Chaz is a man who has numerous shortcomings.

He is not adept at marriage, his job, being honest, or even murder. However, he does possess a certain skill in fraud, although it's only for a limited time.

He commits a heinous act by throwing his wife off a cruise ship, but miraculously, she survives. At this point, Chaz finds himself in a world of trouble, which is entirely his own doing.

The author, Carl Hiaasen, has masterfully infused this story with humor, ensuring that the good guys ultimately prevail.

Surprisingly, he even manages to redeem a bad guy through an unconventional relationship.

This engaging read takes you on a quirky journey through the swampy expanse of the Everglades, populated by equally eccentric characters who are certain to keep you entertained from start to finish.

It's a unique and enjoyable literary experience that combines elements of mystery, humor, and redemption in a truly captivating way.

Lầy lội, hề hước, tục tĩu, châm biếm. These are all negative and unethical behaviors that can cause harm to others.

Lying is when someone tells an untruth with the intention to deceive. It can damage trust and relationships.

Cheating is another form of dishonesty, often involving breaking rules or taking shortcuts to gain an advantage. It undermines fairness and hard work.

Stealing is the act of taking something that does not belong to you without permission. It is a violation of someone else's property rights.

Insulting is when someone uses words or actions to disrespect or belittle another person. It can cause emotional pain and humiliation.

We should always strive to be honest, fair, respectful, and law-abiding in our interactions with others. By doing so, we can build stronger and more positive relationships, and contribute to a more harmonious and just society.

I had an interesting book trade with my assistant principal. We both love reading, and when we found out, we decided to swap some books. She said hers were trashy but good, and since I usually get my trashy books from the library, I gave her some literary fiction in return.

This particular book was a great read during the long and seemingly endless global pandemic. It was a ridiculously silly story, but after reading the last page where all the loose ends were neatly tied up, it made me think of a Shakespearean comedy like "Twelfth Night" or even "The Tempest". Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but as Jeanette Winterson did with "The Winter's Tale", I couldn't help but draw these comparisons.

I was really impressed with the quality of the writing, despite the predictable plot. I've been to Florida many times, to the Panhandle, the Keys, and the Everglades. I've also read quite a few books set in Florida, and it always seems to be such a unique and quirky place that it almost becomes a character in the story.

It also reminded me of another book I recently read where the heroine was pushed off a ship. Overall, I think I'll definitely read some more books by Carl Hiaasen.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

I have read several of Hiaasen's books, and while they have their merits, I had to take a break from reading them for a while. The main reason for this was that they all started to seem a bit too alike. Each book seemed to follow a similar formula, with a cast of colorful characters and a plot that involved some sort of environmental or social issue. While this can be engaging and thought-provoking, it also became a bit repetitive after a while.

However, I do think that Hiaasen is a talented writer, and his books do have their strengths. His characters are often well-developed and entertaining, and his writing style is engaging and easy to read. I just felt that I needed to step back and read something else for a while to avoid getting burned out on his work.

Overall, I would still recommend Hiaasen's books to others, especially those who are interested in environmental or social issues. Just be prepared to take a break every now and then if you start to feel like you're reading the same thing over and over again.

Ok, now I get it! And by "it" I mean all the Hiaasen hoopla among those with whom I share a certain brand of humor. This "it" initially baffled me after my first encounter with Carl via Bad Monkey.

We're back in Florida, where even the craziest of characters seem not just plausible but highly probable. Since I'm not exactly trailblazing new territory in the book review world, I'll just give you some quick picks from the cast of
  
    Skinny Dip
  
which may or may not overlap with everyone's favorite super secret spy agency (damn you terrorists for taking its name!).

Open the scene with
  Joey Perrone
being tossed off a cruise ship and into the drink by her husband Chaz (who is selfish even by Sterling Archer standards).

But for his lack of ethical scruples,
  Chaz Perrone
is ill-suited for his job as a
  biostitute
(a clever portmanteau of biologist and prostitute). He's more than happy to fake results for his boss whose farming operations pollute the fragile ecosystem, but he's not exactly outdoorsy.

Welcome to
  the Everglades,
where everything either wants to eat you or give you malaria.

We also have an assorted cast of other characters. There's the dumb muscle bodyguard (and one of the funniest characters), and the little old lady who breaks through even the toughest of façades. Good times, indeed!

Audiobook read by Stephen Hoye

On their anniversary cruise, Chaz Perrone callously throws his wife Joey overboard. He is compelled to commit this heinous act as she has uncovered his secret. However, Joey was a college champion swimmer and miraculously manages to survive the night, clinging to a bale of Jamaican weed. She is rescued by Mick Stranahan, a former investigator for the Dade State Attorney’s office, now “retired” and living on a remote island with his dog Strom. Instead of going to the police, Joey persuades Mick that they should “mess with Chaz” until he loses his mind. And thus, the wild and wacky fun begins.

This is a classic example of Hiaasen's style: outlandish situations and bumbling crooks, all set against a backdrop of environmental concern. The bad guys are, as always, the most flamboyant characters in the story – a hairy giant addicted to painkillers, an incompetent scientist who would rather be golfing (when he's not cheating on his wife with his mistress), and a wealthy “farmer” who believes that environmental regulations don't (or shouldn't) apply to him. The women are naïve one moment and astonishingly clever when wronged. As usual, they get the upper hand over the bad guys. The good guys – Detective Rolvaag and Mick – are upright and stoic. They have their own idiosyncrasies, of course – Rolvaag has two pet pythons, and Mick has been married six times – but they are undoubtedly the heroes. The recurring character Skink makes a brief appearance, although his name is never mentioned (but who could forget a one-eyed hermit who wears a plastic shower cap and eats roadkill?).

I adore Hiaasen's books for their wit and zaniness. Like his other works, this novel is a quick and enjoyable read, captivating from the very first sentence to the last.

Stephen Hoye does an excellent job narrating the audio version. He maintains a good pace and his interpretation is both incredulous and resigned to the insanity of the story. He truly brings this crazy cast of characters to life.

I became a fan of Bình Bồng Bột after reading "89 Minutes: Lê Công Vinh's Autobiography", "CR7 vs Messi, Hard Training and Talent" and most recently the extremely meaningful and controversial autobiography "Mike Tyson - The Naked Truth" (at this time, the photo is named Tran Minh). I know that there are two other autobiographies, namely " Hoàng Thùy Linh's Autobiography: Yellow and Royal" and "I am Ibrahimovic". But since I have read three autobiographies of this genre, I have no intention of reading the other two. Therefore, when I knew and saw that my brothers and sisters shared the latest translated novel of Bình Bồng Bột, I immediately abandoned all my shyness and asked my wife for permission :)

Regarding this latest book, I liked it right from the title. The original English title is "Skinny Dip", which means skinny dipping. And of course, the author Hiassen also had an ulterior motive in it, although the controversial meaning is just a description of Joey's wife after being grabbed by her husband Chaz and thrown into the sea from a five-star cruise ship on the second anniversary of their wedding night. The book begins with a thrilling action scene, and more than 400 pages later is the vengeful journey of the wife when she miraculously survived and couldn't believe it. Along with this journey is a political and social story that is also very exciting.

I always swear that when I read this book, I imagined Chaz as Chaien (although Chaz is described as quite handsome compared to the image of Chaien that I imagined, but unfortunately and fortunately, thanks to Chaien's first appearance on the first few pages, I felt more interested and excited to read on. Sorry to the fans of the novel "Đô rê mon" in general and the fans of Boss Chaien in particular :(

For me, this wonderful novel (I got infected with this term after reading this book) breaks down all psychological and moral barriers just like when reading "Alexis Zorba – The Happy Man" by Nikos Kazantzaki. I don't understand why the scenes of violence, shooting, sex, swearing, and cursing in this book make me so excited and crazy. Maybe because it has a humorous, satirical, and profound exploration style, just like when colleagues and friends troll each other and I don't understand what they mean but I'm sure they're having a great time. The feeling of reading this book is just like that.

Le Hong Lam also has comments on the author and the translator of this book that when I read it, I couldn't hold my mouth (is it mouth or mom? =))

"I think Carl Hiaasen wrote this novel under the influence of drugs. And the translator 3B also translated it in an extremely enjoyable way... free translation. Many times, I don't know which is the original language of the author and which is the "free translation" language of 3B. The swear words, the vulgar words, the obscene words (fuck/whore/asshole, pervert, horny, morning head...) appear with a high frequency and are kept intact. Is the book censorship now also too loose? But if this book is translated in a serious way, it would be thrown away.\\"

Do you think this book is interesting? Based on all my life experiences, I extremely recommend it to those who want to find a book/novel that breaks down all their previous moral concepts. Please find and read "Skinny Dip" translated by Bình ca (sorry for typing the author's name too tired).

Or just like Le Hong Lam ended his review with a catchy call to action:

\\"During these days of self-quarantine at home (if you go out and accidentally bump into someone from F0 to F3, you will be locked up in a quarantine camp) – this novel is an entertainment that is enough to make you laugh through the three days of Tet.\\"

Then, buy this book right away to read and support the translator to release more awesome novels. Or if you don't have money to buy, you can rent it right at @Tiệm sách anh 2 nhaaaa ().

See more of my reviews here:

Fun Read

Reading can be a truly enjoyable and entertaining experience. It allows us to escape into different worlds, explore new ideas, and gain knowledge.

A fun read can take many forms. It could be a thrilling mystery novel that keeps us on the edge of our seats, trying to solve the case before the end. Or perhaps a lighthearted romance that makes us smile and feel all warm inside.

There are also humorous books that can make us laugh out loud and forget about our daily stresses. These types of reads are perfect for those times when we just want to relax and have some fun.

Whether it's a bestseller or a hidden gem, a fun read has the power to transport us to another place and time. So, the next time you're looking for something to do, pick up a good book and let the adventure begin.

3.5 stars

In the second installment of the 'Mick Stranahan' series, the former cop comes to the aid of a damsel in distress. This book can be easily read as a standalone without any issues.

*****

I have always relished Carl Hiaasen's satiric and comic novels, which typically shine a light on the atrocities that humans are inflicting upon the state of Florida. In this particular book, Hiaasen focuses on the pollution of the Everglades.

The story revolves around Chaz Perrone, who fancies being called 'Dr. Perrone'. He holds a Ph.D. in marine biology and has a cushy job with the state of Florida, monitoring pollution in the Everglades. However, Chaz is more accurately described as 'Dr. Scumbag' as he is being bribed by Red Hammernut, a south Florida farmer whose fertilizer is contaminating the region. Chaz pretends to test water samples from the Everglades, fabricates false results, and pockets his payoff, believing he has done a great job (in his own warped mind).

Things take a turn for the worse when Chaz suspects that his wife, Joey, has caught on to his scam. So, he takes her on a luxury cruise for their second wedding anniversary and throws her overboard in the middle of the night. Chaz feigns being distraught over his'missing wife', but Detective Karl Rolvaag, who接手 the case when the ship returns to port, is immediately skeptical.

Meanwhile, Joey, a champion swimmer, manages to survive. She evades predatory wildlife, latches onto a bale of marijuana, and drifts towards shore on the Gulf Stream, seething with anger at her husband the entire time. Fortunately, she is rescued by Mick Stranahan, a fiftyish ex-cop living on a tiny island off the Florida coast. After hearing Joey's story, Mick wants to call the police, but Joey has a better idea. She plans to drive that lowlife Chaz crazy!

Chaz, convinced that he has gotten away with murder, continues to live his life as usual. He disposes of Joey's belongings from the house, romances his long-time girlfriend/hairdresser Ricca Spillman, and dreams of a prosperous and long-lasting partnership with Red. Although he is repeatedly questioned by Detective Rolvaag (à la Columbo), he believes there is no evidence of his crime.

Joey begins her campaign against Chaz by hanging a favorite black dress in her (now empty) closet and leaving a torn photo under his pillow. Chaz is confused and thinks some stranger is breaking into his house. When he reports the intrusion to Red Hammernut, the farmer assigns him a 'bodyguard' - a big, hairy brute named Earl O'Toole ('Tool').

Tool is in pain from a bullet lodged in his butt, so he sneaks into hospitals and nursing homes to steal Fentanyl patches from elderly patients and sticks them on his roughly shaved back. In the process, he meets an elderly lady named Maureen, and they develop a rather sweet friendship.

Throughout all this, Joey continues to play tricks on Chaz with the help of her brother Corbett and Mick. As the pranks intensify, Chaz's anxiety grows, and he becomes alarmed when he 'can't perform anymore'. He starts taking 'little blue pills', and the results are hilarious. Eventually, Joey and her fellow tricksters pull off a jaw-dropping hoax that is highly effective. As they spend more time together, Joey and Mick develop an attraction, which will surely appeal to romance fans.

As Chaz's life unravels, he becomes suspicious of everyone around him. In fact, during the course of the story, he 'kills' several people, but none of them stay dead. LOL

All this action and hilarity build up to a satisfying climax.

The story also features some fun animal characters. Besides the Everglades alligators and mosquitoes that terrify Chaz, there is Mick's dog, a lovable but slow-witted Doberman named Strom, who tries to bark away potential intruders from the island. And there are Detective Rolvaag's two pet pythons, which don't have much personality but might just be feasting on the building's pet cats and dogs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which had me laughing out loud. It is recommended to fans of light, amusing books with a message.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

I was out in search of a short-term relationship, a "book with benefits," a quick encounter that wouldn't have any long-term demands, just a few hours of pure pleasure. I met "Skinny Dip" in the Goodreads "bar." Who could resist a cover featuring a suggestively unclothed blond beauty in the water? I invited her out from the library for a brief fling. And I wasn't disappointed, that's for sure. Written by some guy I had never heard of, it had received good reviews. I checked and made sure it wasn't part of some 15-part novel series. I simply didn't need to be adding more books to my TBR shelf.

"Skinny Dip" lived up to its billing. The pages seemed to turn as easily as chips and salsa disappear on a football afternoon. The characters dreamed up by Mr. Carl Hiaasen are truly excellent. Mr. Big is named Red Hammernut, his enforcer is Mr. Tool, and the scientist working for Red is a real Darwin award winner. Dr. Chaz Perrone is, well, think of the Bill Pullman character (Earl Mott) in Ruthless People…yeah, he's that dumb in some areas. Hiassen isn't laugh-out-loud funny throughout, but in a few places, he had me grinning. His main story is about the wife, Joey Perrone, who is thrown off her anniversary cruise ship by her dimwit husband. She survives by hanging onto a bale of Jamaican dope floating in the Gulf Stream and is rescued by Mick Stranahan, a retired investigator living on an island off Miami. The rest of the novel is about her effort to find out why her husband wanted to kill her and to exact her revenge. Hiassen moves the story along nicely, and the revenge is so sweet that you'll be chuckling. Here are some nuggets for your perusal:

As Red Hammernut listened to Chaz Perrone’s story, he thought of the many blessings that had come his way, but also of the toil. A big farming operation like his was a challenging enterprise, relying as it did on rampant pollution and the systematic mistreatment of immigrant labor. For Red it was no small feat to keep the Feds off his back while at the same time soaking taxpayers for lucrative crop subsidies and dirt-cheap loans that might or might not be repaid this century. He reflected upon the hundreds of thousands of dollars that he’d handed out as campaign donations; the untallied thousands more for straight up bribes, hookers, private-yacht charters, gambling stakes and other discreet favors; and, finally, the countless hours of ass-kissing he’d been forced to endure with the same knucklehead politicians whose loyalties he had purchased.

This was no easy gig. Red Hammernut got infuriated every time he heard some pissy liberal refer to the federal farm bill as corporate welfare. The term implied contented idleness, and nobody worked harder than Red to keep the money flowing and stay out of trouble. Now the whole goddam shebang was in danger of falling apart because of one man.

While Mick is waiting to meet up with the hairdresser girlfriend of the good doctor, he visits the salon:

Taking cover behind a magazine, Stranahan attempted to immerse himself in the travails of Eminem, a deep though conflicted young man. Apparently wealth, fame and unlimited sex are nice, but true spiritual happiness must come from within.

While Hiassen doles out the humor, he also includes some thoughtful pieces. Mr. Tool’s evolution is priceless, and he throws in some serious Everglades conservation ideas while still maintaining the fun. The only problem is that I'm adding a bunch of Carl Hiassen’s novels to my TBR because he's just damn funny, and, what the heck, I'm always up for chips and salsa.

This is a truly great and highly enjoyable read. It has the power to make you ponder deeply. One can't help but wonder just how many real-life stories the author might have drawn inspiration from. After all, the author was an experienced investigative reporter in Florida prior to commencing his career in writing novels.

What I particularly liked about this book were the mismatched couples it presented. Their interactions added an interesting layer to the story. Moreover, the story was written with a lively sense of humor that really brought it to life. It's the perfect book to pick up when you've just finished reading something more somber or serious. It has the ability to quickly lift your spirits and transport you into an engaging and entertaining world.

Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an enjoyable and lighthearted read that still manages to have depth and substance.

Ah, Florida.

To many, Florida is a crazy state renowned for its numerous theme parks and beautiful beaches. But for me, it holds a special place as my childhood home. I spent my formative years there, surrounded by the unique ecosystem of swamps, alligators, venomous snakes, and the rather intimidating snowbirds. Growing up in such an environment truly shaped my perspective on life.

I currently reside in By God South Carolina, but I firmly believe that my time in Florida has equipped me to handle anything that this adopted state might throw my way. Although, to be honest, I can't fathom living in a place that is too civilized. Where would the excitement and adventure be? I suspect that my upbringing in Florida has made me this way.

If you're not already aware, Carl Hiaasen is famous for his precise depictions of Florida life. He doesn't sugarcoat it like the advertisements that aim to attract tourists and their vacation dollars. Instead, he展现sthe real Florida, a place that is both absurd and breathtakingly beautiful. And let's not forget how humid it can be!

The story in Skinny Dip is as follows: Joey is unceremoniously thrown overboard by her jerk of a husband, Chaz, during their second-anniversary cruise for reasons unknown to her at the time. Fortunately, she's no pushover and swims towards shore like a true champ. She then manages to hold on all night to a bale of Jamaican pot that conveniently floats by until she's rescued by Mick, an ex-cop who now lives on an island off the coast of South Florida. When she wakes up, her first instinct isn't to call the police; it's to seek revenge. I can definitely empathize with Joey!

What follows is a hilarious and wild adventure through the Everglades with a zany cast of characters that could only exist in the Sunshine State. It's as if the entire peninsula is teeming with semi-feral humans who don't belong anywhere else, and even the so-called normal ones (like me?) are too strange to adapt to anything that isn't hot and full of chaos. Hiaasen truly captures the essence of the Florida way of life in Skinny Dip, and by the time I finished reading/listening, I was overcome with a sense of homesickness. This was my second time reading/listening to this book, and this time I opted for the audio version narrated by Stephen Hoye. I have to say, he did an outstanding job.