This is a humorous light read that provides an enjoyable experience. The story unfolds in a light-hearted and entertaining manner, filled with witty remarks and comical situations.

However, the Epilogue left something to be desired. It was a bit too neat and clean, tying up all the loose ends in a rather simplistic way. It felt as if the author was in a hurry to conclude the story and didn't take the time to develop a more complex and satisfying ending.

Perhaps I should have stopped reading just before the Epilogue. That way, I could have imagined my own ending and left the story with a more open-ended and thought-provoking feeling.

Overall, despite the shortcomings of the Epilogue, the rest of the book was an enjoyable read that managed to bring a smile to my face. It served as a great escape from the daily grind and provided a much-needed dose of humor and entertainment.

Basket Case is the very first Carl Hiaasen novel that I've had the pleasure of reading, and I must say it was rather good.

The pacing of the story was excellent. It flowed smoothly and didn't have any lags or slow moments. In fact, it was so easy to read that before I knew it, I had finished the entire book.

The humor throughout the novel was also quite enjoyable. It was refreshing to read a mystery that had a light-hearted tone and didn't delve too deeply into heavy emotions.

Another aspect that I liked was the details about the newspaper business. Although it doesn't sound particularly appealing to me, I could understand how someone with the right personality would thrive in that environment, dealing with deadlines, pressure, and the need to be nosy to get the next big story.

However, there were a few things that didn't quite work for me. For one, the main character, Jack, who is 46 years old, talks about himself as if he's ancient. As someone who falls into the same age category (I won't disclose more details), I found this a bit offensive. I don't think 46 is old at all, and I'm assuming the author may have a different perspective.

There's also a bit of a spoiler here, but it becomes obvious early on that Jack starts a relationship with his editor, who is in her late 20's. I'm not sure if I'm just a prude or out of touch, but I wonder what a 46-year-old man and a 20-something woman could possibly talk about. When I asked my husband this question, he smirked and said, "They aren't talking." Touché. But at some point, don't you want to have a conversation with the person you're spending so much time with? And having sex at the office? That's a big no for me.

Would I read another Hiaasen novel? Probably. But I might be a bit more cautious and look closely at the synopsis on the back to make sure it doesn't hit any of the wrong buttons for me. Overall, I'd rate Basket Case 3 out of 5 stars.

This may be the worst book I have ever read.

From the very beginning, it fails to engage me. The plot is dull and lacks any real excitement or twists. The characters are one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult for me to form any kind of connection with them.

The writing style is also a major let-down. It is平淡无奇 and lacks the creativity and flair that I look for in a good book. The author seems to be more concerned with getting the story told than with making it an enjoyable read.

Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone. It is a waste of time and money, and I can only hope that the author will learn from this experience and produce something better in the future.

Jack Tagger's dreams have not materialized as he had anticipated.

He was a rather excellent investigative reporter until he made a fateful mistake of investigating the wrong individual. This misstep led to his reassignment to cover the obituaries for the newspaper he is employed at in southern Florida.

However, an intriguing opportunity presents itself when he gets the chance to pen the obituary for Jimmy Stoma, the lead singer of Jimmy and the Slut Puppies. Jack has always been a huge fan of the band, which he likens to Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.

Poor Jimmy unfortunately met his demise in a scuba accident that doesn't strike Jack as a genuine accident, especially after perusing the details shared by the grieving widow with other newspapers.

Before long, Jack, accompanied by his best friend Juan, his editor Emma, and Jimmy's sister, find themselves on the hunt for the truth behind Jimmy's death. And as one might expect if they have read any of Hiaasen's other works, this is not going to be a risk-free undertaking.

I have been steadily making my way through Hiaasen's books, and this particular one stands out as the best I have read in recent times. His books are always a source of enjoyment, especially given the fascinating and idiosyncratic nature of his characters. But this one surpasses some of those that were written just a short while before it. It was truly a fun read.

Jack Tagger is truly obsessed with death. As an obituary writer for the local newspaper, he has an uncanny knowledge of which celebrities have died at a certain age, and he often wonders if he can outlive them.

Jack didn't always have this job. He was demoted to the obituary desk after he told the new newspaper owners that they were ruining the paper in pursuit of profits.

One day, Jack discovers that the lead singer of a band he used to like, the Slut Puppies, has passed away. He sets out to write the obituary. Jack contacts the widow and the sister of the deceased, but he gets two completely different stories. Despite printing what he can in time for the deadline, Jack senses that there is more to this story. Something just doesn't feel right.

Upon further investigation, Jack uncovers a startling fact: the singer never had an autopsy. Could he have been murdered?

Jack is a fascinating character to lead a mystery novel. He is self-deprecating and down to earth, which makes a refreshing change from the typical cops who solve mysteries. However, the romantic interest in the story is a bit awkward and off-putting. Overall, though, it's a pretty good novel.

The suspicious "accidental" death of rocker Jimmy Stoma has finally presented an opportunity that reporter-demoted-to-obituary-writer Jack Tagger has been longing for.

He now has a chance to get his byline on the front page of the Union-Register once again. However, this is no easy task. He must prove that Jimmy Stoma's death was actually a murder.

The story is filled with suspense as Jack delves deeper into the mystery. There are many unanswered questions and he faces numerous challenges along the way.

But Jack is determined to uncover the truth. With his sharp investigative skills and a bit of humor, he navigates through the complex web of clues and red herrings.

As the story unfolds, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist and turn. Will Jack be able to prove that Jimmy Stoma's death was a murder and achieve his goal of getting his byline on the front page? Only time will tell.

This book is one of his slower-paced ones, but it's still really good.

I find myself wishing that there was a more prominent, slightly wild yet extremely cool female character in it to inspire me. They often appear in his books, and I kind of miss that in this particular one.

However, maybe it's the universe's way of telling me that I don't necessarily need to go to extremes today.

Sometimes, we look for inspiration in the most unexpected places, and perhaps this book is trying to teach me that I can find value and motivation even in the subtler aspects of life.

Even though it doesn't have the exact kind of character I was hoping for, it still has its own charm and lessons to offer.

I'll keep reading and see what else I can discover within its pages.

A wonderful summer novel awaits you. It is filled with Hiaasen's usual wacky and funny characters. These characters bring the story to life in the most unexpected ways. There is a mystery at the heart of the novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat, trying to figure out what will happen next. The plot twists and turns, leading you down a path of excitement and anticipation.

Not only does this novel have a great mystery, but it also has some laugh-out-loud moments. Hiaasen's writing is full of humor and wit, making it a joy to read. You will find yourself chuckling at the antics of the characters and the absurd situations they find themselves in. The combination of mystery and humor makes this summer novel a must-read.

Whether you are lounging by the pool, sitting on the beach, or just looking for a great book to read on a lazy summer day, this novel is sure to please. So pick it up, sit back, and let Hiaasen's wacky world of characters and mystery transport you to a place of entertainment and fun.

After the slightly disappointed feeling I had from reading 'Sick Puppy' - with its oddly serious commentary running throughout - I'm glad to report that 'Basket Case' is more in line with the rollicking 'joyousness' of the author's madcap 'Skinny Dip'. In one significant way, it surpasses 'SD' (even if, overall, I prefer the latter novel). 'SD' - like 'Sick Puppy' - probably has too many characters, but it didn't matter because its antics are so satisfying that giving even the subordinate characters more time than really necessary didn't slow up the pace or the momentum. However, Hiaasen's use of his characters in 'Basket Case' is more judicious. He gives us a hefty handful of main characters to focus on; his supporting cast, on the other hand, is kept reined-in - appearing only when absolutely necessary to move the plot forward. None of them overstay their welcome.

If 'Basket Case' feels less... I don't know; intimate?, immediate than 'Skinny Dip'?... that could be because it's more obviously a straightforward murder mystery - set in the world of rock 'n' roll. We learn that on p. 3; I perked up at the thought that Hiaasen might be embarking on his own version of the hilarious mockumentary 'This Is Spinal Tap' (which, to a degree, turns out to be the case; he even references that film late in the book). Along the way, Hiaasen is here in consistently fine comedic form. He can also be poignant. The people placed front-and-center are wonderfully engaging and the author again maintains both an admirable sense of structure and a knack for causing the pages to practically turn themselves. The most complicated section is the plot's high-octane wrap-up: it's bonkers!

I was a little disappointed as the book seemed to drag on. In fact, it really didn't start to get interesting until the later part of the story.

Jack Tagger is an investigative reporter for a newspaper. However, his fortunes change when the paper is sold. He makes it known that the sale is a detriment to the veracity of the paper, and as a result, he is demoted to writing obituaries. When Jimmy Stoma dies and he is assigned to do the obit, he finds himself involved in a murder related to the lyrics of a song. It turns out that the person most closely involved is his wife, who needs the song to further her career.

Once again, this novel only begins to shine when the reason for the murder and the identities of those involved start to become known.

It should be noted as a word of caution that this book may not be suitable for all readers due to its sexual content and language.

What I Did Like:

The beginning of this book is truly captivating. It's strange how it manages to grab your attention so quickly, considering it starts with something as ordinary as it does. I believe it's because the character is immediately relatable, and the idea of writing obituaries is something we can all understand. This makes for a great start.

It's also funny, as is typical of Hiaasen's works. He has a dry sense of humor that really suits his books and main characters. It adds an extra layer of entertainment to the story.

The mystery itself is satisfying. There are parts that surprise you, the release of information is well-controlled, and the resolution ties everything together nicely.

Who Should Read This One:

Mystery fans who are looking for something with a dry sense of humor and a unique twist will enjoy this book. It offers a different take on the genre.

Obviously, Hiaasen fans will likely appreciate this one as well. It has his signature style and charm.

My Rating: 3 Stars

Overall, it's not a bad mystery. However, some of the storylines could have been tightened up a bit to make the narrative more streamlined. But despite this, it's still an enjoyable read.

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2025/01/...

A little into this book, I quickly reached the conclusion that it simply wouldn't work for me. In fact, I only managed to have one laugh throughout the entire reading, which was triggered by a rather absurd action that a character took towards a celebrity's car. Additionally, I found myself missing Skink, a character from a previous work perhaps.

However, by the mid-point of the book, I was pleasantly reassured. It became evident that when Hiaasen penned this particular piece, he had not lost his remarkable skill in seamlessly mixing batshit crazy people into a caper novel and generating several laugh-aloud moments. The main character's armed combat with an intruder was especially notable, adding a thrilling and humorous element to the story.

It is truly remarkable that Hiaasen has amassed a great body of work, all with the same unfailing ingredients that make his novels so engaging. And it's even more impressive that it works so well for someone like me who has never set foot in Florida. As is the case in every book of his, the good earth-loving people ultimately triumph over the evil greedy ones, who are portrayed as exaggerated caricatures of human beings. This is pure fiction, but it's great escapist fiction that allows readers to lose themselves in a world of absurdity and adventure.