Carl Hiaasen's comic satiric novels are a unique blend of humor and social commentary, with a particular focus on the atrocities humans are inflicting on the state of Florida. In his first novel, 'Tourist Season' (1986), the story unfolds around a fed-up journalist who decides to take matters into his own hands to drive tourists and snowbirds out of Florida. His motivation is to stop the developers from building condos and hotels that are destroying the state's beauty and ecology.

The premise of the novel is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Skip Wiley, the most popular columnist at the Miami Sun newspaper, disguises himself as El Fuego, the Comandante of a terrorist group called Las Noches de Diciembre. The other members of the group, each with their own motives for fomenting chaos, serve as the 'front men'. Viceroy Wilson, an African-American former football player, is seeking redress for the exploitation and mistreatment of Black people in America. Jesús Bernal, an American-born Dartmouth graduate of Cuban ancestry, pretends to be an immigrant from Cuba and is an inept bombmaker who wants to revolt against Fidel Castro. Tommy Tigertail, a Seminole Indian who has made millions from bingo on the reservation, desires revenge for the historic mistreatment of Indians by White people.
Las Noches de Diciembre carry out their terrorist campaign in a series of outlandish and often hilarious ways. They murder tourists, bomb golf courses and newspaper offices, use a helicopter to drop hundreds of rattlesnakes on a cruise ship, and even threaten Miami's Rose Bowl parade. The Miami police are after them, but they play down the havoc to keep the tourist trade and influx of retirees going strong.
The story is filled with a diverse cast of characters that add to its charm and interest. Jenna, Skip Wiley's girlfriend, is a wily sex-goddess who loves to cook and bake. Pavlov, a tourist-eating crocodile, provides some unexpected moments of humor. Dr. Remond Courtney, a shill psychiatrist who'll testify to anything for money, is a satirical take on the medical profession. Cab Mulcahy, the worried managing editor of the Miami Sun, suspects that Skip Wiley is El Fuego. Ricky Bloodworth, a deluded Miami Sun columnist, is ambitious but untalented. Police Sergeant Al García, the Cuban-American detective tasked with stopping Las Noches, adds a touch of realism to the story. And Kara Lynn Shivers, a nineteen-year-old beauty queen threatened by the terrorists, brings a sense of danger and excitement.
All in all, 'Tourist Season' is a story that is simultaneously hilarious and heart-wrenching. The reader is left laughing while also being horrified by the death and destruction. Hiaasen's subsequent books continue to rail against the devastation in Florida, but unfortunately, to little avail. Nevertheless, if you're in need of a good laugh, his books are sure to fill the bill. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by George Wilson, who did an excellent job with the plethora of voices. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com.

I was extremely disappointed with this choppy and cheesy read.

It felt a little better when I learned that this was one of Hiaasen's first books.

I generally have a liking for his humor and the "Florida" connections that he often incorporates into his works.

The choppiness of the narrative made it difficult to get fully immersed in the story.

The cheesiness of some of the情节 and characters detracted from the overall enjoyment.

However, given that it was an early work, it's understandable that there might be some roughness around the edges.

I still have high hopes for Hiaasen's other books, as I know he has the talent to create engaging and entertaining stories.

I will likely give him another chance and explore some of his more recent works to see if he has improved and refined his writing style.

Overall, while this particular book was a disappointment, I'm not ready to write off Hiaasen as an author just yet.

Carl Hiaasen's writing is truly a unique blend. He skillfully mixes in an ample amount of humor that manages to make the otherwise implausible parts of the plot not only work but also seem completely natural. It's as if he has created an off-kilter world where everything is okay, and that's what makes his stories so captivating.

This particular book turned out to be his very first. Just like the other book I read by him recently, it is set in southern Florida. The central idea revolves around the fact that a tropical paradise has been invaded by land developers and tourists. This has caused extreme anger among some people, who are willing to go to great extremes to make their point. In Hiaasen's world, this leads to a novel that is not only highly entertaining but also filled with humor.

Hiassen has a remarkable ability to be very deadpan. I was particularly drawn to this passage: "On the bar was a framed color photograph of Reed Shivers with his arm around Bob Hope. Shivers looked drunk and Bob Hope looked taxidermied." This is a perfect example of Hiaasen's humor. It's witty, unexpected, and makes you laugh out loud. I can't wait to read more of his works and explore the crazy and wonderful worlds he creates.

ABANDONED.

I truly had a strong desire to like this book. The setting of Florida, with its alligators, mystery, and a touch of humor - it seemed like a great combination.

It gave me a certain reminder of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. However, when it comes to the overall comparison, I have to admit that I like Vonnegut much better.

Perhaps it was just that I wasn't in the exact right mood to fully appreciate this particular book. Maybe on another day, with a different state of mind, I might have found more to enjoy within its pages.

But as it stands now, I've decided to abandon it and move on to other literary pursuits.

Who knows, maybe I'll give it another chance in the future and discover something I missed the first time around.

This is a cute story, but at times it just seems to drag on and on.

The plot might have had some moments that felt a bit overly long or repetitive, which could have potentially made the reading experience a little less engaging during those stretches.

However, on the positive side, the ending was quite interesting. It provided a nice twist or resolution that made it all worthwhile in the end.

Overall, I still enjoyed the story. Despite its minor flaws in pacing, the charming elements and the engaging conclusion left a good impression on me. It's the kind of story that you might find yourself thinking about after you've finished reading it.

Carl Hiaasen's work truly hits the mark with its vivid glimpses of the newsroom.

The megalomaniac personalities that can develop and fester there over time are both fascinating and frightening.

What makes it even more terrifying is that it all seems entirely believable.

The madman in the story often sounds remarkably sane, which blurs the lines and makes it difficult not to feel a certain degree of sympathy for him at times.

One can't help but wonder if, in some cases, his extreme actions are perhaps warranted.

Hiaasen has a remarkable ability to make readers feel for each and every one of his characters in this novel.

Whether it's the random victims or the confused ecoterrorists, he presents them on an everyman basis that he has sometimes strayed from in his more recent works as he chases after ever more absurd plot twists.

Interestingly, I happened to read this particular book while on vacation in Florida, lounging on a beach chair by the ocean.

This added an extra layer of perspective to the reading experience, making it all the more memorable.

Set in the vibrant city of Miami, this satiric novel delves into the world of eco-terrorism.

It follows the story of a newspaper reporter who has now become a private eye and finds himself pitted against a former colleague who has turned into the leader of a terrorist cell. Skip Wiley, the deranged ringleader, has a crazy plan to return Florida to the Seminoles and the everglades by driving tourists out through acts of terror.

Admittedly, the novel is on the lightweight side, but it is undeniably amusing. It is filled with colorful characters and its sharp satire of various aspects such as tourism, race relations, and the newsroom turns mayhem into high entertainment. Hiaasen is extremely adept at keeping the reader in a state of suspense, providing background on minor characters who are doomed to meet a grisly fate as crocodile food or simply fade away. This makes it difficult to determine which of the main characters will survive until the end.

However, the book is slightly marred by a few credibility gaps, even for a farce. For instance, the police focus on only one specific date for a possible attack and do not consider an equally likely date even after the first passes without incident. Overall, though, it is a fine and funny thriller with a satisfyingly ambiguous ending that will leave readers entertained and thinking.

This is a truly remarkable solo debut that leaves a lasting impression.

The characters are vividly brought to life, each with their own unique personalities and quirks that draw the reader in and make them feel like real people.

The setting is masterfully crafted, creating a rich and immersive world that adds depth and authenticity to the story.

The author skillfully weaves together elements of suspense, humor, and plenty of unexpected twists, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, thriller, or just a great story, this book is highly recommended. It's a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and entertaining read that will leave them wanting more.

Don't miss out on this amazing debut and discover the world of great characters, thrilling plotlines, and unforgettable moments that await you within these pages.

This enjoyable and somewhat bizarre book is truly un-put-downable. It could easily be devoured in under two hours, but I chose to read it a few pages at a time, eager to prolong the suspense and savor the delightful story it presents.

Set, like most of Hiassen's books, in Florida, this fast-paced thriller kicks off with the discovery of several murder victims. Each of these seemingly unconnected individuals has met their demise in one of a number of strange ways. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that they are all victims of a terrorist gang known as 'Noches de Diciembre'. Their aim, which I won't disclose here, is rather unusual. It has nothing to do with anti-Castroist Cuba activities but is instead related to ecology.

According to the brief biography on Hiaasen's own website, he has been a journalist and still pens a column for a Miami newspaper. I can't help but wonder if one of the main characters in 'Tourist Season', Skip Wiley, isn't at least a little bit autobiographical. Well, not too much... I hope!

In any case, Hiaasen's rich experience of the things and events he has reported on in Florida must surely be a significant source of inspiration for his stories.

If Hiaasen's stories are indeed based on real life, then his books have done little to entice me to visit Florida. Perhaps, this is exactly what he intends. In everything I've read by him, there is more than a hint of his love for wildlife and its preservation. And, from what I can gather, he is definitely concerned about the encroachment of settlers from the rest of the USA on native Florida.

I wholeheartedly recommend reading 'Tourist Season'. It's a fast-paced, captivating read that takes many unexpected twists and turns before reaching its astonishing conclusion.

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The over development of Florida is truly a concerning phenomenon that seems to have given rise to anarchistic behavior. It is quite a satire indeed.

Florida, once known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back lifestyle, has now become a victim of its own success. The rapid growth and expansion have led to a situation where chaos and disorder seem to prevail.

There are reports of increased crime rates, traffic congestion, and a general breakdown of social norms. The lack of proper planning and regulation has contributed to this anarchistic behavior.

It is essential that the authorities take immediate action to address these issues and restore order in Florida. Otherwise, the state may continue to spiral into further chaos and become a cautionary tale for other regions.

We need to find a balance between development and maintaining a civilized and orderly society. Only then can Florida truly thrive and be a place that people are proud to call home.

His name is Pavlov. He is a North American crocodile, one of only about thirty left in the entire world.

He's a shade over seventeen feet and weighs about the same as a Porsche 915. All that tonnage with a brain no bigger than a tangerine. Isn't nature wonderful, Brian? Who said God doesn't have a sense of humor?

Carl Hiaasen showcases his own brand of humor in this novel, his first solo effort as a writer. Many of his signature moves are present.

His overriding concern for the environment and his eco-warriors, his zany side characters, his bumbling criminals and his ingenious criminal plots, his barbed and often bitter rants against a consumerist society.

Underlying everything, his love for Southern Florida and his enduring interest in its natural world, in its history and in its colourful, exuberant inhabitants.

When the body of a prominent local businessman is discovered crammed into a red leather luggage, covered with sunscreen, missing his legs and with a plastic toy alligator stuffed down his throat, the police are clueless as to motive and manner of death.

Local private gumshoe and former investigative journalist Brian Keyes takes on the case in defense of an unlikely Latino suspect. His investigation goes pearshaped as his client commits suicide, the police are stonewalling over evidence of a serial killer on the loose and his old frenemy and mentor at the newspaper goes missing.

Skip Wiley is an early prototype for the later books Hiaasen hero Clinton 'Skink' Tyree - a modern Robin Hood fighting a lone guerrilla war against the fat cats of industry and against rampant pollution.

Skip is the 'gonzo' columnist at the local Miami newspaper who made a name for himself by his bitter attacks against tourists and property developers.

It looks like Skip has finally gone overboard in his quest to save Florida from destruction and is the mastermind behind the self-titled terrorist group "Las Noches di Diciembre", bringing together a scion of the Seminole rebel Indians, a washed-out football star and a hot-tempered anti-Castro Latino anarchist in a plan to empty Florida of tourists.

My personal verdict is that Skip Wiley is indeed crazy, and that makes it very hard for the reader to sympathize with his cause, given the extreme measures he deploys in order to achieve his goals.

This is probably the reason the author decided to start again from scratch in his next novel ("Double Whammy") and create the former Governor gone rogue Skint Tyree.

Brian Keyes is a much more likable lead, assisted by local police officer Al Garcia and by beauty queen Kara Lynn.

I also had some problems with pacing and with some of the convenient plot coincidences and stretches of credibility.

In the end I enjoyed the trip to Florida. The book served its purpose a little too well as holiday entertainment by raising a score of valid concerns about the way we destroy the most beautiful places on the planet in our yearly exodus to famed tourist destinations.

It may not be Carl Hiaasen's best offer, but it is a good introduction to his style and to his recurrent themes.