The romance plot between Mick and Joey is somewhat underdeveloped.

It seems to lack the depth and complexity that one would expect from a truly engaging romantic storyline. However, despite this shortcoming, the overall experience is still quite entertaining.

The story manages to capture the audience's attention with its interesting characters and fast-paced action. Mick and Joey have a certain chemistry that, although not fully explored, keeps the viewers intrigued.

The supporting cast also adds to the entertainment value, with their unique personalities and interactions. Additionally, the setting and the special effects contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story, making it visually appealing.

While the underdeveloped romance plot may be a bit of a disappointment for some, it doesn't overshadow the other aspects of the story that make it an enjoyable watch.

Chaz Perone is truly terrible at killing people, and it is simply delightful. This is outstanding Hiaasen, where the good guys are truly good, the bad guys are truly bad, and everyone ultimately gets what they deserve.

It's a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with its unique blend of humor and suspense. The characters are well-developed, and you can't help but root for the good guys and despise the bad guys.

However, I would give this book 3.5 stars because, although it was great overall, it did feel a little too long for my taste. There were some parts that could have been trimmed down without sacrificing the essence of the story.

Nevertheless, it's still a highly enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery with a touch of humor.

Joey Perrone is completely shocked when her husband, instead of reaching for the keys to their stateroom, suddenly grabs her ankles and throws her over the side of their cruise ship.

As she surfaces in the water, she realizes with a start that it is their anniversary! What an unbelievable thing for her husband to do. It's bad enough that he has been cheating on her all over town, but to actually throw her overboard on their anniversary cruise is just too much to bear!!

This is how Hiaasen's 10th book begins. It is filled with lots of original characters and a murder mystery - or rather an attempted murder mystery - to solve.

If I could, I would give it 3 and a half stars. I found that I couldn't really get into it until I was halfway through. Maybe it was just me, but for some reason, it took a while for the story to really draw me in.

Despite this, the book has its interesting moments and the mystery keeps you guessing until the end. It's definitely worth a read for fans of Hiaasen's work or anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

In a lighthearted crime adventure set in South Florida, the over-the-top characters bring the story to life.

Most of the action unfolds in the gator and mosquito-infested Everglades, adding an element of danger and excitement.

The good guys, with their charm and wits, manage to come out on top and win the girl, while the bad guys meet their inevitable demise.

I found myself thoroughly enjoying this book. It was a fun and light read that kept me entertained from start to finish.

The vivid descriptions of the Everglades and the larger-than-life characters made it easy to picture the scenes in my mind.

Despite the presence of crime and danger, the overall tone of the story was lighthearted and humorous, which made it a refreshing read.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and entertaining escape.

How to categorize this book? It’s not a mystery – although it starts with a murder.

It’s not a police procedural, although a policeman is trying to make the case against the murderer throughout the book.

It’s not a romance, although it ends with a ‘happily-ever-after’.

It’s not a comedy, although absurdities pile up on the pages. I’d call it a farce with environmental flavor.

In the beginning, the antagonist, biologist Chaz Perrone, pitches his wife Joey overboard from a cruise ship. He is happy with the deed done well, but unfortunately for him, Joey survives. The rest of the book is dedicated to Joey taking revenge on her inept murderer of a husband. She is also trying to figure out why he decided to murder her.

The plot line is preposterous to the point of crazy, but the value of this novel doesn’t reside in the plot, it is in the characters. They are diverse and colorful, especially the bad ones.

The antagonist Chaz is a tangle of contradictions. One moment, he is a sleek confident liar, the next – a slimy, soulless prick, cowardly but sly. Everyone holds him in contempt, his ‘friends’ and enemies alike, but somehow, his overworking sense of self-preservation always helps him to end up on top, not exactly winning but not really losing either, just biding his time. Pathetic as a villain, he is nonetheless frightening in his sordid venality – and for the lowest possible price. This self-admiring worm is the best-defined character in the novel, the focal point of the action. Every twist of the plot revolves around him.

Chaz’s partners in crime include his employer Red, a corrupt and ruthless owner of vegetable farms, and Red’s goon Tool, a hirsute ape of a man, whose conscience is stirring unexpectedly.

On the positive side, there is a Norwegian detective Rolvaag, superbly honest and tenacious like a bulldog but slightly eccentric: he keeps pythons as pets. A loner Mike is also one of the good guys. A former policeman and Joey’s savior, he is the one who fished her out of the sea. He helps her with her vengeance scheme and generally plays the role of a knight in tarnished armor.

And then there is Joey. She should be the protagonist, she almost got killed in the beginning of the story, but she is somewhat fuzzy as a character. Actually, all the female characters are fuzzy in this novel, as opposed to the male characters, each one with his sharply defined personality and quirky history.

The story is unevenly paced, sometimes galloping, sometimes crawling. Too many back stories slow down the action, and I wondered why the author included them. They are not really relevant to the proceedings. They are funny though, but for some reason, I didn’t laugh, not even once. I suspect a screwball comedy isn’t for me, although the juxtaposition of a petty criminal and the huge evil of his crime – murder, even unsuccessful – felt intriguing. I definitely wanted to know the resolution of this cat’s cradle of lies and subplots.

The setting, Everglades, Florida, plays a major role in this book. The author obviously loves its endless marches and abundant wildlife, and the entire book reads as a tribute to Everglades.

Overall, this is a ridiculous but absorbing read. It has its flaws, such as the uneven pacing and the somewhat underdeveloped female characters. However, the colorful cast of characters, especially the complex and despicable Chaz, makes up for these shortcomings. The setting also adds a unique flavor to the story. Despite not being a fan of screwball comedies, I found myself engaged with the story and eager to see how it would all end. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others who are looking for a lighthearted yet entertaining read.

I really appreciate authors of this kind. They don't aim for the impossible, nor do they strive to amass a fortune or achieve literary perfection with a single stroke. Instead, they are professional, working writers who possess skills and craftsmanship that often go unnoticed. Their wit propels the story forward, filled with humor and a well-structured plot, presented in accessible yet engaging prose.

Starting off as a pleasant diversion, the book gradually becomes even funnier, eliciting several out-loud laughter moments. This is especially true when the shrink-wrapped husband chews through the suffocating plastic like a "psychotic gopher." In fact, this book would make an excellent film, perhaps starring Ryan Reynolds as the unlucky husband.

The story is set in Florida but fortunately remains untainted by what Hiassen himself describes as the "blinding vulgarity of South Florida." It is solid, consistent, and extremely funny. I will definitely explore his other works.

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

3.5 Stars

Joey Perrone could never have imagined that her husband would throw her overboard during their anniversary cruise. Mick Stranahan, on the other hand, had no inkling that he would pull a naked woman off a floating bale of marijuana while fishing. After their strange and fortuitous encounter, Joey and Mick join forces to uncover the reason why Joey's unfaithful husband would choose to kill her instead of asking for a divorce and, in the process, seek some payback.

Like all of Hiassen's books, Skinny Dip is set in the Sunshine State.

  

It is filled with an array of bizarre characters and multiple plotlines. I've noticed that many reviewers claim Hiassen is clearly a woman hater. Since I haven't seen him express any repulsive opinions in interviews (*cough* Orson Scott Card *cough*), I'm not sure if that's true. I do know that his female characters often seem one-dimensional, but usually, I don't really care. Hiassen is a masculine author who writes books that men would enjoy reading. Unfortunately, in Skinny Dip, one of the leads is a woman. A woman who should have been far more remarkable than she was. Fortunately, he populates his books with countless other characters to make up for it. While not nearly as outstanding as Bad Monkey, Skinny Dip was still an enjoyable read.

Skinny Dip was my very first encounter with Carl Hiassen's work, and it happened to be the second installment in his Mike Stranahan series.

At first glance, it seemed like a self-contained story. However, I might have overlooked some references or callbacks to the previous novel.

Nevertheless, I was truly impressed by Hiassen's ability to craft engaging dialogue for his eccentric characters. He vividly portrays the slightly exaggerated chaos and madness that exists in south Florida.

The story is filled with a plethora of elements that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. There's plenty of steamy sex scenes, the presence of guns, menacing killer snakes, thrilling attempted murders, and of course, corrupt politicians.

It's no wonder that Hiassen's books have achieved such popularity. They offer a unique and entertaining blend of mystery, humor, and social commentary that appeals to a wide range of readers.

I'm definitely looking forward to delving into more of his works and exploring the further adventures of Mike Stranahan and the other colorful characters that inhabit his fictional world.

I listened to this audiobook.

Carl Hiaasen has once again crafted a side-splitting story. Chaz Perone, a biologist who can barely lay claim to the title of "Dr.," is completely corrupt. He has been working in the Everglades, ostensibly as a watchdog for the dangerously high levels of phosphates from the runoff of neighboring farms. However, what he is truly up to is working for a powerful farm magnate. He is falsifying the phosphate data to make it appear as if the farms are in compliance.

When Chaz believes that his wife has or will uncover his deception, he throws her off a cruise ship. But she doesn't perish. She is rescued by Mick Stranahan, a former cop who leads a secluded life on a small island. When Joey reveals to Mick what has befallen her, Mick resolves to assist her in driving Chaz insane by "haunting" him.

And thus begins a crazy tale filled with "only in Florida" twists and turns. Packed with eccentric characters and humorous, intertwined stories, it showcases Hiaasen at his finest.

I smell a new favorite reliable author!!!

I love Hiaasen's witticisms nearly as much as his Florida man. His writing is truly remarkable. It reminds me of that scene in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird where the college counselor commends Lady Bird for the artistry and love with which she writes about Sacramento. Lady Bird's response, "I was just describing it," is, to me, exactly Hiaasen's approach to weaving Florida into his books.

His writing is so utterly singular, an ode to both the good and the bad in Florida. It makes me romanticize my place here. I love the low-stakes true crime nature of these books. Yes, there is murder and other shady behavior, but the story is about so much more than that. I don't feel frightened or stressed while reading.

I may even rank this one above Bad Monkey!! But both are definitely 5 stars :)

Special shoutout to the library for the copy I read. It's great to have access to such wonderful books through the library. I can't wait to explore more of Hiaasen's works.

Carl Hiaasen belongs to that group of modern, witty crime fiction writers who are not like Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler, and they hope you won't make such a comparison. There's no denying that he is good. However, he's not a genius. And that's okay. Not everyone can reach the unreachable stellar heights.

Carl Hiaasen's Skinny Dip was a really enjoyable story about revenge. All the bad guys got what they deserved, and the good people never suffered from the bad guys' bumbling and inadequacies. I read the last half of the story in one sitting, staying up late to read, which might have affected my work performance the next day.

But here's the thing. I've read the greats. So, subconsciously, I always think, "Wow, that was fun... but *sigh* it was no The Long Goodbye." I know it might not be fair to Hiaasen, but it's like reading most fantasy epics after reading The Lord of the Rings. You end up feeling a bit empty.

No hard feelings, Carl? You're still as good as Elmore Leonard!

"Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Carl Hiaasen"

On their second wedding anniversary, Joey is brutally pushed off the luxury cruise ship Sun Duchess by her husband and into the vast ocean. Despite the extreme desolation, Joey uses all her strength and the skills from her days at the swimming club to survive.

And she is rescued.

But the young wife still wonders why her husband would be so cruel as to try to kill her.

In the journey to find the answer, Joey and her friends have experiences that make Chaz, the hapless husband, fear losing his secrets.

Humor, satire, and a touch of bitterness are what "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" brings. Besides that, the author also criticizes all those in politics and greedy agricultural magnates who have no humanity and have trampled and destroyed the environment for the sake of profit. Moreover, it strongly condemns a world where academic degrees and human conscience are truly cheap and can be bought with money.

______________________

I read a review by a certain journalist posted by Tao Đàn, which was really attractive and extremely interesting, so I had high hopes for this book... But what was the price to pay? It was complete disappointment.

Personally, I think the term "a虎头蛇尾" (lit. a tiger's head and a snake's tail) is suitable for this book. The beginning is really magnificent with the plan to make the husband extremely scared (always with a negative connotation), but as it goes along, you will find that there is nothing particularly outstanding, and often it is even dull. Not to mention the ending, which is a huge question mark. It's like the author thought the story was too long and so gave a hasty ending, which really spoils the mood and is very uncomfortable.

However, this book is quite okay for entertainment, making you laugh. The translator once replied in an interview that they wanted to Vietnameseize the swear words as accurately as possible, so there are a lot of vulgar words (like "đầu b***", "ch*ch", and so on), so those who are sensitive should stay away. Oh, and this book is for 18+ only. I'm not 18 yet but almost, so...

And I don't recommend this book at all, not even for entertainment purposes. The time spent reading this book should be reserved for a better and more interesting one :))