3,5 stars.

I read this book (and several of Hiaasen’s other books) many years ago. It was a memorable experience at that time.

This time around, I decided to listen to the audiobook version. To my surprise, the book seemed longer than I recalled.

The humor that I had found so hilarious in my previous reading was not as immediately laugh-out-loud funny this time. However, that doesn't mean the book wasn't still enjoyable.

The story still had its charm and engaging elements. The characters were well-developed, and the plot had its twists and turns that kept me interested throughout.

Although it didn't have the same impact as it did when I first read it, it was still a worthwhile listen. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy light-hearted, humorous stories with a touch of adventure.

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, it just didn't do it for me.

It seemed to go on and on without a clear direction, and the attempts at being snarky and funny fell flat.

I found it impossible to connect with any of the characters, which is a huge drawback for me.

I'm a big fan of Hiaasen, especially his YA fiction, so I had high hopes for this adult book.

However, it was a major disappointment.

The story lacked depth and the characters were one-dimensional.

I kept waiting for something to happen that would draw me in, but it never did.

In the end, I was left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled.

I would not recommend this book to others, especially those who are fans of Hiaasen's YA work.

It's a shame, really, because I think he has a lot of talent as a writer.

Maybe his next adult book will be better.

More of a thriller than a mystery, this story also serves as an even more scathing satire of 1980s Florida and the complex way in which public relations and newspapers interact. My main gripe with it wasn't the exaggerated characters but rather Brian Keyes' puzzling decision. After he discovered that Skip Wilson was involved in something, he chose not to go to the police. His reasoning for this decision seemed contrived and artificial. It was baffling that not once did he seem to take into account the fact that his own private investigator license could be revoked for this act of obstruction. In essence, he became an accessory after the fact, which added an extra layer of frustration to the story.

I don't think I clicked with Hiaasen's sense of humor.

I can see the potential in the story and the plotline was interesting. It had the makings of a great read.

However, I just didn't get along with the execution of the plot. Most parts seemed to drag on, and I found myself waiting forever for the "big event" to occur.

Moreover, I didn't like any of the characters. There weren't even any characters that I loved to hate. They just didn't resonate with me.

I can see how this book would appeal to fans of Hiaasen's work. But for me, it just didn't match my reading style.

The reason I gave this book 3 stars instead of a lower rating was because the ending of the book was perfect. It matched the personality of the characters so well that no other ending would have been appropriate.

I give Hiaasen full credit for fully committing to the plan and delivering such a satisfying conclusion. It was the one redeeming quality of the book for me.

As someone who grew up in South Florida,

and has been to numerous Orange Bowl parades as a kid,

I've run across each and every character Hiaasen 'created' here.

And I truly enjoyed this book.

It's just laugh out loud funny!!

How many people do you know who'd use a crocodile as a murder weapon?!?

This book is escapism at its best.

It takes you away from the real world and into a wacky, hilarious adventure.

The characters are so vivid and unique,

you can't help but love them.

Hiaasen's writing style is engaging and full of wit.

He has a talent for creating absurd situations that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Whether you're from South Florida or not,

this book is sure to make you laugh and have a great time.

It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good comedy or a thrilling mystery.

So, if you're looking for a fun and entertaining read,

pick up this book and get ready to be entertained from start to finish!

"Scare off the tourists and pretty soon you’ll scare away the developers."

That's the central idea put forth by a small group of crazy individuals who are taking deadly aim at tourists, politicians, and innocent people visiting the Sunshine State. This is the opening salvo from the Bard of Florida in what has come to be known as "Tourist Season."

This is Carl Hiaasen's first novel, dating back to 1986. It's a crime caper that firmly adheres to the author's template - featuring wild characters on a madcap spree. The theme here is to prevent the destruction of Florida's natural landscape for the sake of tourists by actually instilling the fear of death in them.

As with most of Hiaasen's works, there's a wealth of background information on his beloved state's history and environment. This includes Miami's origins as the uninhabitable swamp known as Fort Dallas, and the giant reef of Osprey Island.

What follows is a headline-grabbing murder spree that culminates in the planned kidnapping of the Orange Bowl Queen.

It's a fun book, although its bygone era makes it a bit quaint. In this pre-internet world, characters share newspaper stories by physically clipping them out of the paper and sending the actual copies through the post! Something that was a natural part of life in the 80s, but still manages to elicit a chuckle.

It's a charming book, albeit wildly politically incorrect even by this author's standards. Carl Hiaasen has cultivated a devout fan base over the decades, and this is where it all began.

Carl Hiaasen's first published novel in 1986 is truly a masterpiece that showcases him in terrific form!

This work has received an outstanding rating of 9 out of 10 stars, which is a testament to its high quality. The story likely weaves a captivating narrative, filled with Hiaasen's unique brand of humor, vivid characters, and engaging plotlines.

Readers are sure to be drawn into the world he has created, following the adventures and misadventures of the characters with bated breath.

Hiaasen's writing style is known for its wit and sharp social commentary, and this novel is no exception. It may touch on various themes such as environmentalism, corruption, and the human condition, all presented in a highly entertaining and accessible way.

Overall, this first novel is a must-read for fans of Hiaasen and anyone looking for a great story that will keep them entertained from start to finish.

I'm glad that this particular book wasn't the very first Carl Hiaasen book that I had the opportunity to read.

I have actually derived a great deal of enjoyment from several of his other novels. In fact, I was so impressed that I made up my mind to go back and read all of his works, starting from the very first one and continuing all the way to the last.

However, this particular book really seemed to drag on and on. It just couldn't hold my attention the way his other books had. As a result, I quickly lost interest and found myself struggling to get through it.

It's a bit of a disappointment, especially considering how much I had enjoyed his other novels. But perhaps this is just an exception and his other works will continue to be as engaging and entertaining as I remember.

Early Outing for Hiassen's Outrageous Ouevre

Carl Hiaasen is a renowned author known for his unique and outrageous style. His latest work is generating a lot of buzz, and fans are eager for an early outing to get their hands on it. The anticipation is palpable as readers wait to see what wild and wacky adventures Hiassen will take them on this time.

Hiassen's ouevre is characterized by its humor, satire, and vivid characters. His stories often deal with environmental issues, corruption, and the absurdities of modern life. With each new release, he manages to surprise and delight readers with his creative and engaging plots.

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his work, the early outing for Hiassen's outrageous ouevre is not to be missed. It's sure to be a wild ride that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Anytime you come across a newspaper columnist who pens a funny an amusing crime novel with a diverse cast of characters where a newspaper columnist and an ex-newspaper columnist占据 prominent roles, you can be fairly certain that a significant amount of autobiographical material and snide references will be interwoven within. And that indeed appears to be the situation here. Subtlety is completely disregarded in favor of large, easily identifiable targets such as those soulless developers who drain swamps just to construct housing. There are also the greedy businessmen who are solely focused on bringing tourist dollars to their community, and the uncaring reporters who strive to provide news for their constituents. You know, those so-called "evil" people like that.

If you happen to live in Florida, you might want to add a star to the rating. And if you have a deep concern for the plight of the Florida Keys' Ospreys, you could perhaps add another star. This novel seems to be a combination of entertainment and a not-so-subtle commentary on various aspects of society and the environment. It will surely appeal to those who enjoy a good crime story with a touch of satire and a connection to real-world issues.

This book is an ideal holiday read.

It is filled with acerbic wit, vivid descriptions, and the sun-drenched lunacy set in Florida.

The story is so engaging that it offers lots of genuine laugh-out-loud moments.

It's truly great fun to read, transporting you to a world of hilarity and adventure.

Whether you're lounging on the beach or curled up in a cozy corner, this book will keep you entertained from start to finish.

It's the perfect companion for a relaxing holiday, providing a much-needed escape from the daily grind.

So, grab a copy and get ready to embark on a wild and wonderful literary journey.

You won't be disappointed!

Maybe I should admit a bias here.

I am really not a mystery fan. When I discovered that the hero of this book is a private investigator, I was instantly biased against it. The fact that the PI came from a journalist background, just like Hiaasen, made me even more skeptical.

With the single exception of Wiley, the characters are pretty much all stereotypes. I mean, seriously - the down-on-his-luck former football player, the hotheaded Latin, the mystical Indian (ugh), the good cop and the bad cop, and so on.

There are some humorous turns of phrase, I'll give you that, but there's nothing here that can be considered any kind of commentary on the human condition, unless you count the now overdone and trite environmental NIMBY-ism.

Oh, and the hero ends up with the brilliant beauty queen - someone please tell me that in writing this, Hiaasen wasn't just indulging in personal fantasy.

There's nothing here to convince me to waste my time reading any of his other books.