I truly had a great affection for this particular book. I have perused several other works penned by this author, and while I did find enjoyment in them, this one stands out as my absolute favorite thus far. The character of Mick Stranahan is simply captivating, and the other characters are equally amusing. It presents a fun and fast-paced mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I can't help but feel a tinge of regret that it sat untouched on my bookshelf for such a long time. It was truly a hidden gem that I'm glad I finally discovered. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with engaging characters and a thrilling plot.

Tourist Season and Double Whammy were truly outstanding reads. They boasted captivating plots that kept the readers on the edge of their seats, interesting characters who came alive on the pages, and a unique brand of humor that added a special charm. However, Skin Tight, Hiaasen's third solo work, seems to be a step backward in several aspects.

The book does have its positives. Hiaasen's writing style is a lot cleaner in this installment. It is his most readable book to date, with a brisk pace that keeps the story flowing smoothly. There is also a greater amount of dialogue and action compared to his previous two novels, which adds to the overall excitement.

Unfortunately, the negatives overshadow the positives and make what could have been an enjoyable read into a rather unappealing one. Mick Stranahan, the main character, is supposed to be a Travis McGee type, but his character development falls flat. I initially liked his strongman personality, but it fails to evolve, and I was not fully convinced by him. Moreover, the plethora of characters in Skin Tight are mostly rather dull, which further detracts from the reading experience.

The humor in the book is fine, and some of the situations did make me chuckle. However, there is something missing, something that I refer to as "glue." By glue, I mean engaging characters and a compelling story. I simply did not care for the revenge plot or the plastic surgery theme that the book is centered around. Hiaasen is exploring some aspects of Florida in the '80s, but this is the kind of story that Tim Dorsey could have made infinitely more interesting and engaging.

Skin Tight reads more like a dime store thriller than a competent and captivating Florida crime novel. Despite the good writing, the amateurish quality of the story prevents me from fully endorsing this novel. It is probably Hiaasen's most accessible book, but it lacks soul and depth. I sincerely hope that his future works will recapture the magic that made his first two novels so great and avoid taking the dime-a-dozen approach.

I had been indulging in a significant amount of crime fiction lately. I was constantly on the lookout for something new and exciting within this genre. One day, I came across a particular book. I read the synopsis on the back of it, and it seemed quite promising. The story was described as being bizarre, with over the top characters. It all sounded like good stuff, didn't it?

However, the reality was quite different. The problem was that the writing was truly awful. On numerous occasions, I had to re-read entire paragraphs just to try and figure out what the author was attempting to describe. This issue was most prominent during the action scenes. I'm certain that the author had a clear and interesting idea in his head, but for some reason, he just could not effectively transfer that vision onto the paper.

In conclusion, this could have been a really fun and engaging story had it been written by a more skilled and capable writer. As it stands, the poor writing detracts significantly from what could have been a great read.

I make it an absolute point to revisit Hiaasen whenever I find myself in need of a good and hearty dose of some truly riotous, side-splitting, and witty satire. It's always a surefire guarantee that I will be laughing until it physically hurts, and then some! There's just something about Hiaasen's writing that has this magical ability to tickle my funny bone and keep me entertained from start to finish. His characters are so vivid and his storylines so absurdly hilarious that I can't help but get completely drawn in. Thank God for Carl Hiaasen and his wonderful gift of making us all laugh through his brilliant works of satire!

Carl Hiaasen has once again delivered a wild and hilarious page-turner.

This latest offering from the talented author is truly one of the best I've read so far.

The story is filled with Hiaasen's trademark wit, humor, and engaging characters that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

His unique writing style and ability to create vivid and memorable scenes make this book a must-read for any fan of the genre.

Whether you're looking for a lighthearted escape or a thought-provoking adventure, this book has it all.

I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a great story.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy today and get ready to be entertained!

This is a very entertaining book, and the narrator is excellent.

The story is interesting, as long as you don't attempt to take it too seriously, and it is also humorous. I really like Carl Hiaasen's sense of humor. It is quite similar to that of Dave Barry, a coworker from the Miami Herald, but perhaps a bit more refined. They have collaborated on things in the past, and I can envision that it must have been extremely funny.

He mainly pokes fun at Miami, which is an easy target. In this story, Geraldo is also included. Some of the actions are rather outrageous, but they are a lot of fun. The criminals are mostly complete idiots, so there is never much suspense regarding something bad happening to anyone who matters. I know it may seem cold, but they mostly deserve it. Mick Stranahan always appears to be more or less on top of everything that occurs. You can't always predict what a complete idiot will do, but he still manages to come out on top.

Overall, this book is a great read that combines humor and an engaging story to keep you entertained from start to finish.

Someone is attempting to take the life of a retired detective. This retired detective now finds himself in a rather precarious situation, having to face a series of hilarious and extremely complicated challenges just to stay alive. The circumstances are both absurd and dangerous, creating a unique and thrilling narrative. The retired detective, once a master of solving crimes, now has to use all his wits and experience to outwit his would-be assassin. As he navigates through this web of chaos, one can't help but be entertained by the comical yet intense situations he encounters. Each challenge seems to push him to his limits, but he refuses to give up. Will he be able to overcome these obstacles and emerge victorious? Only time will tell in this exciting tale of survival and adventure. - Karen S.

Fast and funny, Hiaasen's Florida is both disturbingly and believably corrupt.

Hiaasen's portrayal of Florida in his works is truly captivating. The state comes alive with a unique blend of speed and humor. However, beneath the surface lies a disturbing level of corruption that is presented in a way that feels all too real. The characters and their actions add to the believability of this corrupt world. Whether it's the politicians, the businessmen, or the various other individuals, they all contribute to the web of corruption that Hiaasen weaves. It's a fascinating and often shocking look at a place that is both beautiful and flawed. Through his writing, Hiaasen manages to make us laugh while also making us think about the darker side of society. His Florida is a place that we can't help but be drawn to, despite its many faults.

Oh my goodness!

How could it be that I have never read Hiaason before?

I found myself completely engrossed in every single page of this work.

It was as if it was a lighter, more enjoyable version of Willeford.

The writing style was so engaging, drawing me in from the very beginning and keeping my attention until the very end.

The characters were vivid and full of life, and the story was filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I can't wait to explore more of Hiaason's books and see what other wonderful stories he has to offer.

This has truly been a delightful discovery, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

A 7-foot tall, albino assassin who wields a weed-whacker as his prosthetic hand? This has to be either a really bad trip or I've once again found myself in Carl Hiaasen's South Florida.

Here we are, surrounded by all kinds of strange and unsavory characters. There are the weirdos, the scammers, the corrupt politicians, the crooked cops, and so many others.

Former lawman Mick Stranahan, a flawed yet good guy, has a noble mission. He wants to bring a murderous quack plastic surgeon to justice and set the world right.

As he pursues his man, we are treated to a sideshow of Mick's truly bizarre friends, conspirators, and enemies.

This is good, page-turning detective fiction at its best. It keeps you guessing at every turn and also has you laughing out loud.

It's a wild ride through a crazy world that only Carl Hiaasen could create.

I'm fairly certain that I've perused this particular piece before, yet somehow managed to overlook logging it. This is an extremely uncommon occurrence for me. However, it was indeed worthwhile to give it a reread.

The eccentricity of South Florida offers a plethora of opportunities for captivating storylines. Carl Hiaasen, a true maestro in this regard, expertly sets his tales within this unique backdrop. There is a certain recurrence of themes in his work, yet it always proves to be an enjoyable journey.

Mick Stranahan is relishing his involuntary retirement from the State's Attorney's office. He leads a simple life in the rural bywaters off Miami. But his tranquility is shattered when an unwelcome visitor, a hitman from up north, suddenly appears one day with the intention of killing him. Mick, however, dispatches him in a rather unique manner, thus initiating a truly outlandish adventure.

Rudy Graveline, a well-known yet utterly incompetent plastic surgeon, capitalizes on his patients' vanity and then farms out the cases to his staff who actually possess the necessary skills. However, a few years ago, a mistake occurred. Being the rather intrepid soul that he is, Rudy panicked and covered it up.

Now, the case is resurfacing. The story features a Geraldo-like shock TV personality, a competent and charming producer, a crazed, giant killer with a distinct face, a few genuinely good cops, a few nasty corrupt cops, a crooked tree trimmer, a scheming criminal nurse, and a naive movie star. These characters all converge as Mick endeavors to decipher what is transpiring, who killed whom (as the bodies continue to pile up), and what actions he can take. Mick is perfectly content to be left alone, but when he is provoked (such as having a hitman sent after him), he transforms into a truly dangerous force for justice (not necessarily in accordance with the law).

There is an abundance of satire, a scathing critique of the way medical law functioned in Florida during the 80s (heavens, I sincerely hope it has been rectified since), violence, and utter absurdity. We witness deaths by plastic surgery, anchor, and wood chipper. It is caustically sarcastic, and Mick can arguably be considered more of an anti-hero than a hero. Nevertheless, it is a highly entertaining story.

There's something profoundly wrong with Carl.

His actions and behaviors are often unpredictable and border on the absurd.

Yet, despite this, it does make for a fun read.

The story of Carl is filled with strange twists and turns that keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

Perhaps it's the element of the unexpected that makes his tale so captivating.

We never quite know what Carl will do next, and this uncertainty adds an exciting layer to the narrative.

Even though we are aware that there is something amiss with him, we can't help but be drawn in by his antics.

It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion - you know it's going to be bad, but you just can't look away.

So, while there may be something wrong with Carl, his story is definitely one that is worth reading.