A team of unlikely misfits come together to create some seriously hilarious moments in a story that many Florida natives might secretly dream about - getting rid of the tourists.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing at Hiaasen's sharp and witty humor. The antagonists' schemes to poetically undermine the tourist market in Southern Florida were truly inventive.

Let me tell you, there was a part of me that was actually rooting for the alligator.

Since Tourist Season was the first Hiaasen book I read, I was not disappointed in the slightest. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It marked the beginning of an addiction.

I was completely captivated by the unique characters, the absurd situations, and the cleverly crafted plot.

Hiaasen has a talent for making the reader both laugh and think, and this book is a prime example of his skill.

From start to finish, Tourist Season is a wild and entertaining ride that will keep you hooked until the very end.

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh out loud and leave you wanting more, then I highly recommend giving Tourist Season a try.

A crazy journalist who is extremely environmentally-minded has embarked on a terrifying spree of murdering tourists. His twisted plan is to scare people away from Florida and leave the precious wetlands solely for the bird and animal species. This absurd idea may seem almost comical at first glance, but the reality of the situation is far from amusing. The journalist's actions are not only heinous but also completely misguided. While his concern for the environment is understandable, taking the lives of innocent people is an unthinkable and unjustifiable means to achieve his goal. As the story unfolds, one can't help but wonder what will become of this deranged individual and the impact his actions will have on the tourism industry in Florida and the delicate balance of the wetlands ecosystem.

I'm completely hooked on this author!

He has an amazing talent for bringing together the most quirky and interesting characters and sending them on a wild roller coaster ride of a story.

The setting of his books is always Florida, a place where it seems that anything and everything can happen.

The unique combination of the wacky characters and the unpredictable Florida backdrop makes for a reading experience that is both entertaining and engaging.

Every time I pick up one of his books, I know I'm in for a treat.

I can't wait to see what crazy adventures and antics his characters will get up to next.

This author has truly captured my imagination and I can't get enough of his stories.

I really enjoyed this!

Carl Hiaasen is infinitely readable, and it's quite a unique experience. Even when you're slightly concerned about the status of his personal sanity, his writing still has an irresistible charm.

I was obsessed with his young adult novels when I was a kid. So, it was definitely interesting to see his style in this adult-oriented work, complete with copious swearing and violence.

The cast of characters is pretty exciting and well-rounded. Keyes, in particular, is just what I love to see: a somewhat off-putting little man who is teetering on the verge of a complete mental breakdown. It's excellent.

Ironically enough, I finished reading this while actively on vacation at the beach. However, I did not really enjoy the romance plotline between the grown man and the 19-year-old girl. That aspect felt rather weird to me.

Overall, it was a captivating read, despite that one odd plot point.

Disappointing.

This is my least favorite of Hiaasen's books so far. "Tourist Season" unfortunately lacked the charm that makes his other works so enjoyable. The story seemed to drag on for far too long before the author finally ended it. I repeatedly thought it was almost over, but it just wasn't. It felt like a never-ending tale that needed to be wrapped up much sooner.

Worse still, the characters weren't the endearing, quirky Floridians I've come to expect. Instead, they were simply unlikeable and unrelatable. And the cringy romance that was randomly inserted into the story, with an inappropriate age gap, was completely unnecessary and added nothing to the plot.

But it was the terrible, abrupt ending that really sealed the deal for me. It left me scratching my head, wondering what had just happened. As someone who usually loves Hiaasen's take on preserving Florida and its unique inhabitants, I'm truly shocked at how much this book missed the mark. This was his first book, and it shows. It's readable, but just barely. Hard nope for me.

I believe that for the present, I have read an adequate number of Carl Hiaasen's books. In fact, I have devoured three of them within the past three weeks. This particular one is a captivating tale of a newspaper reporter who transforms into a private detective. It features his customary melancholy underlying theme of greed prevalent in modern-day Florida.

It leans a little darker and is a touch more serious compared to the majority of his works. Nevertheless, it remains an excellent read. There were several passages that had me laughing out loud. He is undeniably cynical, yet he skillfully cushions his messages of impending doom with truly hilarious snippets.

His writing style is such that it manages to engage the reader on multiple levels. The combination of a serious theme and humorous elements makes for a unique and enjoyable literary experience. I look forward to delving into more of his books in the future.

I had to begin reading this book not once, not twice, but three times. However, I am truly glad that I finally completed it.

The second half of the book is far more captivating and engaging. The plot really starts to pick up speed and draw the reader in.

The language used in the book might seem a bit outdated, but the central idea of protecting and reclaiming Florida is still extremely relevant in today's world.

As someone who resides in Southwest Florida (SWFL), I have a deep understanding of the strong desire to preserve some of the original charm and character of the area.

We are very much aware of how rapid growth can have a significant impact on the animals and ecosystems that call this place home. It is essential that we take steps to safeguard and protect these precious natural resources for future generations.

Overall, despite the initial challenges in getting into the book, I found it to be a worthwhile read with an important message.

DNF - I Hated This Book

DNF, which stands for "Did Not Finish", is a term often used by readers. And in my case, it refers to a particular book that I truly despised.

From the very beginning, the story failed to capture my interest. The characters seemed flat and uninteresting, lacking any depth or complexity. I found it difficult to empathize with them or care about what happened to them.

The plot was also a major let-down. It was predictable and lacked any real excitement or tension. There were no surprises or twists to keep me engaged.

The writing style was another aspect that I didn't like. It was dull and unoriginal, making it a chore to read.

In conclusion, I would not recommend this book to anyone. It was a waste of my time and I'm glad I didn't finish it.

I hope that in the future, I'll be more careful when choosing books to read and avoid ones like this.

Tourist Season is my very first encounter with Carl Hiaasen's works, and it has turned out to be an unexpectedly captivating crime novel! I randomly picked it up as it was lying on the floor beside my Aunt's recliner, and I happened to be without a book to read at that moment. I must admit that I am truly enamored with the realistic and original characters. That being said, there are a plethora of characters, which made the first half of the novel rather confusing for me.

Plot-wise, Tourist Season initially seemed like a slow burner. To be honest, I could even describe it as a bit dull. However, the fact that I never had a clue where the plot was headed next managed to keep my interest piqued! The identity of the "bad guy", his motivation, and the subsequent chain of events in this novel all took me by surprise, thus maintaining my engagement.

Overall, Tourist Season was a good read, although not my absolute favorite. Nevertheless, I have every intention of delving into more of Hiaasen's works in the future!

50 Books/50 States: Florida

I have to say that I have never been so indifferent to the characters in a book before.

From the very beginning, I just couldn't seem to connect with any of them. Their actions and motives felt forced and unconvincing.

As I read on, hoping that things would improve, it only got worse. By the time I reached the 50% mark, I had completely lost interest.

I simply couldn't bring myself to care about what happened to these characters anymore.

It's a real shame because I had high hopes for this book when I first picked it up. But unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

I guess sometimes you win some and you lose some when it comes to reading.

This one will definitely be going on my list of books that I just couldn't finish.

A PR man working for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, along with a random mix of tourists and residents, meets a tragic end at the hands of Las Noches di Diciembre. This group has a radical agenda - to return Florida to its original state. Their method is to instill such fear that people will be driven out.

An ex-reporter who has now become a private investigator takes on the crucial task of uncovering this radical group and putting an end to the bloodshed.

This particular book was the first one written solely by Mr. Hiaasen in 1986. Many of his works shine a spotlight on southern Florida and the unfortunate way in which people are causing its destruction. His writing style is characterized by a cast of strange characters and situations. At times, it can be highly amusing, while at others, it may not be.

Even though Mr. Hiaasen has penned books for young people in the past, this one is not suitable for them. The story contains grisly murders and some profanity.

I have had the pleasure of reading many of his books and have truly enjoyed them. I count him among my favorite authors. If you haven't delved into any of his works yet, I highly recommend giving one a try. You might just discover a new literary favorite.

I would give any book I've read by Hiaasen 4 stars if not more. However, this one was more like 3 and 3/4. This is an earlier book of his comedic/criminal/environmental genre, and he did improve as he progressed.

Still, this book had its merits. It had good laughs, plenty of irony, pathos, tragedy, crime, and mayhem. If you're a Hiaasen fan, you know these are his strengths.

Hiaasen shares his knowledge of the inner workings of a newspaper and populates the story with larger-than-life yet believable characters. There's the self-proclaimed Cuban terrorist, the rabid anti-white former Miami Dolphin star, the Seminole Indian bingo czar, and the less than sane newspaper columnist. These characters come together in an interesting way.

Then there's the former reporter and the reluctant beauty queen who is quite content with her small chest (yes, that's it, her small chest). There's also a cop who has maybe 3/4 of the case solved. It's a diverse group of characters that, despite their improbability, draw you into the story.

Hiaasen shows that even as a rookie, he was quite good. This book may not be his best, but it still has enough to keep you entertained.