R.J. Decker, a down-on-his-luck photographer, has now turned private investigator. He is hired by Dennis Gault to determine if Dickie Lockhart is cheating as he keeps winning bass tournament after bass tournament.

Who would have thought there was such a significant amount of money to be made in fishing tournaments? R.J. teams up with a local hermit to take down the so-called King of Bass. The show of the King of Bass runs on a Christian broadcast station owned by Charles Weeb, who has a dream of building a Christian community on the swamp land in the Everglades.

Carl Hiaasen is truly remarkable in constructing terrific and imaginative plots. He also has the gift of creating characters that one can truly envision vividly in their mind. His stories are filled with unique twists and turns that keep the readers engaged from start to finish. The combination of interesting characters and exciting storylines makes his works a joy to read.

Another hilarious adventure unfolds in the Everglades with the batty, "Skink", the former Governor of Florida.

Skink is hell-bent on assisting a detective who is looking into a suspected bass fishing heist. The detective is rather skeptical of this cantankerous, ill-tempered, and homeless fellow. However, it turns out that Skink has some insights that might just help him crack the case.

Skink is truly one of a kind. He is insanely intelligent and perhaps the most outrageously offensive character I've ever come across in reading. Nevertheless, I'm completely charmed by his deranged and wacky adventures.

In this story, I also picked up a great deal of knowledge about bass fishing. So, if that's your cup of tea, you're bound to love this one. It's a wild ride filled with laughter, mystery, and a touch of the absurd.

Overall, it's a highly entertaining read that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

This book is truly a glorious representation of its era.

It immerses you fully in the trashiness that is Florida, and then adds an additional layer of the distinct trashiness of the 80s on top.

The pacing is extremely fast, offering no break for you to catch your breath.

Yet, miraculously, it manages to remain laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish.

However, I must admit that I could have done with fewer racial slurs.

Despite this drawback, I would still rate this book 3.5 stars, rounded up.

The overall experience it provides is engaging and entertaining, making it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy a bit of trashy fun with a touch of nostalgia.

It's a book that will keep you hooked and leave you with a smile on your face, even if it does have a few rough edges.

I have been a die-hard fan of Carl Hiaasen ever since I laid my hands on his very first book, Tourist Season.

Before we tied the knot, my wife had the opportunity to hear him speak at a Journalism convention, and coincidentally, Tourist Season had just been released. She wasted no time in purchasing it, and we both delved into its pages with great enthusiasm.

During our honeymoon, I devoured Double Whammy. It was an excellent read that had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions. His books have this unique charm that always manages to tickle my funny bone.

Later on, my wife, being the wonderful and thoughtful person she is, sent the book off to Carl Hiaasen and surprised me with it for my birthday. When I opened the cover, I was overjoyed to find a personal message written inside. It read, "To Lance, Best wishes from Florida! Carl Hiaasen 12-94. P.S. Skink lives!"

This simple inscription made my day and further solidified my love for Carl Hiaasen's work. Long live Skink!

I have a great affection for this author.

This book, which is the very first installment of the Skink series, is truly hilarious.

It delves into the crazy realm of competitive fishing. Who could have imagined that such a thing even existed?

The book features the typical diverse and motley crew of characters, with most of them being a little bit crazy.

Everything culminates in a fishing tournament that is bound to be remembered.

If you are a fan of this author, then this is undoubtedly one of his finer works.

It offers a unique and entertaining perspective on the world of competitive fishing, filled with humorous situations and engaging characters.

Whether you are interested in fishing or simply looking for a good laugh, this book is definitely worth checking out.

So, give it a try and see for yourself why this author has such a following.

As much of a loyal Florida boy as I am,

it strikes me as a little unusual that I waited this long to read a book by the more well-known of the Florida-centric authors.

However, I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

I can clearly see why Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen are often lumped together.

And in my opinion, it's a good thing.

I truly liked the first Skink novel, and it effortlessly sold me on continuing through the rest of the stories.

That's the great part about being late to a series; you don't have to endure the wait for the new books.

You can simply dive right in and enjoy the entire collection at your own pace.

It's like having a treasure trove of literary adventures waiting for you to explore.

And I, for one, am excited to see where these stories will take me.

Rating: 4.5
Listened to the Audiobook Narrated by: George Wilson

Surprisingly good. I didn't know the author at all. I just happened to see the book on a Daily Deal. What caught my attention was that it contained elements of bass fishing, which is one of my interests. However, as the story unfolded, I found that it wasn't really about the bass fishing itself for most parts. Instead, it simply used fishing as a stage for the actual story line. I think this is a great approach because it allows readers or listeners who may not know or care about fishing to still enjoy the book. The author has created some really awesome characters. Each one is as entertaining as the next, and they all add to the overall charm of the story. The humor in the book is excellent, and the stereo-types are great. Some parts can be described as weird and gross, but in a good way. It all adds to the story and makes it more interesting. The book combines so many different elements such as Mystery, Detective, Murder, Fishing, Private Investigation, Photography, Red-neck, Hill-Billy, Scamming, Cheating, Comedy, Religion, and Racism. You really have no idea which direction it is going in next, which keeps you on the edge of your seat. Although I enjoyed the narrator a lot, there were some odd sounds occasionally. For example, him drinking water, or swallowing/breathing loudly. However, although this was noticeable, it doesn't really change my opinion about the narrator or the book. Overall, I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for an entertaining and unique story.

This article is very entertaining and has a healthy dose of humor. It makes for an enjoyable read.

Maybe in a while, I'll decide to read more of Hiassen's works. However, for the present moment, I'm in the mood for something different.

I'm on the lookout for a new book that can capture my attention and provide a unique reading experience.

There are so many options out there, and I'm excited to explore and discover something that will satisfy my literary cravings.

Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking non-fiction piece, I'm eager to see what lies ahead in my reading journey.

For now, though, I'll continue my search and keep an open mind.

This is Hiaasen's second wacky Florida mystery, and his first to feature former governor and roadkill enthusiast Skink.

It's not so much a traditional mystery as a wild farce that takes place in the world of high stakes bass fishing. That's right, high stakes bass fishing!

The story also delves into land development and the harm that is inflicted on Florida's wildlife in the name of real estate.

At times, it can be quite gross, which might be a bit off-putting. However, despite this, it is still an enjoyable read.

Hiaasen's unique writing style and his ability to create absurd yet engaging characters make this book a must-read for fans of his work.

The combination of mystery, humor, and social commentary makes it a truly entertaining and thought-provoking novel.

Whether you're a fishing enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good laugh, this book has something for everyone.

So, if you're looking for a fun and lighthearted read that will also make you think, give this book a try.

I've read better Carl Hiaasen novels.

Sick Puppy remains my absolute favorite.

Double Whammy, on the other hand, holds significance as it delved into the backstory of Clinton Tyree/Skink.

Moreover, it was centered around bass fishing.

I happened to read it during the days when my brother and nephews were engaged in several days of fishing.

The trout they caught was delicious, but unfortunately, this book was just so-so.

It didn't quite reach the level of excellence that some of his other works have achieved.

Nonetheless, it still had its moments and provided some entertainment.

Perhaps it was the context in which I read it that influenced my perception.

Overall, while it wasn't a standout, it was still a decent read from a talented author.

I first delved into this captivating novel way back in 2003, and it instantly stole my heart.

At that time, I had just stumbled upon the author, whose name, unfortunately, I can never seem to spell accurately due to my dyslexia.

I'm fairly certain that I read all of their works in a rather haphazard order.

Although I forget the exact reason why I decided to reread this particular novel, I'm truly glad that I did.

Skink, one of the characters within the story, is hands down one of the best I've come across in a long while.

I absolutely adore him and his rather strange yet wonderful ways.

This time around, I managed to discover the audiobook version at my local library.

The audiobook is narrated by the talented George K. Wilson, and from the very beginning, he had me completely glued to my headphones.

I simply love his unique rendition of Skink.

If you haven't yet had the pleasure of reading this series or any of the author's novels, I highly recommend that you do so.

You're in for a truly fantastic treat.

I give this novel a solid 4.5 stars and wholeheartedly recommend it to all.

Deep in the brown lakes of Florida, there lives a whopping 29-pound large mouth bass.

Simultaneously, deep within the heart of the fishermen, there lies a murderous heart and the severed head of a pit bull.

In this truly wacky and gory story, Hiaasen takes on a whole cast of characters. There are phony preachers, loose women, gun-toting rednecks, shady politicians, and the rather intriguing sport of Bass Pro Fishing.

While I'm not entirely certain about the murders and the exact reasons why they all began, I did find myself quite liking Skink, who has a penchant for eating road-kill and loves books.

For that particular reason, this book earns a three-star rating from me.

P.S. Do not, under any circumstances, read this book while you are eating. It's just not a good idea!