Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
29(29%)
4 stars
37(37%)
3 stars
34(34%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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This book was rather good from the beginning, and as it neared the end, it became truly excellent.

During the Rhino hunt, I found it extremely funny, especially from the dog's point of view. That particular part was so entertaining that it made the entire book worthwhile for me.

Overall, this was a satisfying read because most of the characters received what they deserved. At least the bad guys got their comeuppance. I believe the good guys might have as well, although we don't get all the details. I liked this book enough that I'm eager to read more by Carl Hiaasen. This is the final book of the Skink series, but there are a few others that I'll likely give a try.

I'm curious to see what other adventures and humorous stories he has in store for readers. I have a feeling that his other books will be just as enjoyable as this one.

Maybe the next book will have an even more interesting plot and more hilarious moments. I can't wait to find out.
July 15,2025
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Carl Hiaasen is an extremely talented author, and after Dave Barry, he is widely regarded as one of the funniest.

His latest work is yet another hilarious environmental Florida story that is sure to keep readers entertained from start to finish.

In this particular tale, a rather unexpected character, a millionaire bum, catches a Florida lobbyist in the act of littering on the highway.

The events that unfold after this encounter are far too complex and convoluted to simply describe in a few sentences.

However, rest assured that it is definitely worth taking the time to read this story to discover all the crazy twists and turns.

Hiaasen's unique blend of humor, satire, and environmental awareness makes this book a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and wants to be entertained while also learning something about the importance of protecting our environment.

So, don't miss out on this wonderful story and pick up a copy of Carl Hiaasen's latest book today!
July 15,2025
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Lots of eco-hijinks are happening these days, and it's truly a sight to behold.

From creative recycling projects to innovative sustainable initiatives, people are coming up with all sorts of ways to make a positive impact on the environment.

These eco-hijinks not only bring a sense of fun and excitement but also raise awareness about the importance of taking care of our planet.

Whether it's a community garden blooming in an urban area or a group of activists protesting against plastic waste, every little effort counts.

It's recommended that we all get involved in some way, whether it's by making small changes in our daily lives or by joining forces with like-minded individuals to make a bigger difference.

So, let's embrace these eco-hijinks and work together to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.
July 15,2025
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Yes, this is crass, but it's a masterpiece.

Hiaasen's writing is absurd, cathartic, and hilarious. It has a unique charm that keeps the readers engaged from the very beginning.

After hearing the news that the remnant prairie at my hometown's nature center was "accidentally" sprayed by the city after citizens protested its sale to developers, I really needed this read. It was like a breath of fresh air in a situation that was otherwise quite disheartening.

The way Hiaasen weaves together a story full of crazy characters and outrageous events is truly remarkable. It makes you forget about the real-world problems for a while and just enjoy the ride.

Whether you're a fan of satire or just looking for a good laugh, this book is definitely worth checking out. You won't be disappointed.
July 15,2025
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I haven't delved into any Carl Hiaasen works for approximately ten years. It's worthy of note that considering his initial 5 books, his investigative reporting, and the fact that he once appeared on IN SEARCH OF alongside Leonard Frickin' Nimoy, I hold Hiaasen in the highest regard as a genius, to be spoken of with great reverence. However, I will now proceed to speak of him in less hallowed tones.

Interestingly, this book is about where I left off in his body of work - somewhat randomly chosen. I had the impression that if I continued reading his books, it would be a case of deja vu all over again. And I guess I was somewhat right.

I'm not sure if I've changed, or if the world has, or if Sick Puppy is less inventive compared to Hiaasen's previous books. But all the elements that I found brilliantly insightful, stirringly romantic, and bewitchingly clever in his earlier works now seemed rather vapid in this one.

The book is also about twice as long as it should be given the amount of plot it contains. Every paragraph felt overly long, which was strange considering Hiaasen's typically breezy prose. Around 200 pages into its 337 pages, I felt as if I was cornered at a cocktail party in a retirement community by an old geezer, and I was attempting to send the psychic message "Stop Talking!" Had the book been about 100 pages shorter, I don't think I would have had that feeling, as the story itself is enjoyable and the characters are familiar and comforting. It's also worth mentioning that Hiaasen's outrage at Florida politics and overdevelopment is also familiar, and I share that sentiment. But it all just felt a little too easy. It was like I could read it and chuckle at it on the beach at a Florida resort or on the patio of my McMansion in Boca Raton, without really giving a thought to what it's truly about or why its characters are angry. A certain degree of that is expected in an escapist crime novel masquerading as an environmental thriller, but there was more of it here than I preferred, and it left me with a slightly queasy feeling.

The book concludes in a very satisfying manner, and aside from the slight queasiness, I felt good, righteous, and anti-consumption and anti-development for having read it. So, all in all, it was a good read, but not nearly as inspiring as I had hoped.
July 15,2025
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Excellent Florida satire!

It truly is a remarkable piece that offers a unique perspective on the state. The cast of characters is diverse and engaging, each bringing their own quirks and personalities to the story. The humorous scenarios of ecoterrorism add an element of absurdity that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

However, it must be noted that there are a few scenes that could have been omitted. These moments seemed to drag on a little longer than necessary, perhaps detracting slightly from the overall pacing of the narrative.

Despite these minor flaws, the satire remains very wacky and entertaining. It manages to capture the essence of Florida in a way that is both hilarious and incisive. Whether you're a native of the state or simply an interested observer, this satire is sure to provide a good laugh and leave you with plenty to think about.

Overall, it's a great piece of work that showcases the creativity and talent of the author. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and engaging read.
July 15,2025
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This novel vividly narrates the story of what transpires when Twilly Spree decides to take vengeance on a serial litterer and game hunter. And let me tell you, it's not a pretty sight!

However, it is also quite funny, featuring over-the-top characters placed in situations that are alarmingly realistic. It serves as a powerful reminder of the arduous battle we have been waging for a long time now. We are striving to obtain respect for the earth and gain acknowledgement of the crucial fact that the earth is not merely here for us to despoil, regardless of how lucrative that might seem.

This book makes us pause and reflect on our actions towards the environment. It shows us that our choices have consequences, and we need to be more responsible stewards of this planet. It's a wake-up call that we cannot afford to ignore.
July 15,2025
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Something that I have come to anticipate from this author is that his plots are truly unconventional. Many of the events that unfolded throughout this book caught me completely off guard. However, I found numerous moments to be uproariously funny. All of the endearing characters were indeed likable, and many of the malevolent characters were easy to despise. I had a particular fondness for Twilly. Although he had a somewhat psychotic approach to things, his intentions were undoubtedly pure. I adored the relationship between him and Desie, as well as the charming dog. The conclusion was definitely a bit ambiguous, leaving me to wonder what kind of chaos Twilly and the Governor will create in the future.

July 15,2025
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An excellent respite from the last couple of weeks of the semester! This was a hoot.


I truly adored the ecological undertones present within this book. Sadly, they remain alarmingly relevant even to this very day. Twilly, without a doubt the best character, possesses an extremely strong moral compass. He has the remarkable ability to become angered in the most appropriate and justifiable way. He engages in a battle to make a litterbug, a spineless bitch, and a lobbyist recognize the true extent of their evil. However, this proves to be a challenging task as the lobbyist is as dense as the thick smoke billowing from the California and Australia forest fires.


Throughout the story, we encounter some truly fun characters, and there is also a delightful little romance that adds an extra layer of charm.


Overall, I would rate this book a perfect 10/10 and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.

July 15,2025
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This book was truly quite funny, yet it was also rather gross.

The extremely interesting descriptions of the people we envision existing, such as the wealthy conservative game-hunting politician with a trophy wife, and the psychotic environmental terrorist with an anger management problem, and so on, crafted an outrageous and dark comedy.

Nevertheless, there was something about the book that didn't sit well with me.

Maybe I'm just overly serious, but reading about such dysfunctional people and the chaos they cause among each other and in the world around them simply leaves me feeling rather depressed.

It's as if the constant portrayal of this mayhem and disorder takes a toll on my emotions.

While I can appreciate the humor and the unique characters, the overall tone and content of the book seem to have a negative impact on my state of mind.

Perhaps it's a matter of personal preference, but for me, this book didn't quite hit the mark in terms of leaving me with a positive or fulfilling reading experience.

July 15,2025
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What I truly enjoy about Carl Hiaasen's books is that the bad guys are unfailingly bad and ultimately receive their well-deserved comeuppance.

"Sick Puppy" is no exception. It's not a spoiler to state that the antagonists are极其恶劣, and the justice they encounter is especially appropriate.

Twilly Spree, a trust fund child with an abundance of free time, decides to become an eco-terrorist and teach those who don't respect the earth a lesson. One day, while driving on the highway, he spots a litterbug - a persistent and unrepentant one at that. Twilly follows him, and soon, one event leads to another until he kidnaps the litterbug's dog, falls in love with the litterbug's wife's beautiful neck, and now has to be on guard against corrupt Florida politicians and their henchmen.

"Sick Puppy" is mostly an enjoyable read that adheres closely to Hiaasen's formula. However, having read my fourth or fifth of his novels, I must admit that what I like about his works is also what I'm beginning to dislike: the formulaic plots and characters. All the bad guys are typically despicable, greedy, stupid, and unpleasant. Although I was pleasantly surprised in this novel to see that Palmer Stoat, the revolting litterbug (among other negative traits), loves his dog enough to endanger his money-making deals to save him (Boodle/McGuinn). This added some depth to Stoat. The Barbie doll-loving freak was a bit too much for me - kind of funny but overly exaggerated. Hiaasen's heroes are more like anti-heroes as, while they may be amusing and you do root for them, they aren't exactly role models and probably wouldn't make great friends. I liked Skink; I don't think he'd make a good houseguest (with all that roadkill cuisine), but he is motivated by love, and who can't relate to that? McGuinn was perhaps the best character, and I enjoyed seeing the story from his enthusiastic doggy perspective.

My issue with Hiaasen is that after a while, I wonder - why do I want to spend so much reading time with these awful people doing awful things? While the bad guys always get what they deserve (and the best part of this book is the absolutely great way these particular jerks meet their fates), the overall message of the book is negative: politicians are always corrupt, the government is always inept, pretty much everyone is selfish and out for themselves (sometimes even the "good" guys), and reading 400+ pages of that can be disheartening (particularly now when just about everything seems like a mess). While I do find his books fun and easy to read, the formula is starting to wear thin. I've requested his new book, Squeeze, from the library, but that may be the last one of his books I read for a while. Perhaps absence will make me regain the fondness I once had for Hiaasen's novels.

July 15,2025
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This wasn't my favorite Hiaasen, but it was very entertaining nonetheless.

Living in Florida, I can completely envision all of the settings Hiaasen describes. The lush landscapes, the bustling cities, and the unique charm of the Sunshine State come to life through his words. Unfortunately, I can also envision most of the corruption he describes. It's a sad reality that seems to be all too prevalent in our society.

The characters are written a bit large and excessively weird, it's true. But that's part of Hiaasen's charm. They add a touch of eccentricity and humor to the story. And despite their quirks, the baseline corruption level is 100% believable.

I have to say, from the moment Twilly was first introduced, I had a feeling that he would somehow meet up with Clint Tyree (a character from previous books). And I was not disappointed. Their meeting and subsequent partnership was just as entertaining as I had imagined. It added an extra layer of depth and excitement to the story.

I also enjoyed the short segments written from "McGuinn"'s point of view. They were hilarious and made me laugh out loud. It was like reading about my neighbor's lab, which has a personality all its own.

I just wish the epilogue shared what happened to Desie. I was left wondering about her fate and hoping for a bit more closure. But overall, it was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to fans of Hiaasen's work.
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