What was truly enjoyable were some of the highly amusing descriptions and comments.

I really relished the story as a whole. However, it was the little details and nuances that truly made it special for me.

These smaller elements added an extra layer of charm and interest to the narrative.

They made me laugh out loud at times and kept me engaged throughout the reading experience.

It's amazing how these seemingly insignificant aspects could have such a significant impact on my overall enjoyment of the story.

Without them, the story might have been good, but with them, it became truly great.

I will definitely remember these chuckle-worthy descriptions and comments for a long time to come.

Minus one star because there is no Skink appearance in the book. This lack of the beloved character is truly a disappointment for fans who were eagerly anticipating his presence. However, on the other hand, there is a redeeming factor. Plus one star because Warren Zevon recorded the song Basket Case. His rendition of this song adds a unique and interesting element to the overall experience. It's as if the song serves as a sort of compensation for the absence of Skink. Despite the initial letdown, the fact that such a great artist like Warren Zevon has contributed in this way gives the book a certain charm. It makes one wonder if there are other hidden gems within the pages that might yet be discovered.

I randomly came across Sick Puppy by this author simply because I was drawn to the cover. Kudos to the marketing team for their excellent work!

The heroes in his books are not your typical, perfect characters. Instead, they are flawed and quirky, which makes them all the more interesting.

In this particular book, the hero has an unusual obsession with death and spends his time writing obituaries.

I have to say that I am really enjoying this author's work. Sure, his books may not have had a profound impact on my life or completely changed my perspective, but they are truly great for those lazy Sundays.

Picture this: you're curled up on a comfy chair, still in your pajamas, with a plate of delicious cupcakes by your side and a cup of coffee (or tea, if that's your preference) in hand, and you're lost in the pages of one of his books. It's the perfect way to unwind and relax.

I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us.

I read this for the spring challenge.

I found this one to be more enjoyable than Nature Girl. However, it didn't quite reach the level of Skinny Dip.

Hiaasen, as always, has a remarkable talent for breathing life into some truly hilarious characters. In this book, he introduces us to some of the dumbest criminals one could ever imagine.

The story is highly entertaining, although it may seem a bit far-fetched at times. Nevertheless, it manages to keep the reader engaged and provides a great deal of fun.

Overall, it's a great read for those who enjoy Carl Hiaasen's unique brand of humor and storytelling.

I absolutely loved the writing in this book.

Every word seemed to be carefully chosen and crafted to create a vivid and engaging story.

The author's style was unique and captivating, drawing me in from the very first page.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author had created, and I didn't want to leave.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the entire book.

The plot was exciting and full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read.

It is truly a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Loved it. For a former newspaper reporter like myself, who is also an increasingly devoted Carl Hiaasen fan, this book was truly a two-fer.

The story is quintessential Hiaasen - a side-splittingly funny mystery brimming with outrageously eccentric characters, genuine suspense, a flawed and reluctant hero, and a rock band named The Slut Puppies. Oh, and of course, there's murder. It simply wouldn't be a Hiaasen tale without that.

But this story is also a fascinating period piece about newspaper journalism in the 1990s. Back then, the increasing corporate ownership and the subsequent demand for higher profits took a heavy toll on newsrooms. They were already struggling to deal with the rise of the Internet, which triggered a landslide in quality. This led to the production of the shallow, entertainment-focused drivel that now passes for serious news.

The protagonist is an obituary writer - a dying breed in the 90s and all but extinct today. Our obituary boy had actually been a hotshot investigative reporter who publicly shamed a new corporate owner and was thus sentenced to the newspaper equivalent of purgatory. Solving the mystery surrounding a dead rock star might just be his ticket back to the front page.

Having lived through this chaotic era (and having been demoted to covering regional cops beats - twice), this book really struck a chord with me. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all my fellow survivors of the newspaper business.

I recently came across a Hiaasen novel that I had not read before, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a disappointment.

The main character in this particular story is a journalist who is extremely frustrated with the devolution of the newspaper business. Hiaasen, being a former journalist himself, I have no doubt that this character, much like the Governor in some of his other works, is yet another alter ego.

However, what sets this book apart from his usual style is the lack of his trademark good-natured humour and mayhem. Instead, the journalist comes across as strident and angry, and even a bit of a misogynist. As a result, he is not really a likeable character at all.

It's a shame because I have always enjoyed Hiaasen's unique brand of storytelling, but this particular book just didn't hit the mark for me.

A writer on the family pages of a small local newspaper makes a bold decision. He decides to step out of his comfort zone and venture into the world of investigative journalism. His focus? To uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of a deceased rock singer. Was it a tragic accident, or was there something more sinister at play? This story leans more towards the realm of a 'traditional crime' novel, and perhaps it's the least 'typical' offering from Hiaasen since he co-wrote with Montalbano. However, there's no need to worry. You won't ever mistake Hiaasen for someone else! His unique writing style and ability to craft engaging and thought-provoking stories are still very much present. As the writer delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Will he be able to solve the mystery and bring justice to the rock singer? Only time will tell.

Carl Hiaasen is truly in top-notch form within these pages.

Even though he departs from his typical narrative style by transitioning to a single-perspective first person present tense narrative, it doesn't detract one bit.

This is because Hiaasen's writing prowess is simply outstanding. His wit is delightfully dry, and his comedic timing is nothing short of brilliant.

He has the remarkable ability to handle any narrative device with the utmost ease. The advantage of this different narrative approach is that the mystery becomes more sharply focused, and in this regard, it's among his very best work.

Hiaasen sets aside his usual environmental platform in what amounts to a loving homage to classic rock, old rockers, and those who passed away at a young age.

The classic Hiaasen caricatures are still very much present. I have a particular fondness for the protagonist, Jack Taggert, an obituary writer who is completely obsessed with death to the extent that he compares everyone's age to the age at which a corresponding celebrity died.

From the clever bantering that takes place in an overlooked newsroom to the climactic confrontation on a storm-threatened Lake Okeechobee, this is escapist fiction at its absolute finest.

Although it may not be as prototypical as his masterpiece, "Sick Puppy," this book is likely just as excellent in its own unique way.

A Good Read

A good read is like a precious gem that can transport us to different worlds, introduce us to unique characters, and expand our minds. It has the power to engage our emotions, make us laugh, cry, or think deeply. Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or an informative non-fiction book, a good read has the ability to capture our attention from the very first page and keep us hooked until the end.

When we pick up a good book, we enter a realm of imagination and possibility. We can explore new cultures, learn about different historical periods, or gain insights into the human condition. A good read can also be a source of inspiration, motivating us to pursue our dreams, overcome challenges, or make positive changes in our lives.

In a world filled with distractions, a good read provides a welcome escape. It allows us to unwind, relax, and lose ourselves in the pages of a book. So, the next time you're looking for a way to pass the time or expand your horizons, pick up a good read and let the magic begin.

Journalist as a hard-core detective. This book presents a charming premise: a serious and gifted journalist, who, due to political reasons, is confined to writing obituaries. This occupation has led him to become fixated on his own mortality. At every stage of his life, he compares himself to renowned individuals who passed away at that exact age. Whenever he discovers the age of someone he meets, he recalls famous people who died at their age. As a result, the reader is entertained by frequent bouts of slightly macabre trivia.

A once-famous rock star dies under suspicious circumstances, and the journalist manages to insinuate himself into the investigation (under the guise of research for a proper obituary), while also becoming a significant part of the (unreported, but revealed to the reader) story. People meet their end, some in a horrific manner, and most for no apparent reason. The protagonist narrowly escapes death on multiple occasions. He falls in love while mending a broken heart and finds healing. He delves into a smaller mystery concerning his father, who abandoned him at a tender age, and shares moments with his eccentric mother and his ex's precocious daughter.

The characters are vividly portrayed and engaging. Without revealing the plot, I can say that it has a happy ending (at least for the protagonist), but this will come as no surprise to any reader of the book. This is due in part to the lighthearted and clever writing style, and in part to the plot twists that are as blatant as a Zeppelin live performance.

I truly enjoyed this book. I have a penchant for hard-core detectives. I don't object to happy endings for characters I like. I relish trivia and appreciate a healthy dose of humor in suspense literature. I'm awarding it 4 stars simply because half stars aren't an option, and 3 stars would seem too stingy. The actual score should be 3 1/2.

I don't recall now how Carl Hiaasen first caught my attention. In all honesty, it was probably the brightly colored covers of his books. After all, I wouldn't call myself a die-hard fan of mystery. Rather, it's something I happen to read on occasion. Nor do I have a particular affinity for stories set in Florida. It's no more or less interesting to me than any other state, except, of course, for New York. Yet, over the years, I managed to collect three of his books. Only two will be reviewed here, as I seem to have gotten rid of the third, perhaps passing it on to a library.

So, as someone who doesn't frequently devour mysteries and doesn't get overly excited about a Florida setting, I liked this book just fine. To be honest, I think my favorite aspect of this book was the journalism aspect. It's about a former investigative reporter and current obituary writer who, while writing an obit about a musician he used to follow, comes to the conclusion that the death was perhaps not as accidental as it initially seemed. I enjoyed reading a story told from the perspective of a journalist, delving into all the good and bad things that this particular career entails. After all, those good things are precisely why I majored in Journalism. However, the bad things are the reason I never pursued that field after graduating.
Anyway, all in all, this was a fun book. It wasn't overly gory, as far as Florida murder books go (I'm looking at you, Dexter). And the mystery wasn't overly mysterious. But it was entertaining enough. It wasn't a waste of time. However, I'll bet if someone asks me about Basket Case in a month, I'll struggle to provide a detailed synopsis.