In the early 1980s, in South Florida, there was a mindless audiobook available for $400, Alex. It was a whodunit dark comedy that fell somewhere on the spectrum between the works of Tom Robbins and Dirk Gently.

While it wasn't amazing, it was an alright way to pass the time, especially during a pandemic. The story likely had its share of quirky characters and unexpected plot twists, keeping the listener engaged to some extent.

Maybe it wasn't a literary masterpiece, but it served its purpose of providing a bit of entertainment during those uncertain times.

Whether you were driving along the highways of South Florida or simply looking for something to listen to while stuck at home, this audiobook could offer a brief escape into a world of mystery and humor.

It might not have been the most profound or memorable experience, but sometimes, that's all you need to get through the day.

I was first introduced to Carl Hiaasen by a fellow college bookstore manager when we were at a national meeting at Disneyworld.

She boldly sat in the back of the auditorium reading Team Rodent (his collection of essays on the Disney empire) while some CEO or other gave a motivational speech about turning swampland into entertainment.

His fiction writing lies somewhere between Kurt Vonnegut and Elmore Leonard. Generally, I'm not too keen on crime stories, but the humor and the well-developed, eccentric Floridian characters draw me in.

This was his first novel, and I concur with several other reviewers that it is approximately 100 pages too long. I also agree that there is a rather unappealing romance subplot and that the ending doesn't quite hit the mark.

However, overall, it was an engaging story that maintained my interest and made me laugh out loud fairly regularly.

I recommend it as a free audiobook, but I wouldn't suggest it as an introduction to Hiaasen.

I actually got this book when I went to the Abington high school football game to see Sue’s star sons play football.

We went to the Grange Hall to go to the bathroom and, lo and behold, they had a table with free books.

I took it because it was small and it looked entertaining. I thought it would be perfect to have something to read during our vacation to Portugal.

Surprisingly, it was actually so good and entertaining that I finished it before the trip even began.

It was an interesting story with a good underlying message. It was about tourists basically ruining Florida by gobbling up land for their retirement condos.

This really made me think of Pinehills!

Another funny aside, I took it with me when I went to the periodontist. And guess what? Dr. Kondrat said he had read it too!

It's amazing how a small, free book can have such an impact and bring people together in unexpected ways.

Whether it's on a football game trip, during a vacation, or even in the dentist's office, this book has found its way into various aspects of my life and provided entertainment and food for thought.

I'm glad I picked it up that day at the Grange Hall.

Wonderful.

World: The world presented in this book is truly remarkable. It is exactly what one would expect from a Hiaasen creation. The Florida he描绘 for readers is a fascinating blend of hyper-reality and surrealism, seamlessly integrating the truth with a satirical take on the place. Every tiny aspect of this world, from the people to the locales and the situations, is masterfully crafted. It is one of Hiaasen's greatest strengths as a writer, creating a world that feels both familiar and yet completely unique.

Story: This being his first book, it is amazing to see all the elements that we have come to know and love in his later works. The pollution, corruption, over-the-top characters, zany exploits, and nature's attempts to take things back are all present here. The focus on tourism in this first book is a great choice, making the reader both laugh and think about the implications of visiting such a place. It actually makes one wonder whether they would really want to go there as a tourist.

Characters: Insane characters are a staple of a Hiaasen book, and this one is no exception. Most of them are stereotypes, but they are designed to be exaggerated to represent certain aspects and to allow the story to take on a wild and crazy nature. The banter and chemistry between the characters are truly nuts and great fun to read. This is one of the best things about a Hiaasen book and a great reason to enjoy his works.

A great first book!

Onward to the next book!

Carl Hiaasen is truly a remarkable writer.

You can always expect a certain level of excellence from him. He is one of the most consistent writers in history, not only thematically but also stylistically and in terms of quality.

Themes in his works often revolve around environmental issues, corruption, and the absurdities of modern life. His unique writing style combines humor, satire, and vivid descriptions to bring the stories to life.

Whether it's a fast-paced thriller or a light-hearted comedy, Hiaasen's novels are always engaging and entertaining.

His attention to detail and ability to create complex and memorable characters make his books a joy to read.

If you're looking for a writer who consistently delivers great stories, look no further than Carl Hiaasen.

A thoroughly enjoyable yarn that truly captivated my attention from start to finish.

It is both fascinating and concerning to observe how themes such as the environment, the destruction of natural wildlife habitats, and unsustainable urban development were already emerging prominently nearly 40 years ago. This serves as a stark reminder of the long-standing and ongoing issues that our planet faces.

This was my very first experience reading Hiaasen, and it has left me eager to explore more of his works. His ability to weave together an engaging story while also addressing important social and environmental issues is truly remarkable. I look forward to delving into another of his books and seeing what other thought-provoking ideas and entertaining narratives he has in store.

Carl Hiaasen's works are truly remarkable.

They are not only extremely funny but also intelligent, witty, and highly creative. What sets them apart is the consistent presence of a happy ending, which leaves readers with a sense of satisfaction.

His imaginative characters embark on thrilling adventures, and the great use of irony and sarcasm keeps the readers on the edge of their seats, constantly guessing how everything will turn out for the best. And in his books, things always do work out well, which is one of the reasons I love them.

I always manage to find good qualities to admire in his heroes, and it's easy to despise the villains. I can't help but cheer when they meet their demise, no matter in what creative fashion that might occur.

Another aspect that I really like about his works is the positive ecological theme that runs throughout many of his books.

Hiaasen's works serve as great diversions in life. If you look at them from the right perspective, you might even discover a surprisingly improved outlook. But perhaps that's simply due to the numerous laugh-out-loud moments that his books offer.

Overall, Carl Hiaasen's works are a must-read for anyone looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking literary experience.

I've been nibbling away at Hiassen's output off and on for several years.

At a recent book sale, I happened upon several titles I hadn't read, including this one.

It's not his first publication - nor is it his best - but it is funny and violent.

Few people can make violence funny - Hiassen does it very well, indeed.

Read other reviews for the story line but do pick this up and read it if you enjoy dark humor, smart satire and poking fun at savagely stereotypical characters, good and bad.

South Florida is full of strange people - Hiassen is a long-time newspaperman and has seen it all.

Many of his situations and characters were drawn from his own experiences as a reporter.

Hiassen's writing style is engaging and his stories are filled with vivid descriptions and interesting plot twists.

The characters he creates are often larger than life and their actions and interactions provide plenty of entertainment.

Whether you're a fan of mystery novels, satire, or just good storytelling, you're sure to enjoy this book.

So, go ahead and give it a try - you won't be disappointed!

This is the first novel by Mr. Hiaasen that I have perused.

Unlike his previous works which were filled with laugh-out-loud and hilariously surreal people and happenings in South Florida, this one takes on a more serious tone.

The subject matter, namely the environmental and ecological impact that people have had in Florida, is indeed no laughing matter.

Of course, there are still some bizarre characters in the story. For instance, there are some eco-terrorists who support their cause through means such as kidnappings, bombings, and other highly illegal efforts.

Despite the serious nature of the topic, this novel is still a very worthy read. It makes the reader think about the consequences of our actions on the environment and the lengths some people will go to in the name of a cause.

Overall, it offers a unique perspective and is a thought-provoking addition to Mr. Hiaasen's body of work.

This week's required reading in my Southern Lit class was truly engaging.

It was the first novel by Hiaasen that I have had the pleasure of reading, and I am now eagerly anticipating delving into more of his works.

The humor that was skillfully infused throughout the story had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions. It added a light-hearted and enjoyable touch to the narrative.

As someone who visits Florida frequently, I was particularly drawn to the setting of the novel. Hiaasen vividly brought to life the unique landscapes, cultures, and idiosyncrasies of the Sunshine State.

The combination of his humorous writing style and the familiar Florida setting made for a truly captivating reading experience. I can't wait to see what other adventures and stories Hiaasen has in store for his readers.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging read that will transport them to the vibrant world of Florida.

Reading this for my book club, and I have a particular connection to it. While I have read a few Hiaasen books before, I've always had the desire to go back and start from the very beginning. Hiaasen has a truly unique style that I think can easily polarize readers. For me, it's quite odd and unrealistic, yet it injects a wonderful dose of crazy humor into the story. In this novel, it took me approximately one-third of the way to get accustomed to this style.

In the end, I found myself liking both the story and the style a great deal. Despite its oddness, there were moments that were extremely touching. There are heroes that you can't help but cheer for and tragic villains that you kind of feel sorry for. It's a complex web of characters and emotions that Hiaasen weaves masterfully.

I will leave you with images of 1980s Miami, as this is what I pictured throughout the entire reading. These images bring to life the setting and add another layer of authenticity to the story.

Occasionally, it is really quite funny. I have a great appreciation for what Hiaasen is attempting in his writing. He has a unique style that often brings a smile to the reader's face. However, I must admit that I think I was really hoping for a bit more of a mystery element to it. The story had its moments of humor and entertainment, but I felt that it could have been enhanced with a stronger sense of mystery. It would have added an extra layer of excitement and kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to discover what would happen next. Despite this, I still enjoyed the overall experience of reading Hiaasen's work and look forward to seeing what he comes up with in the future.