It was truly great to witness a fellow who had relied on his good looks throughout his entire life finally receive his just deserts.

The hilarious conclusion had all the characters getting what they deserved, very much in the vein of a Dickens novel.

It must be noted, however, that the author seems to have a rather excessive preoccupation with erect penises.

PS: If you have not yet read Madame Bovary, be cautious as this novel reveals the ending of Madame Bovary.

This aspect might be a spoiler for those who are planning to read the classic.

Nevertheless, despite this minor drawback, the overall story is engaging and filled with interesting characters and plot twists.

It makes for an entertaining read that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

The way the author weaves the story and brings all the elements together is quite remarkable.

Overall, it is a novel that is worth checking out, especially for those who enjoy stories with a touch of humor and a bit of a moral lesson.

The concept and overall plot for this book seemed decent at first glance.

However, it turned out to be a torture to read. The stupidest subplots and details continuously pulled me away from the main story.

These aren't spoilers or crucial plot points, but I must give the following examples of the wackiness. The main character's parents were said to have died in a private plane crash while taking their pet bear for dental work.

Also, her first husband was killed when a skydiver fell on him in his own yard. I assume these were meant to be quirky anecdotes.

There were numerous other random side stories that were equally distracting and ridiculous. It was simply horrible writing. It felt as if the author was desperately grasping at straws to be funny.

I will never, ever pick up another book by this author.

Joey Perrone is absolutely furious, and rightfully so. On their second wedding anniversary, her husband, Chaz, initially surprises her by booking a romantic Carnival-style cruise. But then, he shocks her in the most heinous way. He gets her drunk, throws her overboard in the dead of night, and leaves her there as shark bait. Little does Chaz know that Joey miraculously survives by clinging to a stray bale of Jamaican weed. She is later found, exhausted and a bit worse for wear, by Mick Stranahan, a recluse who resides on a private island. Mick had been forced into early retirement from the police force after killing a politically powerful criminal and now shuns the mainland.

If fate dealt Joey a cruel hand that fateful night on the cruise ship, it seems to be making amends by presenting the perfect opportunity for her to seek revenge on her philandering and murderous husband. What ensues is a strange, convoluted, and highly entertaining revenge plot that exposes just how despicable a lowlife Chaz Perrone truly is.

Carl Hiaasen's books are not only quick and humorous reads but also have a soul. "Skinny Dip" is filled with eccentric characters. There's Tool, the bodyguard with a bullet lodged in the crack of his ass and a penchant for collecting roadside crosses. Red Hammernut, the Yosemite Sam-like billionaire who makes a fortune by flouting EPA rules. And Ricca, Chaz's mistress with some rather peculiar artistic tendencies when it comes to personal grooming. The plot lines are implausible, and the dialogue is witty.

However, beneath all the absurdity, there is an underlying environmental message about the Everglades. It shows how big money and political influence can undermine the very agencies that are trying to do right by our planet. The message is never overbearing; Hiaasen simply uses the characters and the plot to highlight how corporate corruption is happening right under our noses and how industrial farming's mismanagement of natural resources is affecting our water supply, land, and the animals that inhabit the ecosystems we're destroying. But if you're not interested in an environmental message, that's okay too. There are still plenty of zany capers, madcap adventures, and pure fun to be had in Hiaasen's books.

Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder

Another Hiaasen great one!

I have a soft spot for the past detective Stranahan character. However, I was a bit concerned that Yancey had such a minor role in this book. It seems I need to reconfigure the readings to better align with the character introductions.

Once again, we have those worthless characters in the Everglades who are hell-bent on swindling the environment and the women they desire. Ha! It's quite a twist to see how one can get back at someone who tried to kill them. You can only imagine.

I'll be embarking on another Hiaasen adventure this week. I'm eager to see what other wild and wacky stories he has in store for us. His writing always manages to keep me on the edge of my seat and entertained from start to finish. I can't wait to dive into the next book and see where the journey takes me.