Typical Carl Hiaasen, yet this time around, it seems as if the humor and wackiness that are so characteristic of his works have been completely absent. Instead, it feels as if all the joy has been sucked right out of the story. It's a rather unexpected departure for the author. However, I must admit that I'm glad he has found a different approach to write about the plagues that have befallen Miami. By taking this new path, he is able to offer a fresh perspective on the city's problems and perhaps shed some light on solutions that might not have been considered before. It will be interesting to see how this new style of writing develops and what impact it will have on his readers.

I absolutely adore Mr. Hiassen's books and have devoured a significant number of them.

Regrettably, I am not a native Floridian. However, my family relocated to Central Florida when I was on the cusp of turning 6, and I have resided here for almost my entire life. To me, there is simply no more enchanting place to call home. I deeply appreciate Mr. Hiassen's vivid portrayals of those who have arrived here and despoiled our magnificent state. His depictions make his writing even more captivating to me. I am enamored with his sense of humor and his detailed descriptions of both his characters and the breathtaking beauty of Florida.

Powder Burn was electrifying from the very outset. The hero differed from other Hiassen heroes, finding himself in over his head right from the start, yet possessing the tenacity to persevere. The drug story was both utterly fascinating and terrifying... and quite likely true. I vividly remember going on a dive trip and being cautioned by the Dive Master to keep away from "Square Groupers". It was an outstanding read. Highly recommended.

Carl Hiaasen is truly one of my all-time favorite authors for comfort reads. I had always believed that I had devoured every single one of his works, but boy, was I wrong!

At the beginning of the story, Meadow's life seems almost too good to be true. It's quaint, comfortable, and just plain easy. However, things take a completely unexpected and crazy sad turn right from the start. Suddenly, Meadow finds himself entangled with some very dirty Miami cops and the seedy cocaine business of the 1980s.

One wild cartel deal follows another, and along the way, a few others meet their untimely ends. But somehow, Meadow manages to keep his head above water and, against all odds, gets everything to work out in the end. He happily falls back into a quiet life with his girl. There are two other books in this series, and I'm absolutely thrilled to read them and discover what other wild and crazy adventures await in this world that Hiaasen writes about so masterfully!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1/5

Powder Burn is yet another one of Hiaasen's early books. It is deeply immersed in the cocaine culture of the 1980s, much like the renowned show Miami Vice. Here, there is a bit more fun and intrigue, but don't expect any major surprises.

Chris Meadows, an up-and-coming architect, has no real connection to the drug trade. That is, until he witnesses a friend and her daughter being brutally killed during a violent altercation between rival drug gangs. Left alive, he soon becomes a target of the gang as a witness.

Meanwhile, the gangs are at a crucial juncture. The Colombians and Cubans have been engaged in a territorial battle. However, the head of the Cuban faction has a plan to partner with the Colombians, corner the market, and put an end to much of the violence. Chris, though, will not go down without a fight. With the help of his friends and a Cuban-American police detective, he sets out not only to seek justice for the killers but also for those at the top who are profiting from all the violence.

If you grew up in the 1980s, you'll find a lot in Powder Burn that is familiar. Cocaine seemed to be everywhere back then. Chris is a decent guy who has tried to lead a good life, but the drug trade in Miami catches up with him. He has never used cocaine before, but as he attempts to set up the payoff for his plan, he must play the part and give in to using the drug to appear as an up-and-coming dealer from Atlanta. His reaction is not unexpected, but it may lead him to make some poor choices, especially when it comes to his love life.

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Early Hiaasen's works展现出了他独特的创作风格，但与他90年代及以后的作品相比，仍存在一些差异。

在早期作品中，他塑造的人物形象可能没有后期那么丰富多彩，幽默感也没有那么成熟。可以看出，他还在不断地发展和完善自己的写作风格。

尽管如此，他的早期作品仍然具有一定的趣味性和可读性。它们为读者提供了一个了解Hiaasen创作历程的窗口，也让我们看到了他在不断成长和进步的过程中所做出的努力。

虽然早期作品与后期的精彩故事相比略显逊色，但它们仍然是Hiaasen创作生涯中不可或缺的一部分，值得我们去品味和欣赏。

It is not a bad book, but it is not a Carl Hiaasen book.

If you are seeking a decent book to peruse while lounging around the pool, one that delves into the world of Miami, cops, and the Cuban drug trade in the 1980s, then you will probably find enjoyment in this book. It offers a certain level of intrigue and a glimpse into that particular era and its associated themes.

However, if your expectations are set on an entertaining, laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric Floridans, you are bound to be disappointed. This book does not quite capture the same spirit and humor that Carl Hiaasen is known for. It may have its own merits in terms of the subject matter it covers, but it falls short in delivering the kind of lighthearted and comical narrative that many readers might be hoping for when it comes to stories about the Sunshine State and its colorful characters.

I usually have a great passion for Carl Hiaasen's books. His works are often filled with unique charm and engaging storylines.

However, this particular one failed to capture my interest. I found it difficult to follow the plot and understand the development of the story.

I persevered and read all the way to the end, hoping that everything would eventually make sense and come together. But unfortunately, my hopes were dashed.

It didn't possess his typical style of satire intertwined with comedic and vivid characters. This lack of his trademark elements left me feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.

I had expected more from a Carl Hiaasen book, but this one just didn't deliver.

I have thoroughly relished each of the Southern Florida books penned by Carl Hiaasen as they came into being. Naturally, I was intrigued about his early joint effort with Bill Montalbano. My curiosity has now been quenched, but I am left utterly baffled by the presence of any remotely positive appraisals of this piece of literary filth.

This book is quite possibly the worst thing I have ever perused. It exhibits not the slightest hint of Carl Hiaasen's substantial talent. The dialogue is the most inane one can conceive, consisting mainly of "clichés for every conceivable occasion." The characters are unlikable, being nothing more than flimsy stereotypes roughly sketched with a few lazy characteristics. The plot staggers from one coincidence to another until it abruptly deflates itself without any real payoff. And the protagonist is unmemorable and improbable, with his (yawn) tortured principles flipping like a switch whenever it becomes convenient to push this disaster towards its conclusion.

Truly, seriously, this book is not recommended.

I must admit that I did not initially notice the original publication date of the book. When I started reading it, I was actually quite ready to scold Hiaasen for what I thought was a subpar work published under his name.

To my great disappointment, it was a far cry from the usual Hiaasen books that I have come to love and expect. The story, while it was okay, lacked the characteristic quirky and oddball humor that is so标志性 of his writing.

It felt like a letdown, as if Hiaasen had lost his touch. I had been looking forward to another entertaining and laugh-out-loud adventure, but instead, I was left with a rather平淡的 reading experience.

I hope that in the future, Hiaasen will return to his roots and give us the kind of books that we have come to cherish.

*** Possible Spoilers ***

The best thing that I can possibly say regarding this book is that I have managed to finish it. There were numerous occasions when I seriously considered DNFing (Did Not Finish) this thing. However, it was pure dogged determination that kept me going forward. I had thought that Carl Hiaasen was renowned for writing with humour. And, based on some of the reviews I had read, his other books are supposed to be much better. So, perhaps I might give another one of his books a try. But this particular one was just dreadful. The characters simply were not believable, and the protagonist was less than likeable. There were far too many contradictions. The main character begins the story ridiculously naive and then, by the end of the book, becomes fully street smart. I can sort of accept the change, but not within such a short span of time.

The ending wasn't entirely terrible, albeit a little far-fetched. But getting to that ending was a real slog. And I would not recommend this book to anyone.

‘Powder Burn‘ represents a significant departure from Hiaasen's other literary works.

Although the story still centers around characters, it doesn't feature the wild and entertaining ones that readers are accustomed to. Instead, it delves into the psyche of a deep and dark, complex character.

The plot progresses at a brisk pace and is intricate, yet it lacks the excessive excitement or action that some might expect.

As always, the writing is of high quality. In the end, the story holds interest for those seeking an intriguing narrative, but it may not satisfy those who are looking for a typical Hiaasen story that elicits laughter.

Overall, ‘Powder Burn‘ offers a different side of Hiaasen's writing, one that explores a more serious and complex theme through a unique character and plot.

It challenges readers to look beyond the surface and engage with the deeper layers of the story.

Whether or not it becomes a favorite among Hiaasen's fans remains to be seen, but it无疑 adds another dimension to his body of work.

After delving into a more complex and demanding novel, I found myself yearning for the lighthearted, zany, and traditional charm of a Carl Hiaasen story.

However, upon picking up this particular book, the only connection to Carl Hiaasen that was even remotely evident was his name on the cover and the fact that the story was set in Florida. That was truly all there was.

It completely lacked the trademark silliness and quirkiness that are characteristic of Hiaasen's stories and characters. Instead, what I was presented with was a violent, cheesy, and overly exaggerated 80's drug war narrative.

It seemed as if the author had indulged in far too many episodes of Miami Vice prior to sitting down to pen this book.

Perhaps I might have been more lenient and given it the benefit of the doubt if I hadn't been fully anticipating a genuine Carl Hiaasen offering. But as it was, after just the first two chapters, I knew without a doubt that it was not at all what I had hoped to read. So, instead, I simply "hate read" through the entire thing, just to get it over and done with.