One of the pull-quotes characterized this as "mordant" - an excellent adjective, if I do say so myself.

It was truly interesting to read this so closely after finishing one of his more recent books. It seems that over the years, his works have become more absurd and even obscene. Additionally, there are fewer genuinely decent people in the later ones. I can attribute the first aspect to skittish editors in his earlier career. However, as for the second, I'm not so sure. The easy and perhaps sad answer is that Mr. Hiaasen is becoming disillusioned with humanity. Or maybe it's just that, as "Always Sunny in Philadelphia" has so well shown us, characters don't have to be good people in order to be likable or for us to be interested in the plot. Even though it has been accepted wisdom that you need to have "good people" for the audience to enjoy it. Or perhaps it's a combination of both?

This particular work is less grim and marginally more cheerful than "Bad Monkey". It really did draw me in and give me exactly what I desire from this sort of book - an interesting plot and characters liberally salted with satire and humor. It keeps the reader engaged from start to finish, with its unique blend of elements that make it a truly enjoyable read.

Just when I thought I could accurately anticipate all of Carl Hiaasen's ingenious plot twists, this book astonishingly threw me a curveball that had me perched nervously on the edge of my seat until the very last page!

RJ Decker, a former convict, has made a transition from photography to the realm of private investigating. The majority of his cases typically revolve around rather mundane matters. For instance, a suspicious spouse might be inquiring about their partner's fidelity, or an insurance company could be casting doubts on the validity of someone's claim. So, when he is engaged to prove that one of the most prominent bass fishing stars is cheating, he hardly expects anything out of the ordinary. However, he soon finds himself irresistibly sucked into the corrupt and murky world of bass fishing as bodies start to mysteriously wash ashore. As Decker begins to realize that he is in way over his head, he enlists the assistance of a borderline-insane hermit whose favorite meal consists of roadkill. Throughout the course of this novel, Decker will encounter a vivid and diverse cast of characters. There is a Jewish TV evangelist, a former colleague with the alter ego "Davey Dillo," and a man with a pitbull head dangling off his arm. The stakes are incredibly high, with the prize being far more significant than just a hefty hawg.

In classic Hiaasen style, this book is a fascinating and eclectic collection of characters and happenings. I'm not typically a huge mystery reader, mainly because I often need to be able to set a book aside and not have my stomach tied up in nervous knots. But Hiaasen's novels are always an absolute delight to read. They manage to be lighthearted while still grappling with serious and thought-provoking topics. I'm also not a fan of those "life's not fair" type of endings, and his books always leave me feeling thoroughly satisfied. The best aspect of his books is how they transport me back to the swamps of my youth, vividly reminding me of the unique beauty of my home.

Exactly the sort of absurd story my wrung-out brain needed. It's like a wild ride that takes you to a completely different world. All the characters are over-the-top, each one more exaggerated than the last. The body count left in the wake of the fishing tournament frenzy is truly staggering. You can't help but be shocked by the number of people who meet their untimely ends. And then there's the number of characters who turn out to be criminals. It's baffling how many of them have dark secrets and illegal activities hidden beneath their seemingly ordinary exteriors. But perhaps the most surprising thing is the number of women who want to have sex with our protagonist. It's almost comical how many of them are vying for his attention. And yet, through it all, the number of f's given is zero. Our protagonist remains calm and collected, navigating this crazy world with a sense of humor and a touch of absurdity.

This book is extremely goofy, yet it is filled with plenty of twists and some rather creative violence.

As I delved deeper into the story, by the end, I found myself emotionally attached to a specific fish. This, I believe, is a clear sign of a worthwhile read.

It's my first encounter with Carl Hiaasen's work, but now I truly "get it." I think the idea of reading one of his books every summer seems like a great strategy going forward.

The unique blend of humor, unexpected plot turns, and the ability to make me care about a fish is truly remarkable. I'm looking forward to exploring more of his works in the future and seeing what other crazy and engaging stories he has to offer.

Overall, this book has left a lasting impression on me and has piqued my interest in Carl Hiaasen's writing. I can't wait to see what the next summer's read will bring.

Fact is stranger than fiction.

In Carl Hiaasen's case, this may indeed be up for debate. His fiction surely flavours fact in a unique way. As an ecological champion native to Florida, he writes what he has lived through. Among his multiple protagonists, at least one will be employed in the field of journalism and serve as the straight man.

These are not traditional heroes. They are swept away into a never-ending parade of Sunshine State oddballs who might very well be your neighbour. There's the misanthropic retiree in the overpriced condo, the immigrant drifter, and the inland redneck who is the bane of state trooper Jim Tile. Others are larger-than-life caricatures of the forces that be on the edge of the Everglades, always ready to push virgin land back in the name of progress with the bulldozer.

It's hard not to warm up to Hiaasen's daft eco-Rambo, Skink, who makes his memorable debut here. As for "Double Whammy", it's also hard not to take a word of caution as a hobbyist in whatever sphere (be it WWII re-enactment or something else). Don't overdo it. Don't be defined by one thing in life, such as a huge largemouth bass. If a hermit can hold onto a first edition of Marquez' "Cien años de soledad", we can live a more diverse existence. Even without a "Fight Club" to separate us from our professional roles.

We should strive to embrace the multifaceted nature of life and not let one single aspect consume us entirely. Hiaasen's works offer a humorous and yet thought-provoking look at the world around us, making us question our own choices and perspectives.

In the always wacky state of Florida, RJ Decker, a private investigator striving to make ends meet, has landed a high-paying assignment. He is tasked by an arrogant sports fisherman named Dennis Gault to catch his rival, Dickie Lockhart, cheating in a high-stakes fishing tournament. What initially seems like a straightforward job quickly spirals into a complex murder conspiracy involving a psychotic eco-terrorist, a seductive blackmailer, and a shady televangelist, among others. Nobody is immune to this chaotic web of storytelling, and that's precisely how Carl Hiaasen likes it.

One aspect I truly adore about Mr. Hiaasen's books is his unwavering reliability in delivering top-notch entertainment. I have yet to encounter a subpar Hiaasen novel, and "Double Whammy" is no exception. It's especially refreshing when compared to a previous book I read by another author, which was so abysmal that I couldn't even make it to the halfway point. There are numerous elements to appreciate in a Hiaasen book, such as his extensive knowledge of the law, his vivid and colorful characters, the satisfying comeuppances, or simply being completely hooked until the very end (much like the twenty-plus pound bass that the fishermen in this tournament are vying to catch).

When it comes to colorful characters, none stands out more than Clinton Tyree, also known as Skink. This former governor of Florida had noble intentions of running the state with honesty, which meant拒绝接受 special interest groups' money and坚守 his democratic beliefs. However, he was ousted from office by his corrupt opponents and subsequently went delightfully insane. Now a nomadic eco-terrorist, he roams around wearing a shower cap and a rain suit, devising creative ways to take down his adversaries. If this already sounds like a captivating character profile to you, you're in for a treat, as Skink is a recurring character throughout much of Carl Hiaasen's body of work.

And, of course, wherever Skink goes, black highway patrolman Jim Tile is never far behind. Rest assured, as Jim Tile and Skink are actually close friends who assist each other for the greater good. Mr. Tile endures a great deal of racially-charged abuse from the people he pulls over on the highway, yet he manages to maintain his composure and serious demeanor. He only resorts to force when it is absolutely necessary, and in such cases, his amateur wrestling background proves useful in reducing a racist redneck's arm to a limp noodle. To be honest, we need more law enforcement officers like Jim Tile and fewer murderers like Darren Wilson. If black readers ever seek a hero to look up to, they can always count on Jim Tile to serve as their role model.

Thank you, Carl Hiaasen, for presenting me with another outstanding crime novel and for being a consistent influence on my own writing. There is a reason why you are one of my favorites. In fact, there are many reasons, but I won't enumerate them all here, for fear that this brief review might turn into a novel of its own (and not one as entertaining as "Double Whammy"). I have set a personal goal for myself to read through Mr. Hiaasen's entire collection. I have already raced through more than half of it, so getting through the remainder should be a breeze. This delightful and enjoyable novel earns a passing grade!

I'm awarding it a full 5 stars.

This is because it brought Skink into my life, along with dozens of other vivid images and hilarious scenes. These are the kind of things that I know will make me chuckle and smile for the rest of my days.

However, I must admit that at times, I found myself a bit lost in the numerous subplots.

Despite this minor drawback, I still believe this piece is truly remarkable.

In a few years' time, I'm certain I'll need to re-read it again.

Doing so will allow me to fully appreciate and understand all the nuances and details that I might have missed the first time around.

I can't wait to embark on this literary journey once more and re-experience the joy and laughter that this work has brought me.

It's truly a gem that I'll cherish for a long time to come.

Listening to a book on CD can be a great way to pass the time, and this particular one is quite entertaining.

Although it is essentially a crime type story, there are funny quirks here and there that keep you engaged. The story takes place in Florida, and I couldn't help but laugh out loud when one of the cops had a bad day and thought all he wanted to do was retire and move to Ocala! Hahaha!

Surprisingly, I also learned more about bass fishing than I really cared to know, but it was all part of the charm. The characters in the story are truly lovable, and I understand that Skink, one of the main characters, returns in "Stormy Weather". I definitely need to add that to my want to read list.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other adventures Skink gets into and how the story unfolds. Overall, this book on CD has been a great listen so far.

I truly love Miami. It's not just a place for me; it's a passion. I have a great fondness for watching TV shows that are set in Miami, being physically present in Miami, and also reading books that revolve around this vibrant city. The vivid imagery presented in this particular book has the power to transport me right there. Just for that remarkable ability, this book automatically earns 2 stars from me.

The beginning of the book is a bit of a challenge as it introduces one white male after another, and their rather generic names make it quite difficult to distinguish and sort them out. However, Hiaasen then bravely delves into and showcases the blatant racism that occurs within the old boys' club of the south.

Despite the initial hiccup, the plot of the book is solid. There are cliffhangers one after another, which have a magnetic pull on me, constantly making me eager to turn the pages and find out what happens next. It keeps me engaged and on the edge of my seat throughout the reading experience.

Carl never disappoints.

As "Bad Monkey" is also known as "Yancy - Part 1" and "Razor Girl" is also known as "Yancy - Part 2", then "Double Whammy" should be considered as "Pre-Yancy".

Yancy is not part of the cast in this book, but several favorites from the other books do get their start here. It is really nice to learn more of their back story.

This gives readers a deeper understanding and connection to these characters.

We can see how they developed and what events led them to where they are in the other books.

It adds an extra layer of depth and richness to the overall series.

Carl's writing style is engaging and keeps the readers hooked from start to finish.

Even without Yancy in this particular installment, the story is still full of excitement, mystery, and interesting characters.

Overall, "Double Whammy" is a great addition to the series and a must-read for fans of Carl's work.

Dated now with no cell phones or pocket video cameras, yet I can't forget the pictures Hiaasen vividly draws in my head.

There's the tall, dirty bum wearing a shower cap and a fluorescent jacket, sporting a long grey braid and having perfect teeth, who survives by finding and dining only on road kill.

Then there's the young photographer, endowed with lots of skill but unfortunately a violent temper, slogging through the swamp in his Miami white pants and sparkling dock shoes.

The redneck bass fishermen with their huge boats and tiny intellects are also memorable. They are so desperate to get the biggest fish that they are willing to kill.

And let's not forget the corpulent televangelist with a penchant for strippers and the supposed healing of farm animals!

Throughout the story, there are great laughs. Hiaasen's skill with dry humor and irony is truly remarkable, adding an extra layer of entertainment and depth to the narrative.

It's a world that he creates, filled with unique and unforgettable characters, making it a truly engaging and enjoyable read.

"Double Whammy" by Carl Hiaasen, published by G.P Putnam’s Sons in 1987, falls under the category of Mystery/Thriller/Comedy.

This is Hiaasen's first book featuring the ex-governor of Florida as the main character. After disappearing from office, he is now known as Skink and lives in the Everglades, eating road kill and combating land corruption in Florida.

Amid the highly lucrative sport of bass fishing controlled by TV Evangelist Reverend Charles Weeb, who is attempting to swindle both Florida and his parishioners by building a golf course and condominiums by a lake allegedly filled with bass.

When Weeb is exposed as a fraud, bass fishing cheating and murders begin to occur. New detective R.J. Decker is hired to investigate these incidents and finds himself surrounded by a motley crew including millionaires, hucksters, vamps, politicians, developers, grim killers (one with a dead dog's head attached to his arm), and the mad hermit Skink.

"Double Whammy" offers a fun and engaging romp through Florida politics and environmental concerns, combining great comedy with a satirical mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.