There are some truly hilarious remarks in this story, which manage to bring a smile to the reader's face. However, as the plot progresses, it starts to get a bit in the way.

I find myself wishing that the author could have focused solely on the funny aspects and developed them further. But I understand that creating comedy is no easy feat and requires great skill and talent.

Only the masters of the craft are capable of pulling it off successfully. And while Carl Hiaasen is no doubt a talented writer, when it comes to comedy, he may not always hit the mark.

Nevertheless, I still give this story 6 out of 10 stars for its moments of humor and entertainment value. It has the potential to be even better if the author can find a way to balance the comedy with the plot more effectively.

Overall, it's an enjoyable read that will make you laugh out loud in parts, but it also leaves room for improvement.

This is a truly great book from start to finish.

It is filled with an abundance of hilarious South Florida satire that keeps you entertained throughout.

After reading it, I felt compelled to go back and rewatch the movie. In fact, I don't think I had really watched it properly before, except for perhaps skipping to the boobie scenes way back in my 8th grade year.

This book-turned-movie is probably one of the most accurate adaptations I've ever seen or read. While Carl might have delivered the jokes better in the book, Burt Reynolds' portrayal of Congressman Davie Dilbeck in the movie was simply outstanding and he really should have won an Oscar for it.

The combination of the engaging story in the book and the excellent acting in the movie makes this a must-read and must-watch for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a captivating tale set in the unique world of South Florida.

Banger is a term that can have different meanings depending on the context. In some cases, it refers to a type of sausage that is often associated with British cuisine. These sausages are typically made from ground meat, such as pork or beef, and are seasoned with a variety of spices. They are usually cooked by frying or grilling and are a popular addition to a full English breakfast or a sausage sandwich.

However, the term "banger" can also be used more generally to describe something that is exciting, energetic, or powerful. For example, a banger of a song might be one that has a great beat and gets people dancing. Or a banger of a movie could be one that is full of action and excitement from start to finish.

In some cultures, the term "banger" may also have a negative connotation. For instance, in some inner-city areas, it could be used to refer to a loud and disruptive party or gathering. Overall, the meaning of "banger" can vary widely depending on the situation and the context in which it is used.

Maybe it's a little too overly salacious, even for Hiaasen.

But it's definitely the best Al Garcia book, and probably the best Hiaasen book not featuring the governor. He really hit his stride on this one.

While Stormy Weather is perhaps his peak, this is definitely up there among his best work.

It's tightly-paced.

And while Darrell's golf club is a little too much like Chemo's weedwhacker in Skin Tight mixed with Thomas Curl's dead dog in Double Whammy, it definitely features some nicely-done scenes of family with Erin and her daughter, as well as Garcia and his family.

It's also super that Garcia and Erin have a relationship wherein he treats her like a person, side-stepping Hiaasen's all-too-common "dude obsessed with woman" -- though there's some of that, as well.

The story unfolds with a great deal of excitement and keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that make it a truly enjoyable read.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of Carl Hiaasen and those who enjoy a good mystery with a touch of humor and a lot of heart.

Striptease by Carl Hiaasen. 5 stars

What a truly remarkable read this book is!

I found myself completely engrossed from the very first page and simply couldn't put it down. Carl Hiaasen's unique writing style has an immediate and powerful pull, effortlessly drawing the reader into the captivating story.

The novel is set in the vibrant backdrop of Florida, where we meet Erin, a strong and resourceful woman determined to save her daughter, Angels, from her despicable ex-husband, Darrell Grant. Darrell is the epitome of awfulness, with a laundry list of negative traits. He is a criminal, a thug, a drug addict, and a would-be wife beater, not to mention a terrible father.

In addition to Darrell, Erin has to deal with a perverted congressman, nightmarish in-laws, crippling legal fees, and no-good lawyers, all of which make up the bane of her existence. Fortunately, she has a true friend in Shad, who provides the necessary muscle at the strip club where she works. Shad is not only a fascinating character but also constantly comes up with enterprising ideas to increase his finances.

The story is filled with elements of sabotage, beatings, and murders, making it a thrilling and action-packed read. I particularly loved the way detective Garcia and his wife and family are integrated into the story, adding an extra layer of depth and intrigue. There are numerous other aspects to this book that all tie back to the beginning, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative.

If you're a fan of mystery and crime novels, Striptease has it all. It's a real page-turner that never has a dull moment. I can't wait to explore another book by this talented author.

I had never delved into the works of Carl Hiassen before. For years, I had seen his books gracing the shelves of bookstores and libraries. I was aware that he had a substantial following, so I finally decided to give him a shot.

I had no clue whether this particular book would be a great recommended starting point, but there it was, beckoning me. So, I picked it up and began to read. This author indeed has several series in progress, but this one stands alone as a novel.

Going into it, I was anticipating some sort of hard-boiled crime novel, and that's precisely what it turned out to be.

Just like in many hard-boiled mysteries or crime noir novels, numerous of the supporting characters here have very few redeeming qualities. However, the main character in this novel, Erin Grant, is different. She is an intelligent young woman who, unfortunately, has lost custody of her 4-year-old daughter because she was deemed an unfit mother. True, she earns a living as an exotic dancer to make ends meet, but she works hard at her job and always speaks up for the other girls whenever the slimy bar owner devises some new gimmick to attract paying customers.

We also have a Florida politician who is completely ruled by his sexual desires and has been entirely bought by the sugar cane industry. To add to that, there is an assortment of other characters, including Erin's ex-husband, a drugged-out criminal who steals wheelchairs from elderly and infirm people and sells them (the wheelchairs, not the elderly and infirm themselves) to earn money for his next fix. What a sleazy character!

This was an engaging read, combining a hard-boiled crime plot with a healthy dose of intelligent humor and interesting characters. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Mr. Hiaasen.

Most reviews seem to focus on the humor when it comes to this book, and they're not wrong.

The writing is truly hilarious, filled with witty remarks and comical situations that keep you entertained from start to finish.

However, beneath the laughter lies a story that is actually quite sad.

I found myself getting angry at the difficult situation the main character was in.

Even though I had a smirk on my face while reading it, after putting the book down, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for the character.

This is a great book that manages to balance humor and sadness in a unique way.

The ending was a legitimate shock.

I found myself no longer angry or sad, but rather in a state of surprise.

Although, I did feel the need to apologize on behalf of my gender.

Men suck, and this book really made me realize that.

Overall, it's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh with a touch of sadness.

It’s official!

After now reading 3 of his books, I’m definitely a Carl Hiaasen fan.

Carl Hiaasen is an incredibly talented writer. His works are not only engaging but also filled with a great sense of humour. Each of the three books I’ve read has had its own unique charm and has kept me entertained from start to finish. The way he weaves together interesting storylines and creates vivid characters is truly remarkable. His use of language is also very clever, with witty remarks and humorous situations that always manage to make me laugh. I can’t wait to read more of his books and see what other精彩的 stories he has in store for his readers. Overall, I highly recommend Carl Hiaasen to anyone who enjoys a good laugh and an engaging read.

Erin is engaged in a fierce battle with her ex-husband, Darrell, who is not only her former partner but also the thief of her wheelchair, for the custody of their only child.

Regrettably, this custody fight has led to extremely high lawyer bills, forcing Erin to seek employment at a strip club to cover those expenses.

One fateful night, as Erin is dancing on stage, a drunk man stumbles onto the stage and wraps his arms around her. In an instant, another man charges onto the stage and begins beating the first man with a champagne bottle.

Surprisingly, the man doing the beating is none other than an upstanding U.S. Congressman, David Dilbeck.

I must admit that this might very well be my favorite book by Hiaasen thus far. Although I have only read four of his works, this particular one seems to possess a more intricate and complex storyline compared to the others.

I also have a great affection for some of the characters in the book.

Ordinarily, I do enjoy Hiaasen's environmental perspective, but the interesting thing is that, even though this is likely my favorite among his books, the environmental aspects in this one are really just very minimal background details.

Some of you may have heard of this one since it was turned into a film with Burt Reynolds and Demi Moore (remember when she had long hair!).

At the center of the story is an exotic dancer (not a stripper!) named Erin Grant. She used to work for the FBI, but she had to quit and take up this job to bring in enough money to handle the debt built and building up due to ongoing court proceedings with her ex-husband, Darrell.

Darryll is a druggie and small-time con-artist who specializes in stealing wheelchairs from the elderly and sick. He has managed to cover up his record by signing on to squeal on other area criminals with the local sheriffs, thus getting custody of their daughter Angela.

Things take an interesting twist when Congressman David Lane Dilbeck shows up at the Eager Beaver, where Erin works. He has a history of getting into awkward situations, especially when he drinks. This happens again during this visit. The result is a photograph of him hitting another patron over the head with a magnum of champagne. Granted, Dilbeck was doing it to protect Erin from being pawed, but it led to a significant injury to the other guy. The injury could also be attributed to his reputation if that photo got out. In fact, it does lead to a bit of blackmail that might help Erin.

Erin also works with Shad, the club's bouncer. He is ready to quit the business as he is finding himself numb with the naked girls around them, which isn't ideal for a hetero guy. Throughout, he not only protects Erin but also devises various schemes to get rich through a lawsuit with different big corporations. Unfortunately, fate keeps intervening, often for humorous reasons, to prevent that from happening.

The manager of the Eager Beaver is constantly getting down and dirty to try and compete with the nearby strip joint. This means introducing all kinds of new concepts to his own bar while also setting up schemes to trip up the "enemy." Each of the plans on both sides leads to no shortage of laughter.

Hiaasen does live up to his reputation of fighting for the environment, especially in relation to his home state of Florida. Behind all this is a massive sugar company owned by a pair of Cuban ex-pat brothers. Their business is so corrupt that they have Dilbeck in their pockets, and they are doing everything they can to cheat their workers and show no care for the local environment as they manage their cane crops.

While Hiaasen doesn't shy away from adult themes, this book dives right in with the stripper joint setting. The book is filled with his usual fun humor while also delivering his eco-message. This results in a fun read that is a must for anyone who is a fan of his other works or humorous fiction in general.

The story commences in a rather straightforward manner. A boy named Darrell Grant meets a girl, Erin Grant. They get married, but unfortunately, Darrell chooses drugs and larceny over his wife. As a result, Erin divorces him. In the custody battle, she loses to the sleazy Darrell because he has now become an informant for the cops, and his past record has been wiped clean.

Meanwhile, Erin's mom has been fired from her FBI job due to her husband's activities. She is now reduced to stripping and dancing at a local club called The Eager Beaver. She does this to pay her attorney fees and have a roof over her head as she attempts to win back custody of their daughter, Angela. It should be noted that she only does stage acts and will not do table dances. And don't even think about getting her in the wrestling pit filled with cream corn.

Carl Hiaasen weaves a captivating tale around these two characters. The story also involves Congressman David Lane Dilbeck. By day, he is the chairman of the agricultural committee and a representative with influential friends and wealthy supporters. However, by night, this mild-mannered politician transforms into a drunk and disorderly sex-fiend. He doesn't know when to stop and doesn't care because he has people to clean up the messes he leaves behind.

One night at The Eager Beaver, Dilbeck swings a Korbel champagne bottle at the head of Paul Gruber, who is the guest of honor at a bachelor party. This incident lands Paul in the hospital and catches the attention of Jerry Killian, who is in love with Erin (though the feelings are not reciprocated) and wants to assist her in her custody battle. It also gets the notice of Johnathan Peter Mordecai, a shady lawyer and the cousin of Paul's fiancé, Joyce Mizner. All three contact Dilbeck's office. Killian hopes to coerce the congressman into talking to the judge and reversing the custody decision. Mordecai and Mizner, on the other hand, aim to settle a potentially embarrassing situation out of court. Malcolm J. Moldowsky, known as Moldy to his friends, a power-hungry political fixer, has other plans to keep the congressman out of the papers and away from trouble.

As bodies start to pile up, Detective Al Garcia begins a cat and mouse investigation. None of the clues specifically point to anyone, but Dilbeck, Rojo Farms, and the Sweetheart Sugar Corporation seem to be swirling around in the pool of suspects.

The excellent writing in this story keeps it flowing smoothly. The compelling plot, along with the irrational behavior and interesting decisions made by the characters, will offer you an entertaining and enjoyable read. You'll find yourself wishing the story would continue even after turning the final page. Hiaasen has created characters that you like and would love to know more about.

Florida is truly a house of hilarious horrors.

If one were to live here for just a short while, they would soon discover that the outrageous characters created by Carl Hiaasen are not as far-fetched as they might seem.

"Strip Tease" takes readers on a wild and murderous trip, filled with captivating strippers, unscrupulous lawyers, and crooked, self-serving politicians.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with unexpected twists and turns at every corner.

Hiaasen's vivid descriptions bring the characters and the setting to life, making it easy to imagine oneself in the midst of this crazy and chaotic world.

My complete review can be found at https://johngrecoauthor.com/2018/05/1....

So, if you're looking for a thrilling and entertaining read that will make you laugh out loud, "Strip Tease" is definitely worth checking out.