Another exciting outing by Hiaasen awaits.

The protagonist here is Jack Tagger, who, after insulting the owner of a Florida daily newspaper, is condemned to writing obituaries.

He yearns to return to writing more important stories. When he is assigned to pen the obituary of a former rock star, he might just have found what he's been seeking.

Jimmy Stoma, who once led the band Jimmy and the Slut Puppies, dies in a scuba "accident," but Tagger suspects foul play. Was it truly an accident or a murder? And if so, could his young widow, Cleo Rio, be behind it?

Cleo Rio is an up-and-coming pop singer with only one hit to her name, yet she claims she and Jimmy were collaborating on a new album for her. However, Jimmy's sister disputes this, telling Jack that Cleo was not working with Jimmy. So, if Cleo is responsible for Jimmy's death, what could be her motivation? And can Jack piece together a crime story that will boost his newspaper career?

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from Hiaasen. It focused on the newspaper business while also being filled with trivia about music and personalities dating back to the 60s.

I'll admit the novel did seem a bit dated. It was originally published in 2002, when most print newspapers were on the verge of being overtaken by the internet and before online music became the norm and CDs were still the standard.

But it was definitely an enjoyable journey through Hiaasen's Florida. In fact, Hiaasen even wrote a song, "Basket Case," along with Warren Zevon, which he attributes to Jimmy and the Slut Puppies. Great stuff! This is actually the last adult Hiaasen novel I had left to read. But I'm eagerly anticipating his next one, "Fever Beach," which is set to be released next month (May 2025). I can't wait!

A significant number of people do not have an affinity for Carl Hiaasen. However, I am most definitely not among them. I have a profound love for this particular style of writing. I thoroughly relished every single aspect of the story, including all the captivating investigations. The characters of Jack Tagger, Jimmy, and The Slut Puppies added an extra layer of charm and interest. There is nothing in this narrative that one needs to take overly seriously. Instead, it serves as a truly fabulous read, especially on a rainy day. It has the ability to transport the reader into a world filled with excitement and mystery, making it a perfect escape from the mundane. Whether it's the clever plot twists or the engaging dialogue, every element works together seamlessly to create a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, it was so captivating that I simply couldn't put it down. It's a top-notch detective novel, yet it doesn't have a traditional detective.

Hiaasen's novels are known for their twisted and funny plots, and this one is no exception. In fact, it's especially good. The crime itself may not be overly original, but the protagonist, Jack Tagger, who is an obituary writer, and the way in which the crime is uncovered through his impulsive (or perhaps compulsive?) actions, is truly unique and interesting.

What's more, the healthy dose of pop-culture references throughout the book kept me smiling from start to finish. It added an extra layer of entertainment and made the reading experience even more enjoyable. Overall, this is a great book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery with a touch of humor.

Carl Hiaasen is indeed funny. However, his brand of humor might not sit well with a significant number of people. This includes politicians from both the Republican and Democratic parties, members of the Aryan Brotherhood, trailer trash, those who shell out thousands for plastic surgery, plastic surgeons themselves, Colombian drug dealers, tourists, pedophiles, supermodels, criminals, and dog-haters. Presumably, if you don't belong to any of these demographics, you won't be offended by Hiaasen's rather salty disposition.

Hiaasen seems to have a general aversion to just about everyone in Miami, Florida. And he vividly portrays this hate in his uproariously funny novels.

"Basket Case" is perhaps his most direct attempt at penning a murder mystery. Narrated from the first-person perspective of Jack Tagger, an obituary writer for an obscure local newspaper, the story follows Tagger as he delves into the mysterious death of Jimmy Stoma, the front man of Jack's favorite rock band from the 70s, Jimmy and the Slut Puppies.

The official ruling is accidental drowning, but Tagger suspects foul play. His suspicions are further confirmed when two other former members of the Slut Puppies meet a violent end. Sadly, he lacks concrete evidence. Fortunately, he has Emma, his attractive young editor who has more than a passing fancy for him. He also has a frozen lizard in his freezer, a strange yet not entirely unexpected preoccupation with death, and more intelligence than the bumbling hitmen hired to kill him. (One of them is simply named Loreal, yes, after the shampoo...)

This is truly engaging stuff. While Hiaasen may not be in the running for a Pulitzer Prize, he is undeniably hilarious and a great source of scathing social commentary. He will definitely make you laugh. What more could one ask for?

I listened to this on CD. It's okay.

There have been some funny parts, which did bring a few smiles to my face. However, if I had been actually reading it, I probably would have stopped.

I guess it would be a decent summer read if you like the unrealistic mystery/humorous type of books. The story has that certain charm that might appeal to those who enjoy a bit of light-hearted entertainment during the summer months.

Nevertheless, the characters seemed very flat and one-sided. They lacked depth and complexity, making it difficult for me to relate to any of them. It was as if they were just cardboard cutouts, going through the motions of the story.

I would recommend this to someone who is looking for a light beach read. If you're willing to sacrifice poorly written characters and an unrealistic plot line for some gossipy entertainment, then this book might be for you. It's not a literary masterpiece by any means, but it can provide a bit of mindless fun on a sunny day at the beach.

This is my first novel by Carl Hiaasen, and I must admit that he is an extremely clever individual.

The book is brimming with witty remarks that seem to jump out at you from nearly every paragraph. While it may not be the kind of thing that makes you laugh out loud uncontrollably, it is highly engaging and entertaining. It's a pity that this quality doesn't seem to be as highly regarded in fiction these days.

The book is a mystery of sorts, yet I couldn't care less about the crime itself, which involves a song and a murder. If you read carefully, you'll notice that the title is derived from a song by a deceased rock star (was he murdered? Perhaps). "Basket Case" was from an album called Floating Hospice.

Hiaasen had a long career in newspapers, and his passion for the craft is evident in this novel in numerous ways. His writing style is sharp and concise, just as you would anticipate from a journalist who has limited column space. His protagonist has been demoted to writing obituaries, but even this seemingly unglamorous task is treated with great respect by the author and his fictional anti-hero.

Writing obituaries has made Jack Tagger obsessed with the age at which people pass away, turning it into a bit of a competition to see if he can outlive some of the famous names and pop icons in history. I found myself getting into the spirit of it and discovered this website:

https://www.who2.com/celebrities-list...

As it turns out, among Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince, I might just have a chance to win. But I've never been the competitive type, and I simply wish the pop diva a long and healthy life.

I really liked this.

It offers a great commentary on corporate journalism, which is both thought-provoking and relevant in today's media landscape.

In addition to that, it presents a decent murder mystery that keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat.

The south Florida ambience adds an interesting and unique flavor to the story, making it feel both exotic and familiar at the same time.

And let's not forget the character with an encyclopedic knowledge of rock music. This character adds a fun and quirky element to the story, and their love for music serves as a great backdrop for the events that unfold.

Overall, this is a great read that combines elements of mystery, social commentary, and interesting characters to create a truly engaging and enjoyable story.

Carl Hiaasen has once again taken us on another fun and wacky adventure.

His ability to capture the newsroom ambience is truly remarkable. Given that he himself is a reporter, it's not at all surprising.

As I was reading, I just couldn't help but picture Jack in my mind's eye. Strangely enough, he looked suspiciously like Carl Hiaasen.

It's as if Hiaasen has injected a part of himself into the character. This added an extra layer of charm and authenticity to the story.

His writing style is engaging and full of humor, making it a joy to read.

I can't wait to see what other adventures he has in store for us.

Overall, this is another great read from Carl Hiaasen that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted and entertaining story.

Carl Hiaasen's Basket Case has its merits, but it falls short of being one of his most successful works.

The decision to make the novel first person, with Jack Tagger as the narrator, limits the use of subplots, a trademark of Hiaasen's previous successes.

Tagger comes across as an author-surrogate, a middle-aged journalist who undergoes a series of unlikely events and becomes an all-around cool guy. However, his character is unlikable, being boring, self-righteous, snobbish, and preachy.

The book also contains several elements that are not believable, such as the girlfriend's character arc and Tagger's actions.

Furthermore, the book is not as funny as one would expect from a Carl Hiaasen novel. While there are a few humorous moments, such as the tale of Colonel Tom, the overall tone is more like a thriller or soap opera.

Despite these shortcomings, I still hold out hope for Hiaasen's future works, as he has shown great talent in the past.

I always seem to forget about Carl. It's quite strange really. I've only read one other book by him and absolutely loved it, yet for some reason, he's just not someone who comes to my mind regularly. But I have a plan to change that.

This man is truly funny. He's bordering on the level of Christopher Moore funny, and that's really saying a lot. In "Basket Case", although it lacks some of the absurdity that was present in "Tourist Season", it still had me laughing out loud. I really appreciate the originality of his work. However, according to some reviews, perhaps if I continue to read his books, I might no longer be as enamored with his unique storytelling skills. But until then, I'm going to enjoy it.

How often do you come across a story where someone beats up an intruder with a frozen monitor lizard? And who even has a frozen monitor lizard in the first place? Well, that would be a quirky Carl Hiassen character, that's who. His characters are always so unique and full of surprises, making his books a joy to read.

Reading all of CH. This is #4 of 8 standalone books, and it has quickly become my new favorite.

Perhaps it's because it's told in the first person? I don't think any of the others were. I started reading it yesterday, and unfortunately, I fell asleep while reading last night. So, I had to finish it today.

CH really had a great time here with the album names, song names, and lyrics for the metal band, Jimmy and the Slut Puppies. It's laugh-out-loud funny stuff. And maybe some of the lyrics are actually kind of good? Also, CH had fun with some of the headlines and obits. All of it is very entertaining.

Small town obit writer Jack Tagger takes on the task of writing the obit for Jimmy Stoma, an aging rocker who had lived a more quiet life in the past few years. Gradually, Jack gets sucked into the drama as things about Jimmy's death just don't seem right. Jack's editor (and enemy), Emma, forbids him from pursuing anything more than a small obit. But that doesn't stop him.

Bad guys are plentiful, along with a few good friends, bad and good writers, and honorable and despicable publishing magnates. Much of the action is set in the business of newspaper publishing, which I reckon CH knows well, and it was really well done. I enjoyed the relationships between Jack and his mom, his ex-GF Anne, and Anne's daughter Carla. And Jack's friend Juan is very cool. I liked the evolution in the relationship between Jack and Emma, and in the end, almost everything was resolved very satisfactorily.

Also, unlike the other books, there is no overarching eco theme here, although it is pushed in small bits. Instead, we have the financial struggle of newspapers, perhaps especially small town newspapers, as they are gobbled up by larger corporations and squeezed for profit. This book doesn't mention the impact of the internet. Maybe in 2005, it wasn't impacting them that much, but I'm sure it has only made the situation worse now.

Predictable but kind of fun.

This statement implies that something may follow a certain pattern or be foreseeable, yet it still manages to bring enjoyment. It could refer to a variety of situations, such as a movie with a familiar plotline that still manages to engage the audience, or a game that has a set of rules but offers enough entertainment to keep players coming back.

While predictability might seem like a negative trait at first glance, it can actually provide a sense of comfort and security. When we know what to expect, we can relax and simply enjoy the ride. Additionally, even if something is predictable, there may still be elements of surprise or novelty that make it worth experiencing.

In conclusion, being predictable doesn't necessarily mean being boring. As long as there is an element of fun and enjoyment, something can be both foreseeable and engaging. So the next time you come across something that seems predictable, don't be too quick to dismiss it. You might just find that it has more to offer than you initially thought.