This is probably my favorite Hiaasen book, and that's saying something.

I vividly remember reading it in a hardback edition probably 30 years ago. The experience was truly remarkable.

Just now, I finished the audio version, and it was equally great.

The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the story to life, with his engaging voice and perfect intonation.

Listening to the audio version allowed me to relive the excitement and adventure of the story in a whole new way.

I was able to immerse myself in the vivid descriptions and colorful characters, and it felt as if I was right there in the story.

Hiaasen's writing is always engaging and thought-provoking, and this book is no exception.

It has a unique blend of humor, mystery, and social commentary that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

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

Whether you prefer to read it in print or listen to the audio version, you're sure to enjoy it.

Good Hiaasen book.

I try and read one of his books each summer. His works are always so entertaining that they can easily capture my attention and make me completely immersed in the story.

The vivid descriptions and interesting characters he creates bring the stories to life. It's like I'm actually there, experiencing everything along with the characters.

Whether it's a thrilling adventure or a humorous tale, Hiaasen always manages to deliver a great reading experience. I look forward to reading more of his books in the future and continuing to enjoy the entertainment and excitement they bring.

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

Carl Hiaasen has returned with yet another exploration of Florida. This time, he takes a jab at the dirty (but also entertaining!) world of amusement parks.

I was unaware that "Skinny Dip" was part of the "Skink" series of books. He makes a cameo appearance in that one, but you don't really know who he is. At least, I didn't.

In "Native Tongue," he has an actual role in the story, although he's not really what I would personally consider a main character.

Can Florida be regarded as a main character? It doesn't matter.

So, who exactly is Skink? Well, he's a former governor of Florida who was allegedly extremely incorruptible and an environmentalist. And this is how you know the book is a work of fiction.

At any rate, the guy resigned because he couldn't get anything done and went completely off-grid. He now resides in the swamps, fighting the good fight as an eco-terrorist. Also, he's a bit crazy.

The essence of this story is that a reporter with a troubled past is hired to do PR for a second-rate theme park. When the theft of two endangered rodents turns into a murder that's made to look like a suicide of the theme park's scientist in charge of breeding the animals, Joe Winder's reporter instincts detect a story. He teams up with the woman inside the theme park's mascot, Robbie the Racoon, to solve the case. He also receives some unexpected assistance from Skink and his ex-bodyguard (now a state trooper), an old lady who runs an environmental group full of wealthy senior citizens, and her two beleaguered henchmen.

Together, this diverse group eventually attempts to take down a sleazy developer and save a portion of the Everglades from becoming yet another golf course.

If you've read Hiaasen, I believe you'll enjoy this one. If you haven't, you might think twice about visiting a theme park in the Sunshine State.

Hiaasen's book zeroes in on some of the major tourist attraction communities and the damage they inflict on the environment under the guise of entertainment. It transports readers to the Amazing Kingdom of Thrills, located in the Florida Keys. The amusement park endeavors to outshine nearby Disney World while simultaneously emphasizing the supposed good deeds it undertakes in the name of safeguarding endangered animals. Its owner, Francis X. Kingsbury, is a tough-talking ruffian whose main concern is making money, and he has plans to transform some adjacent wildlands into a golf course and an attached community.

The story kicks off when two rare, endangered voles are abducted. This grabs the attention of the press and sets off a strange chain of events. It brings back the popular eco-warrior Skink, a group of well-off seniors passionate about environmental protection, two thieves with a heart of gold, a beefed-up security chief, a sex-line call girl, and a journalist determined to do the right thing.

Just like in most of Hiaasen's works, there is an abundance of eccentric characters and humorous moments. As the amusement park tries to avoid controversy, events gradually spiral out of control. Even the mafia gets entangled in the mess.

This is undoubtedly Hiaasen at his finest.