Anyone familiar with the 'Miami Vice' TV show of the 1980's will find the plot of 'Powder Burn' by Carl Hiassen (?) and Bill Montalbano equally exciting!

Yet, it may also be depressing as it mirrors the power America has bestowed upon drug lords due to its unceasing demand for illegal drugs. In the 1980's, cocaine reigned supreme, from the restrooms of respectable businesses to the garbage-strewn streets of city ghettos. The book accurately depicts that era, although it doesn't graphically describe the insane violence actually perpetrated by drug lords.

I copied the cover blurb below as it is accurate:

"Chris Meadows has the misfortune to witness an old girlfriend being hit by a car full of drugland hitmen. He has the even worse luck to see the faces of her murderers. Because in a town as violent as Miami, a witness doesn't stand a chance -- especially when the cops who should be protecting him are more interested in using him as live bait."

I'm not sure about the book's claim regarding the authors - the novel doesn't seem much like one written by Carl Hiassen as it completely lacks his cynical satire. Nevertheless, the book is an exciting action thriller!

I enjoyed the fictional action of 'Powder Burn', despite the fact that drug lords often operated with impunity in Florida in the 1970's/1980's due to corruption and their overwhelming presence in all sectors of society. The police were handicapped by political corruption and the idiosyncrasies of some legal procedures that were originally intended to protect the rights of innocents but ended up safeguarding drug lords from prosecution. However, in my humble opinion, the police are truly unable to halt illegal drugs because of the insatiable demand from ordinary American people.

The story began with a lot of promise. It had a strong start that really grabbed my attention. However, there was a period in the middle where not much seemed to happen. It felt a bit slow and drawn out. But then, out of nowhere, there was an amazing finish. It was so good that it completely changed my perception of the entire book. I believe this is the first in a series of three books. At first, I wasn't sure if I would read the next one or even finish this one. But after that great ending, I have now decided that I will definitely continue with the series. I'm excited to see what happens next and how the story will unfold.

overly long but a great finish

This is the twelfth book that I have perused by this particular author, and the second one that I have read which was penned by him and his co-author. I have truly relished these two works as they are a complete deviation from Hiaasen's typical style.

This book centers around an ostensibly upright and law-abiding architect named Chris Meadows. Meadows witnesses an old flame and her child being struck down by a car that is being chased in a drug war. Meadows then becomes embroiled in the situation and subsequently endures numerous attempts on his own life. The story is masterfully written, and the book is an effortless read. It keeps the reader engaged from start to finish with its thrilling plot and well-developed characters.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or thriller. It is a great addition to any bookshelf and is sure to provide hours of entertainment.

I've read a significant portion of Hiaasen's novels, yet I had not dared to explore his earlier work that he collaborated on with Bill Montalbano.

Both of them were reporters at the Miami Herald, and this initial book on which they joined forces to write is an exhilarating tale.

Published in 1981, it is truly fascinating to observe how the drug cartels are still actively operating even now.

I have a plan to continue reading the other two books that are part of this series. The next one is "Trap Line."

I'm eager to see what other adventures and insights these books will offer.

It's always exciting to discover new works by an author I enjoy, especially when they have collaborated with another talented writer.

I'm looking forward to delving deeper into this series and uncovering the secrets and stories that lie within.

Hopefully, the subsequent books will be just as engaging and thrilling as the first one.

Hiaasen's books always rock!

Hiaasen has a remarkable talent for creating captivating stories that are filled with a diverse cast of characters. In his works, one can encounter Miami derby lords, Colombians, Cubans, beautiful women, and innocent bystanders. It's a typical Hiaasen setup that immediately grabs the reader's attention.

This particular book is no exception. It is an extremely interesting read, thanks to its engaging plot and the unique personalities of the characters. Each character is vividly drawn, with their own quirks and motives, making them come alive on the pages.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to find out what will happen next. Whether it's the actions of the derby lords, the intrigues of the Colombians and Cubans, or the experiences of the beautiful women and innocent bystanders, there is never a dull moment.

Overall, this book is definitely fun to read. It combines elements of mystery, adventure, and humor to create a truly enjoyable literary experience. Hiaasen's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for readers of all ages. If you're looking for a good book to escape into, this one is highly recommended.

As a native of Miami who was born and raised here and still resides in this vibrant city, I have an absolute appreciation for Carl Hiaasen's in-depth knowledge of South Florida. The way he portrays the region is truly remarkable. I also found myself really enjoying the criminal element that was highlighted in the context of the 1980's drug cartel. The history down here is so rich and it's something that is truly within recent memory. It adds a layer of authenticity and excitement to the story. If you have a penchant for thrillers that are filled with a plethora of crime and are set against a well-researched Florida background, then any Carl Hiaasen novel is sure to be a great choice for you, not just this particular one. His writing style and ability to bring the characters and the setting to life make for an engaging and captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

At some point in the mid-nineteen nineties, I came across a few Hiaasen books.

From my memory, they gave me the impression that they should be read in order.

This particular book was not among those I had read before.

Apparently, it is his first novel, and it shows some roughness around the edges.

In fact, I would not hesitate to say that it really wasn't that good.

I'm speculating that his later works might improve.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that this book was co-authored, or maybe he simply hadn't yet discovered his own unique style.

But to be blunt, this one was rather ordinary.

Nonetheless, I still have some hope that his other books will offer a more engaging and enjoyable reading experience.

You won't get burned, but….

I have perused the majority of Carl's literary works and have discovered them to be highly entertaining and expertly crafted. However, this particular offering, while passable, fails to reach the lofty standards set by his previous endeavors. One might wonder if the presence of a co-writer could be the culprit. Perhaps it was the other individual who actually penned the book, and Carl simply lent his name to boost its sales. This seems to be an increasingly prevalent trend in the literary world these days – having multiple authors collaborate on a single work. In any case, this book contains far too many implausible scenarios and abrupt changes in a character's style for me to truly engage with it. It is a decent read, to be sure, but it falls short of being truly great.

The early work of Hiassen is truly captivating. It takes readers into the drug-infested streets of Miami, where there is an abundance of action and drama unfolding at every turn. Unlike some of his other books that are known for their humor, this particular one presents a different side of his writing. However, despite the lack of the typical humor, it remains a great read. Hiassen's storytelling skills are on full display, as he weaves a narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The vivid descriptions of the Miami streets and the characters who inhabit them bring the story to life. Whether it's the intense drug deals or the dangerous situations the characters find themselves in, there is never a dull moment. Overall, this early work of Hiassen is a testament to his talent as a writer and is sure to satisfy fans of action and drama.

This is one of three novels penned by Hiaasen in collaboration with his friend and fellow journalist, Bill Montalbano. I'm a huge admirer of Hiaasen and have a great penchant for his offbeat novels that are brimming with zany characters from South Florida. When I discovered the existence of these three novels, I wasted no time in purchasing all of them from an online bookseller. These novels were written in the 1980s, before Hiaasen's first solo novel, Tourist Season.

I read one of them a couple of years ago, A DEATH IN CHINA, and found it to be a very good thriller. However, it lacked the typical humor that is characteristic of Hiaasen's solo works.

I also had the pleasure of reading Powder Burn, which was written in 1981. Set in South Florida, this novel zeroes in on the drug trade prevalent in the area at that time. The protagonist, Chris Meadows, is a talented architect who witnesses the tragic deaths of a former girlfriend and her young daughter when they are caught in a cross-fire during a drug-related incident. Meadows becomes a witness to the murderers and soon finds himself targeted by the drug enforcers. But Chris is not one to give up easily. He sets out to track down the Cuban head of the drug business in Miami and attempts to put an end to his cocaine dealings with the Columbians. With a bit of assistance, he endeavors to turn the tables on the bloody drug trade that has taken hold of Miami.

This novel, once again, does not possess any of Hiaasen's usual wit and is rather a straightforward crime novel. Nevertheless, I thought it was a very good thriller, likely written mostly by Montalbano. The novel had a certain dated feel to it...computers and cell phones were nowhere to be seen, and a lot of handwritten note-taking was evident. But then again, it was the 1980s. I still have to read the third novel in this series, TRAP LINE, and I'm really looking forward to it.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced, which kept me engaged from start to finish. The plot was great, and it vividly painted a picture of 80's Miami. It wasn't as intentionally humorous as some of the other CH books I've read, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.

It seems that many reviewers have down-rated this book because they think it's not as good as CH's later works. However, I think it's important to judge each book on its own merits.

In what's left of 2020, I plan to read as much of CH's work as I can. I also want to keep up with the book club and remain gainfully employed. It's a bit of a challenge, but I'm up for it. I'm trying to read CH's books in order, and the next one on my list is Trap Line. I'm looking forward to seeing what it has in store for me.

Carl Hiaassen's initial foray into the world of fiction was a collaborative effort with Bill Montalbano, and this pattern held true for his first three novels.

Drug cartels, which have become a rather tired and overused trope in the years since, were just beginning to make their mark when this book was penned in 1981. This can be seen in one of the sub-plots where Colombian cocaine suppliers start to delve into the economics of cartels.

During this time, I was writing a college paper on the economics of the drug trade, with a particular focus on the tax implications of keeping it illegal. However, I overlooked several secondary aspects, such as the economics of law enforcement and the prison system, both of which rely heavily on the illegality of drugs for their funding.

This book delves into other areas as well, primarily political and supply chain issues. In hindsight, I realize that as a college student, I was rather naive, believing that it was simply a matter of morality versus taxes.

The strength of this book lies in its protagonist, Chris Meadows, a Miami architect who finds himself caught up in a war between the Colombians and Cubans as these economic issues unfold. He evolves from being naive and moralistic to becoming jaded, and cleverly learns to navigate the complex web of characters from all sides, including law enforcement, who have thrust him into the heart of this conflict.

Although Powder Burn lacks the trademark absurdity and humor that would come to define Hiaassen's solo works, it is still a worthy starting point in his career. Readers should simply keep in mind its publication date when encountering the now-familiar material about drug cartels that has pervaded pop culture.