Community Reviews

Rating(3.8 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
29(29%)
4 stars
24(24%)
3 stars
47(47%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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I truly have a deep affection for his sense of humor.

His ability to make people laugh with his witty remarks and comical expressions is simply remarkable.

Whenever he is around, the atmosphere becomes light and cheerful.

His sense of humor has a unique charm that can easily attract others and make them feel at ease.

It is not just about telling jokes, but also about his way of looking at things and finding the funny side in ordinary situations.

His humorous nature has not only brought a lot of joy to those around him but also made him a very popular person.

I am always looking forward to spending time with him and experiencing his wonderful sense of humor.

It never fails to brighten up my day and make me forget all my troubles.

His sense of humor is like a shining star that lights up the lives of those around him.

I am so glad to have such a humorous friend in my life.
July 15,2025
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A slightly off-kilter mystery unfolds, centering around a deceased punk rocker. His wife, a peri-pubescent brat who has been married to him for just a few months, adds an element of strangeness. The story also features a hodgepodge of residual newsroom characters, with overarching goodies and baddies in the form of media conglomerates. Additionally, there are some of the sundry tasty and tawdry types that one typically encounters in beach towns of a certain size, all there to reinvent themselves and be someone they weren't yesterday.


It isn't a book that will leave a lasting impression or offer any profound spectral insights. However, it does have the power to make you giggle out loud on several occasions. And that, in itself, is a good thing. Sometimes, a lighthearted read that can bring a smile to your face is just what you need to brighten your day.

July 15,2025
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Basket Case seems distinctively different to me when compared to all of Hiaasen's other novels, and I have had the pleasure of reading each and every one of them.

Most of his works typically feature some outrageously flamboyant character whose insatiable greed has a profound and egregious impact on the Florida environment. This blatant disregard for nature has inevitably provoked the ire of one of Hiaason's various avatars who passionately advocate for wildlife, proper land use, or some other endangered aspect of the landscape. There is usually an element of over-the-top revenge exacted at the miscreant's expense, adding a touch of dark humor to the narrative.

Toward the latter part of his career, Hiaasen made a foray into writing young adult fiction. These works maintained similar themes and settings but were not quite as parodic in nature.

However, Basket Case stands out as a mostly serious endeavor. It boasts an engaging plot that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish, and even has a hint of suspense. What's more, there is no trace of slapstick humor whatsoever.

Interestingly, after the publication of this particular book, the author reverted back to his humorous ways. I found this book to be quite enjoyable, but it undeniably remains an anomaly within his body of work.
July 15,2025
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I simply love Hiaasen! I thought I had read all of his works, but then I came across this one by chance.

It features his characteristic dark humor and satire, which never fails to amuse and engage me.

The story is filled with vivid characters and unexpected plot twists that keep me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Hiaasen has a unique talent for highlighting the absurdities and injustices of society in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

His writing style is engaging and accessible, making his books a joy to read for readers of all ages.

I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
July 15,2025
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A Delightful Reading Experience

It was truly a delight to read this story. The way the author told the tale had me smiling from start to finish. It was not only engaging and compelling but also had moments that were laugh-out-loud funny. I found myself torn between wanting to read it quickly to find out what happened next and also wanting to savor every word and detail. After having read some rather dry and uninteresting material, this book was like a refreshing cool glass of water on a hot day. It rejuvenated my love for reading and left me eager to explore more of Hiaasen's works. Now that I've had this wonderful experience with this novel, I'm all set to dive into his other novels and see what other amazing stories he has to offer. I'm sure they will be just as captivating and entertaining as this one.
July 15,2025
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Full of zany characters, Carl Hiaasen's novel Basket Case exudes excitement and frisky plot twists.

Hiaasen is truly the master of story-telling. His ability to craft engaging narratives that keep readers on the edge of their seats is simply remarkable.

Moreover, his word craft is top-notch. The way he chooses and arranges words to create vivid images and bring the story to life is a delight to behold.

His laugh-out-loud humor is another highlight of his works. The witty dialogues and comical situations in Basket Case will have you chuckling from start to finish.

And let's not forget his expertise in the comic crime novel genre. Hiaasen has a unique way of blending crime and comedy, making his stories both thrilling and entertaining.

No wonder he's my favorite modern author. His novels are a perfect escape from reality, filled with adventure, humor, and unforgettable characters.

I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
July 15,2025
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I would say that if I were reading it specifically for a mystery, I would have assigned it a higher rating. In fact, it was more of a cheeky mystery rather than a pure comedy with a mystery element. I believe this is precisely why the new readers gave it a higher mark compared to his regular fans, and the Hiaasen followers rated it lower.

Generally speaking, I usually have a penchant for his work. However, it was quite a stretch for me to like this particular one. I felt that the story just plodded along in a rather lackluster manner. By the time I was 75% through, I seriously considered stopping. The so-called chuckles, which were not really great belly laughs, were mostly just sarcastic remarks that he directed towards the bad guys.

It seemed as if the author was relying too much on this one-note style of humor, rather than developing a more engaging and multifaceted plot. As a result, the overall reading experience was somewhat underwhelming.
July 15,2025
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Nice but not that great.

This is a rather common assessment. Something might initially seem nice, perhaps it has an appealing appearance or a pleasant quality. However, upon closer inspection or further experience, it becomes clear that it doesn't quite reach the level of being truly great.

For example, a movie might have some interesting visuals and a decent storyline, but the acting could be mediocre or the plot might have some holes. Or a restaurant might have a nice ambiance and friendly staff, but the food might not be outstanding in terms of taste or quality.

In many aspects of life, we often encounter things that are nice but not that great. It's important to be able to recognize this and not be overly swayed by initial impressions. While the nice qualities can be enjoyable, we should also strive to seek out those things that truly are great and offer a more fulfilling and satisfying experience.

July 15,2025
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Pretty basic.

Everything about it was kinda okay. There were some slightly humorous parts, especially the language. I liked how Jack often referred to Cleo Rio as the devastated widower. However, I didn't actually laugh out loud at any point.

It was a very easy read and quick enough. Though I didn't feel super compelled to pick it back up at any point.

It was a bit clunky how at the beginning, Emma, the 27-year-old editor, was casually dating Jack's boyfriend Juan, and Jack claimed she was his enemy. But then very quickly he and Emma got together. The way his feelings for Emma switched so quickly would have made more sense if he was 13. It was pretty odd for a 46-year-old.

The most interesting relationship was between him and Carla, his ex Anna's daughter. But generally, everything just kind of came together too perfectly.

When Emma was kidnapped by Cleo's bodyguard and lover/producer, and they did the swap for Emma/the hard drive (containing Jimmy's song Shipwrecked Heart that Cleo wanted), Jack/Emma/Juan were being chased and then Jack shot a gun (poorly) at the bad guys and their boat crashed and they quickly died in a way that looked like an accident.

And he thought Jimmy's sis Janet had been assaulted, but actually she just left town for a while and he would have known that if he had listened to his messages.

Then at the end, everything was settled but Cleo was going to get away with murder. But surprise! Janet had some other poor body burned and Jimmy's body was secretly buried so they were able to do an autopsy and see that he had been drugged --> his death scubaing.

Not to mention all that stuff with the original owner of the paper Polk leaving his shares of the paper in a trust for Jack to oversee with the understanding that he was to torment the evil sell out who bought the paper.

It was all just too convenient and too perfect. I would not recommend this book to anyone, and I would not read another book by this man.
July 15,2025
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Carl Hiassen's comic crime capers are truly captivating. They are very fun, very fast, and very Florida. These qualities have a magnetic pull on readers, and in "BAKET CASE," the author once again delivers in a big way.

The story begins with a has-been rock star who meets a suspicious end in the Bahamas. The narrator, a veteran news reporter now stuck covering obituaries, discovers some questionable details while writing the rocker's death notice.

From this point on, we are plunged into a world filled with sketchy former band mates and hangers-on, as well as the rocker's flashy semi-pop star wife, who has her own career aspirations.

"BAKET CASE" is a classic Hiassen novel, recommended for its light and breezy tone, as well as its fascinating insights into the worlds of rock stardom and journalism. One of the prime benefits of reading Hiassen's works is that the reader is always bound to learn something new. And, more often than not, they will find themselves laughing out loud while doing so.
July 15,2025
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It would have been a truly decent book if there had been less filler.诚然,适当的填充内容是必要的,但在这里似乎作者过度使用了它。

Another aspect that left me a bit confused is whether this is supposed to be a romantic story, a thriller, or a documentation on the newspaper business and its decline. If the thriller elements had been more prominent, I firmly believe this book would have been far more engaging.

I do have a genuine interest in the newspaper industry and its recent downfall. However, I didn't anticipate reading about that in a detective or thriller novel. At least, that was my initial perception of the book.

Nevertheless, I did manage to finish it. The beginning and the end were somewhat disappointing, but overall, it wasn't that horrible. It had its moments that kept me reading, although it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I think with some adjustments and a clearer focus on its genre, this book could have been a lot better.
July 15,2025
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I have always been a great enthusiast of Hiaasen's books. This particular one is just as delightfully quirky and clever as all the others in his collection.

However, it didn't receive a completely glowing review. The reason for this is that the story had some moments where it felt a bit jumpy. There were sudden shifts in the narrative that made it a bit challenging to follow at times. Additionally, there were some rather odd choices in the editing.

Overall, though, the characters in the book were bright and full of life. They added a lot of charm and personality to the story. And the story itself was quintessentially and oddly Florida. It captured the unique essence and atmosphere of the state in a way that only Hiaasen can. Despite its flaws, it was still an enjoyable read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

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