While this book wasn't precisely what I had anticipated from Carl Hiaasen, it still managed to be an exciting and twisting drug-fueled adventure. The main character was truly engaging, and I found myself completely invested in his elaborate plan for revenge. The setting of the early 80s Miami drug scene added an extra layer of authenticity and charm, almost becoming a character in its own right. The dialogue throughout the book was sharp and on point, perfectly complementing the great plot that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Overall, it was a highly enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend to others who are looking for a thrilling and entertaining story.

This book is not at all what I was anticipating from a Hiaasen work.

I am usually okay with a shift from humor to a more serious tone, but this particular book was truly excruciating to read.

It's not that it's poorly written; rather, it's just a real slog, filled mostly with unlikable characters.

The story seems to plod along, lacking the engaging and vibrant elements that I've come to expect from this author.

Despite all this, it still manages to get 3 stars because, objectively speaking, it's not a bad book.

It's just that it doesn't suit my personal taste.

Maybe others will find something more to enjoy in it, but for me, it was a bit of a disappointment.

I'll probably think twice before picking up another Hiaasen book in the future.

ReedIII Quick Review:

This particular work by Carl Hiaasen didn't quite meet my expectations. There was significantly less humor and satire than I had anticipated, which unfortunately made the story seem to drag on at times. It's just an okay revenge - crime novel. While it does have its moments, it lacks the spark and pizzazz that I usually associate with Hiaasen's writing. The plot, although interesting in concept, doesn't always unfold in the most engaging way. The characters, too, could have been more developed and fleshed out. Overall, it's a decent read, but not one that I would highly recommend. It fails to truly capture the essence and magic that makes Carl Hiaasen's other works so memorable.

Great book!

It's a bit more of a thriller, I would say, compared to most Hiaasen books. Although, you do encounter most of what you would anticipate. There are those amazing, eccentric characters that you simply adore.

I read this while traveling through Miami and on to Key West. As a result, the Florida references to the heat felt even more "real."

This book was enjoyable, with a fast pace that kept you guessing throughout. It had me on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what would happen next. The author's vivid descriptions of the Florida setting added an extra layer of authenticity to the story.

Overall, it was a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with a touch of humor and a cast of unforgettable characters.

Hooked

He is truly a master at writing stories. Having resided in this particular part of town for a while, he does an outstanding job of transporting you right back to the street. You can almost feel the cobblestones beneath your feet and smell the aroma of the local cafes. His descriptions are so vivid that you become completely immersed in the scene. It's as if you are walking alongside the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows. With each sentence, he weaves a web of intrigue and excitement that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Whether it's the hustle and bustle of the city or the quiet moments of reflection, he captures it all with remarkable precision. You can't help but be drawn into his world and eagerly await the next installment of his story.

This book is not the typical Carl Hiaasen novel.

It lacks the usual charm and excitement that his works are known for. I managed to get through only 50% of the book.

The story just seemed to drag along at a snail's pace. There was no real momentum or sense of urgency.

The characters were not as engaging as they usually are in Hiaasen's novels. I found myself losing interest quickly and finally gave up.

I was really disappointed with this book as I had high expectations. It just didn't live up to the standards set by his previous works.

Maybe it was just a one-off and his next book will be better. But for now, I'm left feeling a bit let down.

I would not recommend this book to others who are fans of Carl Hiaasen's typical style.

First of all, I have always been a big fan of Hiaasen's books. His writing style is usually engaging and full of interesting characters and storylines. However, this particular book was a huge disappointment for me.

Right from the start, the plot seemed unbelievable and inconsistent. The fact that Meadows was charged with murder early on in the book was simply dumb. He was being attacked and accidentally killed the professional who was trying to kill him. This is clearly a case of self-defense, and it made no sense for him to be charged with such a serious crime.

And then, by the end of the book, Meadows suddenly becomes some kind of badass who takes down a cartel boss. This was completely out of left field and felt forced. There was no build-up or explanation for how he suddenly became so capable and powerful. It all just seemed like a desperate attempt to wrap up the story in a dramatic way, but it fell flat for me.

Overall, I was really let down by this book. I had high expectations for it, but it failed to deliver on almost every level. I hope Hiaasen goes back to his roots and writes something more in line with his previous work in the future.

Much of the narration in this story is indeed to my liking.

The descriptions are truly great, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The narration is cleverly crafted, and there is a good use of our vocabulary, which adds depth and richness to the text. However, the plot leaves a lot to be desired. It simply is not believable.

The principle character makes numerous mistakes and often seems dumb.

As for the plot, a renowned architect witnesses the tragic death of his ex-wife and daughter when they are run over by an erratic car at high speed. Understandably, he is extremely upset and vows revenge. He can identify one of the people in the auto. This driving interest, through a series of increasingly dumb moves on his part, somehow magically makes him an equal among Cuban drug kingpins in Miami. And from within, he manages to bring them down.

Of course, there is sex in the story, and some poignant passages seasoned with Hiaasen's philosophy. But I still found the plot unbelievable. The architect, who is supposed to be a builder of exceptional ability, with laudable accomplishments and presumably adequate wealth, makes some downright stupid decisions that are completely inconsistent with the man he is painted to be.

One more criticism: the ending was weak. It felt a bit contrived, made little sense, and the build-up was far more than the incident itself. Yes, the bad guy is dead, but in all of this foreplay, we don't know how it happened. I suppose we are supposed to guess. My take is that I think the author too is perplexed.

However, I'm not giving up. Since I enjoyed some of Hiaasen's earlier work that combined lite sex and comedy, I'll try one more of these crime entries, this one done with a co-writer. I wonder if I'll see any checks and balances in this one.

Not his best work

I have always been a huge fan of his unique and rather strange Florida Man characters. They are known for getting involved in the most absurd and stupid crimes, all for the most illogical reasons. It's a kind of entertainment that is both hilarious and fascinating. However, this particular book seems to be a bit of a departure from his usual style. It attempts to venture into the complex and convoluted world of a druggy police saga. While the idea might have seemed interesting on paper, in execution, it just doesn't quite work. The story feels forced and the characters lack the charm and authenticity that his previous works have had. It's a bit of a disappointment, to be honest, especially considering how much I have enjoyed his other writings. I was really hoping for something more from this book, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

Superb!

This story is truly remarkable. It is extremely suspenseful, constantly keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

The characters in the story are not only interesting but also richly developed. Each one has their own unique personality, motives, and backstory.

As the story progresses, the reader becomes more and more invested in the lives of these characters, eagerly following their every move and decision.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a world that is both engaging and believable.

The details are vivid and the descriptions are so well-written that the reader can easily picture everything in their mind's eye.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller. It will keep you entertained from start to finish and leave you wanting more.

Just thought I'd point out that the book's cover makes a significant claim. It states that the book was written by Carl Hiaasen AND Bill Montalbano. Interestingly, both names are presented in the same font at the top of the page, giving equal prominence to both authors.

This book, despite being more than forty years old, has managed to retain its charm and relevance. It's quite remarkable that it doesn't feel hopelessly out of date. I suppose this is because there's still crime in Miami, and the people involved in it remain as determined as ever not to get caught. The setting of Miami adds a unique flavor to the story, with its vibrant culture and diverse cast of characters.

Overall, this book is a lot of fun to read. It's filled with plenty of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. There are more bad guys (a generic term that covers both sexes) than you can shake a stick at, each with their own unique personalities and motives. The plot is engaging and well-paced, making it a page-turner from start to finish. If you're a fan of crime fiction, this book is definitely worth checking out.

DNF at 22%

This was a free Amazon Prime read. I simply saw the author's name and downloaded it without giving the synopsis a more thorough read. I have really enjoyed numerous of Carl Hiaasen's novels that are centered around the theme of "Florida is full of wacky people and absurdity". I wrongly assumed that this one would be along the same lines. However, it is not at all. Instead, this is more of a hard-boiled detective novel that delves into the drug wars in Miami. If it had been great, I might have been able to go along with it. But unfortunately, I didn't find it interesting in the slightest. There was something lacking in the story that failed to engage me. Maybe it was the pacing, or perhaps the characters didn't come to life for me. Whatever the reason, I just couldn't get into it and decided to DNF at 22%.