to the same extent as some of Hiaasen's other works.

Nevertheless, I have to admit that I really enjoy Hiaasen's writing style. His vivid descriptions of characters and settings bring the story to life in a way that few authors can.

I can't wait to see what adventures Skink will embark on in the next installment. Bring on Skink #3! I'm sure it will be another wild ride.

This book truly brought to my mind an old movie, The Heartbreak Kid.

I know there was a remake, but in my opinion, the original was far superior.

As I witnessed the relationship of the newlyweds gradually dissolve, it was a rather disheartening sight.

However, I found myself wholeheartedly routing for Bonnie and Augustine.

Skink was once again a source of entertainment, and I was really glad to see that Bonnie had such trust in him.

The addition of the monkeys was a nice and unexpected touch, adding a bit of charm and playfulness to the story.

Moreover, the karma that the hurricane scammers reaped was quite satisfying.

It served as a reminder that actions have consequences, and in this case, it was a fitting end for those who tried to take advantage of others during a difficult time.

Overall, this book had many elements that kept me engaged and interested from start to finish.

I purchased this at one of the finest used bookstores I have visited in a long while. And it was in Kalispell, Montana of all places.

It is a delightful story, completely outdated with references like CD players and expensive video cameras. However, it is filled with those crazy Florida characters that make Hiaasen's books such a great time to read.

I am truly amazed that he doesn't have a Netflix show yet. Given the popularity and charm of his stories, it seems like a natural fit for the streaming platform.

Perhaps it's only a matter of time before someone recognizes the potential and brings his unique brand of humor and adventure to a wider audience through a Netflix adaptation.

I, for one, would be eagerly anticipating such a show, as I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can only imagine how entertaining it would be on the small screen.

A laugh-out-loud funny take on scammers in Florida after a massive hurricane, perhaps Hurricane Andrew.

The story presents a collection of quirky characters who, despite their rather odd behavior, possess an underlying charm and humanity that makes their oddities truly endearing.

One can't help but be entertained by the antics of these individuals as they navigate the post-hurricane chaos.

Thankfully, the appearance of monkeys was limited, which was a relief.

The author's humorous portrayal of the scammers and the situation in Florida adds a lighthearted touch to what could otherwise be a serious and tragic event.

It's a unique and enjoyable read that will have you laughing out loud while also giving you a glimpse into the strange and wonderful world of post-hurricane Florida.