Hilarious......as usual!

This statement implies that something is extremely funny, just like it always is. It could refer to a person's sense of humor, a particular event, or a recurring situation that never fails to bring laughter.

Laughter is a powerful emotion that can bring people together and brighten up even the dullest of days. When something is described as hilarious, it means that it has the ability to make us laugh out loud and forget about our troubles for a while.

Whether it's a witty joke, a comical movie, or a silly prank, there are many things in life that can make us burst into laughter. And when we experience something hilarious, it often leaves a lasting impression on us and becomes a cherished memory.

So, the next time you hear someone say "Hilarious......as usual!", you know that they are about to share something that is bound to make you laugh. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

I was truly disappointed with this book.

It failed to meet my expectations, and as a result, I won't have my husband bother reading it either.

This was the very first Hiaasen book that didn't manage to make me laugh out loud.

I really miss Skink, who was such a memorable and entertaining character in his previous works.

The story seemed to lack the usual charm and wit that I have come to expect from Hiaasen.

Perhaps it was a one-time fluke, but for now, I'm left feeling a bit let down.

I hope that his next book will bring back the humor and excitement that made me a fan in the first place.

Suspense + Humor = A Good Time

Suspense and humor are two elements that, when combined, can create an incredibly enjoyable experience.

The anticipation and uncertainty that come with suspense keep us on the edge of our seats, while humor lightens the mood and makes us laugh.

It's like a magical formula that guarantees a good time.

Whether it's a thrilling mystery novel with witty dialogue or a suspenseful movie filled with comical moments, this combination has the power to engage and entertain us.

It allows us to escape from reality for a while and immerse ourselves in a world of excitement and laughter.

So, the next time you're looking for some entertainment, look for something that combines suspense and humor. You're sure to have a great time!

What is advertised as a gritty who-dun-it story actually comes across as the laziest of self-insert middle-aged daydreams.

All of the characters, aside from the Carl Hiaasen stand-in, can be divided into one of three categories. Firstly, there is a sexy young woman who is inexplicably attracted to the main character. Secondly, there is an inept buffoon of a man designed explicitly to make the main character look good in comparison. Thirdly, there is the one decent-looking suave young man who the main character is friends with, but the female lead is snubbing because she wants the mediocre middle-aged main character instead.

The title of the book is also the title of a song in the book, which is also the title of a single put out by the author. Strangely, it is not the song that the entire story is about.

In traditional harem-style writing, all the biggest kinks are covered while somehow still not managing to go all the way into the erotic territory. One can only assume the author is a coward.

While the cliched film noir reminiscent tropes made me roll my eyes, I will admit I enjoyed the book. The solution to the mystery was obvious from the beginning as the list of suspects was less of a list and more of a single bullet point. However, I still enjoyed the amount of trouble the main character had to put in to prove it. It was also fun trying to pinpoint the exact year the novel was written in based on the technology available and pop culture references. The writing style was like someone trying to rip off Hunter S. Thompson after having only heard someone else describe his works.

I would summarize this book as easily digestible trash fiction of both the best and worst kind. It has its flaws, but it also has its entertainment value.

Here's pretty much the only problem I have with Carl Hiaasen: he's not Donald Westlake. I've been spoiled forever by the grand master of comic capers, characters and plot twists. But Hiaasen is inventive, entertaining, and intelligent, and that's all good.

This one concerns a dead washed-up rock star. In fact, since he dies in a diving mishap, you might say he's a washed-up washed-up rock star. And there's a newspaper reporter, fallen on hard times due to his own hubris, permanently relegated to the obituary desk of a marginal newspaper. The plot, as you might expect, gets a lot more convoluted.

Hiaasen, a former newspaper man himself, takes the opportunity to have fun with the death ages of countless famous folks. It's an unhealthy obsession of his character. He also makes allusions to all manner of classic rock acts and artists. He pokes pointed jabs at the music business in general and at present-day corporate journalism.

And of course there's the expected cast of colorful characters, each one gleefully limned warts and all. Just my own taste here, but for me Hiaasen tends to linger a little too long on some notes and to stretch the ability to accept a dubious plot point. But he cares enough about his characters to give them, for the most part, their just desserts by the final act. And he still provides a fun ride in the process.

A favorite author, Mr Hiaasen, who is renowned for his laugh-out-loud funny stories filled with outrageous characters and terrific plots, has unfortunately written a rather disappointing book. This time, he has penned an ordinary, middle-of-the-road crime novel.

He strongly decries the downsizing of newspapers, with a particular emphasis on the pursuit of profits. For him, this book is very personal, but for the rest of us, it feels more like an essay.

There are indeed some amusing moments within the story. For instance, my favorite is when the main character, Jack, gets beaten unconscious with a frozen monitor lizard. However, for the most part, it is a helter-skelter series of frothy happenings that could have benefited from more thought and disciplined writing.

Overall, I would rate this book 3 stars. It has its moments, but it falls short of the high standards set by Mr Hiaasen's previous works.

Combining music history and murder is indeed a complex and fascinating concept, and Hiaasen manages to handle it masterfully in this early-aughts adventure.

The Serge Storms series has a dedicated fan base, and they will be highly impressed with the intricate plot and the vivid描绘 of the Florida settings.

For music enthusiasts, this book is a treasure trove of pop culture references. It even includes some fictional trivia about the fake band Jimmy and the Slut Puppies, with their outrageously punk rock name being particularly memorable.

Overall, it's an enjoyable and engaging read that keeps you turning the pages. If you have an interest in music, murder, or the unique charm of Florida, this book is definitely worth a try.

And even if you despise pop stars who are portrayed as spoiled brats, don't let that deter you. Give this book a chance, and you might be pleasantly surprised. It could be a great escape and a source of entertainment.

So, pick up this book and embark on a thrilling journey that combines the worlds of music and mystery.

Carl Hiaasen's work wasn't all that hilarious for me. I was rather let down.

Here's my query: When Carl Hiaasen is intoxicated, does he have the urge to relocate to Gibraltar and pen poetry in iambic pentameter?

There were indeed some amusing and nearly unforgettable characters, such as Colonel Tom the monitor lizard and Loreal the cascading hair guy.

The depictions of Lake Okeechobee evoked memories of Florida's abysmal weather.

I also had a liking for most of the women in this book: his mother, Emma, Janet, and Carla. He creates really cool female characters.

It seems that while there were some亮点 in the story, overall it didn't quite meet my expectations in terms of humor. Maybe Carl Hiaasen has other works that are more to my taste. I'll have to explore further to find out.

South Florida news reporters, such as Hiassen, have the opportunity to convey more extraordinary stories that stretch the imagination in their professional roles compared to many fiction authors. One would anticipate that when Hiassen finally indulgently decides to depict a South Florida newsman as a hero, he would go even more outrageously than is characteristic of his other excellent novels. However, surprisingly, that's not the case.

For instance, there is an incident where the frozen remains of a former 3-and-a-half-foot monitor lizard pet named Colonel Tom need to be taken out from beneath the pizza rolls in the freezer to be used as a weapon by our hero to defend himself against a home invasion. But this story is set in South Florida and must be believable.

"Basket Case" is less reliant on this particular brand of humor than most of Hiassen's novels, yet it has a stronger plot with a better mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As always, it has a pull on me and reminds me of living down there. And it makes me realize that I'm probably better off where I am, in a completely sane place like southern California.

This novel offers a unique blend of elements that keep the reader engaged and entertained throughout. It showcases Hiassen's ability to create a vivid and somewhat zany world while still maintaining a solid narrative structure. The characters are well-developed, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing until the end. Overall, "Basket Case" is a great addition to Hiassen's body of work.

Jack Tagger, Jr., a middle-aged former elite reporter, now finds himself in a rather unenviable position. After a furious tirade against his newspaper's corporate masters, he has been demoted to writing micromanaged obituaries. His life has become slow, miserable, and downright boring.

However, things take an unexpected turn when he is tasked with penning the obituary for Jimmy Stoma, a rock and roll icon who is believed to have drowned in a tragic diving accident. Jack's investigative instincts kick in, and he begins to dig deeper into the case, suspecting a conspiracy involving murder and number one hit songs.

Despite lacking the support of his supervisors and having only a few clues and suspicions to go on, Jack is determined to get to the bottom of things. Can he bring closure to the family of his all-time favorite musician, or will the case go cold before he even has a chance to make a dent?

As with all of Carl Hiaasen's thrillers, the characters in "Basket Case" are colorful and full of life. Jack Tagger himself is a wisecracking narrator who never fails to get a chuckle out of the reader, whether he's commenting on sex, rock and roll, journalism, politics, or violence. His sense of humor is essential for his line of work, as it helps him cope with the morbid nature of writing obituaries.

But Jack is more than just a smart-ass. He's a truth-seeker at heart, dedicated to weeding out the BS of corporate news, even if it means getting himself into trouble. His passion for his art form is unwavering, and he would stop at nothing to see Jimmy Stoma's case through, even if it means potentially losing his job.

In today's world, we need more honest people like Jack Tagger to deliver the news. At 46 years old, he has no time for corporate shenanigans or dishonest scum bags. His obsession with death is both fascinating and a little creepy, as he compares his own age to those of the dead celebrities he once admired.

Writing obituaries for so long has made him wonder when his own end will come and how it will happen. This grim obsession has driven his loved ones away, despite their pleas for him to let go and be happy with what he has.

But in true Carl Hiaasen fashion, there is a touch of humor in even the darkest of situations. The ability to mix seriousness with humor in a subtle way is one of Mr. Hiaasen's greatest gifts as a writer. And there are plenty of opportunities for both in "Basket Case," especially as more bodies drop and living people mysteriously vanish.

Of course, Jack Tagger isn't the only character worth mentioning. Jimmy Stoma, even in death, is remembered as a party animal with a deep soul and undying charisma. Emma Cole, the twenty-something editor at Jack's paper, starts off as a pain in the butt but eventually reveals herself to be a charming sweetheart. Janet Thrush, Jimmy Stoma's sister, has a rather unique day job as an internet stripper with a SWAT team gimmick. And Juan Rodriguez is a Cuban immigrant who is so talented at writing newspaper stories that he could easily be a New York Times bestselling novelist.

On the other hand, there are also the characters who deserve a good punch in the face. Cleo Rio, Jimmy Stoma's widow, comes across as a shallow and spoiled pop princess who has no appreciation for what her husband left behind. Jerry, Cleo's chubby bodyguard, may be a tough nut to crack due to his fighting abilities, but that doesn't stop readers from wanting to take a swing at him. Loreal is a bogus music producer with about as much credibility as the corporate profiteers running Jack's newspaper outlet. And Race Maggad III, or "Master Race" as Jack Tagger jokingly calls him, cares more about making money than producing truthful news, as evidenced by his crippling budget cuts.

The stage is set for a wild and wacky adventure as these goofy characters clash over the mystery of Jimmy Stoma's death and the future of realistic journalism. If you're looking for a well-written mystery with plenty of quotable one-liners and a reliable narrator, then "Basket Case" by Carl Hiaasen is the book for you. In my experience, Mr. Hiaasen has never written a bad novel, and I don't think he ever will!

A fun book awaits you, filled with several good plot twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I truly don't believe I have a whole lot to say about it that others haven't already expressed, considering how long this book has been in existence. However, if you're in the mood for something that has a touch of humor and can be read quickly, you could definitely do a lot worse than picking up this book. It's especially great if you enjoy taking a trip down memory lane and looking back at the music albums of your youth. You'll find yourself wondering just what you were thinking when you thought that particular music was great. It's a light-hearted and enjoyable read that is sure to bring a smile to your face. :)

I have a couple of Carl Hiaasen books that have been gathering dust on my shelves for quite some time. In an effort to give them the attention they deserve, I decided to pick up "Basket Case." Hiaasen is known for his unique style of writing, infusing his plots and characters with both amusement and a touch of snark.

In "Basket Case," the protagonist is a newspaper reporter. (It's interesting to note that in today's digital age, one might wonder what a newspaper really is and if they still have a significant presence.) This reporter, Jack Tagger, finds himself condemned to writing obituaries as a result of his indiscretion in commenting on the downfall of the paper that employs him.

The story takes an exciting turn when a has-been rocker dies under suspicious circumstances. Jack Tagger gets drawn into the mystery, determined to uncover the truth behind what really happened. The book was written at the dawn of the twenty-first century, and it vividly reflects that era when phone booths were still a common sight, and flip phones, GPS, and external hard drives were considered cutting-edge technologies.

Overall, this was an entertaining whodunit in the classic Hiaasen style. However, I did have an issue with one aspect of the story - the love scenario. Tagger becomes involved with his much younger boss at the paper, and he is portrayed in a rather unappealing light, almost like a bit of a dog. This whole aspect of the story was a bit of a turn-off for me.

Although I have another Hiaasen book sitting on my shelf, I think I will set it aside for the time being. Maybe I'll come back to it later when I'm in a different mood or when I'm ready to explore another of his unique and often humorous tales.