This is officially the Hiaasen book that has truly demonstrated his genius to me.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would not only pick up a book about bass fishing, but also find myself thoroughly enjoying it.

This book, with all its elements related to bass, is a hysterically funny mystery of the highest quality.

Pro-Sports fishermen are mysteriously dropping dead, and a renegade photographer/PI has been hired to uncover the truth and prove that there are cheaters in the Bass Tournaments.

Adding to the intrigue, a loveable crazy hermit turns out to have hidden depths that are more than meets the eye.

This is a delightfully vicious romp that takes aim at the pro-fishermen circuit, politicians, the typical “good ol’ whiteboy” mentality, trailer parks, high school sports fanatics, and fashion models, among others.

His hysterical wit and sharp double-edged tongue make this a read that will surely bring tears of laughter to your eyes.

I have only read two other Hiaasen books, and each one seems to be funnier than the last.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in search of a funny, well-written read.

Read it even if you despise fishing.

I, for one, can't stand fishing, yet I couldn't put this book down until I had finished it.

I had saved this paperback from a library sale for a proverbial rainy day. And when I inevitably came down with a fall cold, I was glad to have just the right thing to take my mind off sneezing and sniffling. Hiaasen has been a favorite of mine for a long time. His jaundiced view of modern America, especially Florida, aligns with mine, not to mention his somewhat perverse sense of humor.

Certain elements are always present in a Carl Hiaasen novel. There's a likeable, down-on-his-luck hero in the vein of Jim Rockford. There's also a semi-deranged back-to-nature type who is not as crazy as he appears. Then there are the malevolent, greedy, and unscrupulous bad guys who are either developers or in cahoots with them. Additionally, there's a lovely, intelligent, and gutsy love interest, as well as rednecks and low-lifes in all their dimwitted glory.

"Double Whammy" has all of these elements, built on the deceptively simple premise of a bass-fishing tournament. Have you ever wondered about those TV fishing programs? Who watches them and why? Well, this engaging novel targets certain types of bubbas and their obsession with big boats, big fish, and big boobs. It's all done in the best Hiaasen tradition.

When I am in search of a truly entertaining book, Hiaasen never fails to deliver.

His characters are outrageously exaggerated depictions of the happenings of the time, and the plots take readers on a delightfully fun journey.

In 2020, it was truly hilarious to read this 1989 novel and notice the little things that have changed over the years. Nevertheless, the work remains highly relevant and continues to capture my imagination.

Skink is rapidly emerging as one of my favorite fictional characters. I thoroughly enjoy revisiting his brilliant and often zany antics.

For the time being, I am delving into a deeper and more serious book. However, I will surely return to Hiaasen whenever I desire to have a few giggles and be completely amazed by the actions of his characters.

His unique writing style and ability to create such engaging stories make him a go-to author for lighthearted and entertaining reads.

I look forward to exploring more of his works in the future and experiencing the joy and laughter they bring.

Whether it's the crazy characters or the unexpected plot twists, Hiaasen always manages to keep me entertained from start to finish.

Carl Hiaasen is an author who is renowned for his unique style. He is always funny, presenting outlandish and over-the-top stories that are sure to captivate readers.

In this particular book, there are numerous laugh-out-loud lines that will have you chuckling from start to finish. His writing is filled with wit and humor, making it a joy to read.

However, it is important to note that Carl Hiaasen also has his biases. His environmentalism and liberalism can sometimes be a bit overbearing. But despite this, the book is still well worth the read.

The engaging plot, colorful characters, and hilarious dialogue more than make up for any potential biases. So if you're looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read, this book by Carl Hiaasen is definitely one to consider.

My second encounter with Carl Hiaasen's works was truly an adventure. After reading "Stormy Weather," I was so intrigued by Captain Skink, the most captivating character in the book, that I went back to his debut in "Double Whammy." To my surprise, I ended up learning an abundance about bayou fishing, despite my initial lack of interest in the sport. Hiaasen has a remarkable talent for transforming what might seem like a placid and uninteresting pastime into a thrilling and deadly chase. I can vividly imagine the book's trailer, with The Beach Boys' "Bass Fishing in the USA" playing in the background and a video sequence cut similar to the opening credits of the movie "Top Secret."

The lampooning and sarcasm that I anticipated were indeed present throughout the story. However, the laughs were often accompanied by a sense of guilt, as the issues of environmental degradation and political corruption hit too close to home. In terms of structure, the book is inspired by the classic detective genre, with a down-on-his-luck gumshoe who starts on an ostensibly easy job but soon finds himself caught up in a major conspiracy. R J Decker makes a believable protagonist, and I was predisposed to like him due to his career as a freelance photographer.
The novel's charm lies in its wacky characters and the absurd situations they find themselves in. Skink, with his larger-than-life personality, is the main chaos-inducing element, closely followed by the brave ethnic patrolmen, Jim Tile and Al Garcia. The cast is further enhanced by some dangerously volatile rednecks, TV evangelists, chiropractors, plutocrats with a fishing hobby, femme fatales, and the occasional bulldog.
Overall, I enjoyed the ride, but I couldn't help but notice that the plot became a bit thin and contrived towards the end. It seemed as if the author was more interested in scoring karma points by arranging spectacular closures and righteous revenge on the evildoers, rather than focusing on the actual story. Nevertheless, it's okay because Skink is such a fun character to follow, as long as you don't have to sample his roadkill cuisine.

__________________________
You should have seen the one that got away!

I can understand the allure of sports like baseball, basketball, and football. I myself enjoy watching them. I have a fair idea about why people like soccer too, perhaps it's the excitement it brings. But I'm truly baffled by the fact that so many people enjoy watching others sit in a boat fishing.

Professional bass fishing is indeed a legitimate sport and plays a significant role in Double Whammy. (In fact, the book's title is the name of a fishing lure.) Hiaasen not only criticizes this least exciting spectator sport (next to box opening on Tik-Tok) but also takes aim at his pet peeves: Florida real estate developers and the so-called faux-miracle working, TV evangelical rattlesnake preachers.

As the novel commences, Decker, a down-on-his-luck private detective, is offered a fortune to prove that the king of all professional bass fishermen is cheating in tournaments. Decker travels to the lake where the next tournament is set to take place and hires a rather unusual character named Skink as his fishing guide. Skink is a giant, green-eyed, 6 foot 6, long-haired, and seemingly crazy man. And then, the bodies start to pile up.

Skink makes appearances in several of Hiaasen's novels, but this is the first one where he truly shines, and it's my favorite portrayal of him. In Double Whammy, Skink is as unpredictable as a Canadian dollar, and he terrifies his partner Decker.

Murder is often not only horrific but also dumb, a fact that the author Carl Hiaasen is very familiar with. By closely reading his local newspaper, he has been able to extract those delicious stories of Florida mayhem that have made him famous. In my opinion, these stories almost seem to write themselves. However, Hiaasen is able to add those fictional touches that make the horrific and murderous stupidity behind many of the crimes somewhat fun to read about. Truth can indeed be stranger than fiction, especially in the State of Florida.

"Double Whammy," written in 1987, is the first of several books by Hiaasen that features the character Skink. Skink is a mysterious Everglades hermit who, despite a touch of insanity, can take care of himself. Given his chosen place of residence - a shack deep in the wilds of southern Florida - it's not hard to understand his disaffection with humanity. After all, all four walls of his home are bent under the weight of classic books of literature, philosophy, and history.

The main character, R. J. Decker, has the physique of a linebacker but actually worked as a newspaper photographer until a small incident caused by his outsized rage when angry forced him to explore other ways to earn income. A felony conviction significantly narrowed his legitimate job offers and steady paychecks. As the book begins, Decker is being interviewed by a potential client who wants to hire him as a private detective, one of his new careers. Fortunately, liking your employers isn't a requirement for being hired, because rich Dennis Gault is an evil SOB. Gault also has a gorgeous sister who will do anything for her brother, and I mean anything.

Dennis Gault's main interest is fishing tournaments, specifically those involving largemouth bass. Being wealthy, he doesn't care about the huge cash awards that tournament winners receive. He loves the thrill of competition! But he hates fishing cheaters with a passion. Literally. Fortunately, all he wants from Decker is to find out how a competitor, Dickie Lockhart, is cheating. However, while Decker has a contact in Harney County, where the next tournament will be held, he knows nothing about fishing. The contact, a newspaper owner named Ott Pickney, refers him to Skink, a local Everglades guide and madman, to help him learn about bass fishing. Skink also knows how to cook roadkill. He loves eating roadkill, especially opossum. Waste not, want not.

Dickie Lockhart, the host of a well-known and popular TV fishing show, is winning many largemouth bass fishing contests, usually by catching huge 30-pound bass. Gault has closely examined those fish and noticed that they are actually long dead, not freshly caught. The sport advertisers love that Lockhart wins all the time and compete with each other to give him free fishing products to advertise on his show for a fee. It's clear why Lockhart is cheating, but not how.

Lockhart is actually an employee of a TV evangelist, Reverend Charles Weeb. Weeb created the fishing program and runs it on his television station, the Outdoor Christian Network, along with his evangelical religious show. Weeb has had a colorful past, but luckily for him, he finally found a lucrative scam - evangelism. Now he is branching out into real estate and is in the middle of building and selling new houses in the Everglades for fishing sports lovers. He doesn't need any scandals that might put off buyers. His financial situation isn't good at the moment. Weeb can barely cover the expenses of his hooker habit! And a detective like Decker looking around for cheating is making him nervous. You don't want the Reverend feeling nervous. So, he knows a couple of local thugs who worship Lockhart - and violence.

The Double Whammy is a popular fishing lure, reputed to be a favorite of bass. It's a skirted spinnerbait with twin silver spoons and a hook. However, the luster of its reputation takes a significant hit when the body of another investigator previously hired by Lockhart is pulled from a local bass fishing lake.

Oh oh.

Disclosure: as a kid, I used to fish for trout - and oh my goodness, does fresh trout taste good when pan-fried! Just saying. Too bad water pollution and over-fishing are destroying the habitats of all fish.

Humanity is as dumb as Hiaasen makes his fictional characters out to be. To me, there is more non-fiction than fiction in the author's humorous novels.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Double Whammy. After delving into a couple of the later books in Carl Hiaasen’s Skink series, I decided to go back to the beginning. I must say, I wasn’t let down. However, I do believe that Hiaasen has improved over time and really hit his stride as he progressed.

Not only does this story explain Skink’s origins, but it also showcases many of Hiaasen’s trademarks. There are the bad guys who are hell-bent on destroying Florida’s precious natural habitat and wildlife for their own sleazy gain. Political corruption rears its ugly head as well. We have people with obsessions, in this case, bass fishing. And then there are the decent people who are threatened but manage to take sweet revenge on the scumbags. Hiaasen is a master at presenting serious issues in a witty and engaging manner. It’s all done with his usual humor and excellent storytelling skills, making the book both gripping and highly amusing in certain parts.

Perhaps the book could have benefited from a bit of tightening up in a few areas, and the wit isn’t quite as dry and biting as it is in some of his later works. Nevertheless, it’s still great fun to read. Hiaasen is an outstanding writer, and as always, I was carried along on an enjoyable literary journey.

This may not be Carl Hiaasen at his absolute best, but it’s still far superior to most other books in the genre. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

This is the latest of Hiaasen's books that I have read. I rediscovered him through a second-hand bookstore and have been really enjoying his works ever since.

When I first became interested in him, I had to visit the library and check out all of his other books. And I haven't stopped reading his works since then. This is quite unlike me, especially because I find it very difficult to read "location authors" when the book is set in a place that I have never been to.

However, this book (like his previous ones) is really easy to read. The characters are brilliant, and it is very witty. There is also a bit of gruesomeness to it. I would recommend this book to anyone, but I would suggest starting with another one of his books as I felt that this wasn't his best. I also felt that the ending was a bit lacking. Maybe it needed another couple of chapters to properly conclude the story.

Overall, I still enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more of Hiaasen's works in the future.

Such good characters and I really like his writing style!

These characters are truly remarkable. They are vividly portrayed, each with their own unique personalities and traits. It's as if they come alive on the pages, captivating my imagination and drawing me into their world.

Moreover, the author's writing style is simply enchanting. It flows smoothly, with a rhythm and cadence that makes reading a pleasure. The words are carefully chosen, painting a vivid picture in my mind and evoking a wide range of emotions.

I find myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put the book down. I can't wait to see what adventures the characters will embark on next and how their stories will unfold.

Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with both the characters and the writing style. It's a combination that makes for a truly unforgettable reading experience.

I have several favorite authors. Martin O'Brien, Lee Child, and Tim Weaver are three of them.每当听到他们其中一人有新书出版，我总是非常兴奋。

I'll mark it in my diary and rush to the bookshop on the publication day.然而，在这个名单上排名第一的作者是卡尔·希亚森。

Recently, we were in Florida visiting friends who live near Jacksonville.我顺便去了百万书店，只是想第一次逛逛美国的书店，并打算给自己买几本喜欢的书作为纪念品。

I first read "Double Whammy" about a decade ago, and I had forgotten how funny it is.对话非常精彩，人物也相当出色。

RJ Decker, the private eye still in love with his ex-wife. Skink, the half-blind and half-mad hermit with a taste for roadkill and a showercap on his head, who just happens to be an ex-Governor of the State.牧师Weeb，一个喜欢只穿着渔裤的女人的电视福音传道者。Jim Tile，一个黑人州警，也是Skink的好朋友。Thomas Curl，一个精神变态的红脖子，手臂上还挂着一只慢慢腐烂的比特犬的头。还有所有的鲈鱼渔民和红脖子们……

The story is about cheating in bass fishing tournaments and the Reverend Weeb's plan to build a Christian development of town houses. But it's so much more. It's a hilarious and brilliant tale that keeps you entertained from start to finish.

The cast of outrageous characters presented here is truly something to behold.

These individuals seem as if they could have walked right out of the vibrant and colorful landscapes of South Florida or Jersey.

There's the flamboyant fashionista with an ever-changing wardrobe of the most eye-catching ensembles.

Then there's the loud and boisterous tough guy, always ready to throw down a challenge.

The smooth-talking con artist is also part of the mix, with his charm and wit used to deceive those around him.

And let's not forget the kooky artist, whose unique creations and eccentric behavior add a touch of madness to the group.

Together, they form a cast of characters that are both entertaining and captivating, making you wonder what kind of crazy adventures they'll get into next.

Whether it's in the sunny beaches of South Florida or the bustling streets of Jersey, these outrageous characters are sure to make an impact wherever they go.