This is a truly terrible book that is filled to the brim with overly flowery and purple prose, along with inappropriately used phrases.

It completely lacks any sense of humor, which makes it a rather dull and uninteresting read.

One can't help but wonder what the split in writing tasks was between Hiaasen and Montalbano.

It seems that the authors were in the process of trying to learn how to write fiction, as this was Hiaasen's first published novel.

However, the lead character's behavior is truly painful to read. He comes across as being far too stupid, which makes it difficult for the reader to engage with him or care about his story.

Overall, this book is a disappointment and fails to live up to any expectations one might have had.

I have a distinct preference for the stand-alone books written by Carl Hiaasen over those that he has co-authored. However, despite this preference, I must admit that I did find this particular book to be quite enjoyable. It is a relatively easy read, which makes it accessible to a wide range of readers.

The story is engaging and filled with Hiaasen's trademark humor and wit. The characters are well-developed and the plot twists keep the reader on their toes. Even though it may not be on the same level as some of his stand-alone masterpieces, it still manages to hold its own and provide an entertaining reading experience.

Overall, I would recommend this book to both fans of Carl Hiaasen and those who are new to his work. It's a great way to get introduced to his unique writing style and enjoy a lighthearted and fun story.

Here, you have the opportunity to take a trip back in time to the era of Crockett and Tubbs, with the soulful voice of Phil Collins singing "Something in the air tonight...." playing in the background. This is South Florida during the cocaine-fueled heyday of the early 1980s, as witnessed through the eyes of a cynical cop, a straight-laced cop partner, a chess master-football player dropout, our main character architect, and a cast of other rather colorful characters. Hiaasen's trademark humor is notably absent in this first novel. Nevertheless, it is still not a bad read and is perfect for a quick beach getaway. It offers an interesting glimpse into a bygone era and the lives of its diverse cast of characters. 3 Stars

When your past comes visiting,

it can be a truly harrowing experience. And it gets even worse when you unfortunately witness the past meet their fate during a contract hit right in the midst of the cocaine wars that are raging in the streets of Miami.

This is exactly what happens to a middle-class architect. He finds himself in a truly difficult situation, unable to decide which is worse: the thugs who are hell-bent on killing him, the police who have proven to be unreliable and fickle even on the best of days, or the drug lord who, surprisingly, is a respected and sterling member of the local community.

With no clear solution in sight and facing such dire circumstances, he finally decides that he has no choice but to take things into his own hands. He must find a way to protect himself and navigate through this dangerous and complex web of violence and corruption.

Huge plot holes mar this book, making it a rather disjointed read. The thinly veiled misogyny is truly off-putting, showing a disrespect for women that is unacceptable. What's more, the writers seem to have an apparent loathing of anyone who is unattractive or fat, which is both unfair and unkind.

Another major issue is the insistence on writing dialogue in Spanish without bothering to consult a Spanish speaker or dictionary for correct spelling. This lack of attention to detail is simply sloppy and detracts from the overall quality of the book.

It's truly a shame because I have liked other books by Carl Hiaasen. However, this particular one was a complete disappointment, leaving me at a loss for words as to why it fell so short. I'm really glad that I'll never have to subject myself to this book again.

I had such high hopes for it, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver on multiple fronts. It serves as a reminder that even great authors can have off days.

I absolutely loved this book.

I had read "Bad Monkey" by Hiasson some time ago, and this latest read just solidifies the fact that he has become one of my new favorite authors.

This particular book was written back in the 1980s, so naturally, some of the references might seem a bit dated. However, that in no way detracts from the overall quality of the story.

The narrative is truly fantastic, filled with engaging characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read, regardless of whether they are a fan of Hiasson or not. It's a great example of how a well-written story can stand the test of time.

So, if you're looking for a new book to add to your collection, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed!

I was anticipating a typical Hiaasen light and wild satire. However, what I got was a much heavier exploration of the world of drugs and the forces that govern its distribution.

This particular work is the first installment of a trilogy. Having been so intrigued by this initial book, I have already gone ahead and purchased the second one.

The story delves deep into the dark underbelly of the drug trade, revealing the complex web of power, corruption, and greed that lies beneath. It presents a more serious and thought-provoking side of Hiaasen's writing, challenging the reader to confront the harsh realities of this illegal and dangerous world.

As I continue to read through the trilogy, I am eager to see how the story unfolds and how the characters navigate through this perilous landscape. Will they be able to overcome the forces that seek to control them, or will they become yet another casualty of the drug trade? Only time will tell.

Not one of Hiaasen's better offerings

I decided to order and read this particular book after having delved into several other titles penned by the same author. However, to my disappointment, it simply did not measure up to the high caliber of many of his other remarkable novels. It wasn't an absolute disaster of a read; there were still some redeeming qualities. But it definitely wasn't a book that I would wholeheartedly encourage a friend to pick up in order to introduce them to the wonderful body of work this author has produced. It lacked that certain spark and charm that made his other books so captivating and engaging. I found myself less invested in the story and the characters compared to his previous masterpieces.

Perhaps it was an off day for the author, or maybe my expectations were set too high. Nevertheless, this particular offering left me with a sense of unfulfillment. I will still look forward to reading more from Hiaasen in the future, hoping that he will once again deliver the kind of books that have made him a favorite among many readers.

Architect Chris Meadows finds himself深陷于佛罗里达州的一场毒品战争之中。当他目睹一位旧情人及其女儿被一辆汽车撞倒（并当场死亡）时，他无意间成为了下一个目标，因为他是目击者，能够指认出相关责任人。

与哈森的其他作品不同，这本书既没有幽默元素，也没有环境主题。我确实认为这本书是与他人合著的。在接近尾声时有一个简短的“场景”，还算有点意思。我觉得我并不真正喜欢书中的任何一个角色（包括克里斯，又名“梅多斯”（我也不喜欢只称呼角色的姓氏））。这不是我最喜欢的主题——毒品——而且也不如我读过的他的其他作品好。不过，与此同时，我会认为这本书“还可以”。

Overall, "Architect Chris Meadows and the Drug War" is an average read. It lacks the charm and wit that are characteristic of Hiaasen's other books. The story is engaging enough, but the characters could have been more developed. The absence of humour and the environmental theme also make it stand out from his previous works. While it's not a bad book, it doesn't quite measure up to the high standards set by Hiaasen.

Normally, I have a deep admiration for Carl Hiassen. His works usually captivate me with their unique charm and engaging storylines. However, this particular book left me feeling disappointed. I couldn't help but wonder if it was perhaps due to the co-author.

What really bothered me was the unpleasantly sexist tone that ran throughout the narrative. It was quite off-putting and detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book. Additionally, the writing seemed to lack the usual Hiassen wit and wackiness that I have come to love. The story felt flat and lacking in the kind of humor and creativity that I expect from his works.

The main character also left a lot to be desired. He was rather undeveloped, and we only got to know what he did, rather than who he truly was. There was no depth or complexity to his character, which made it difficult for me to connect with him on an emotional level.

Despite this disappointment, I still hold out hope that I will fall in love with Carl Hiassen's writing again when I read another one of his books that is solely his work. I believe that he has the talent and creativity to produce truly outstanding novels, and I look forward to experiencing that again in the future.

The overall experience was not very good, to be honest.

I was actually quite disappointed. In my opinion, it was way too long.

It really didn't seem to be one of Hiaasen's best works.

The story might have had some interesting elements, but the excessive length made it drag on.

Perhaps if it had been more concise and tightly edited, it could have been a more engaging read.

As it stands, it just didn't live up to the expectations I had based on Hiaasen's previous books.

I was hoping for something more exciting and captivating, but unfortunately, this one fell short.

Maybe others will have a different opinion, but for me, it was a bit of a letdown.

1981 was a year when the Medellin cocaine cartel and the Miami cocaine superhighway had already become firmly established.

Less than 12 months after the publication of this novel, President Reagan would set up the South Florida Task Force, and Scarface was already in the early stages of production.

The Colombian cocaine violence had been the most captivating topic for the news to focus on for several years before.

Therefore, I find it难以置信 that the average American citizen was not well informed about the exploding cocaine epidemic, where the cocaine was coming from (Columbia), and how it was arriving via Miami.

However, in the slow opening chapters of this book, the authors feel the need to make the protagonist extremely naive. He doesn't even know that coke is short for cocaine, perhaps as a means to lead the readers through The Miami Drug War For Dummies.

Maybe the authors were worried that the kind of Americans who read novels were too protected to be familiar with drugs, but this just comes across as insulting.

Especially when, later in the book, every single character introduced in the story is using coke, which is a much more realistic portrayal of the period.

It is unfortunate that the authors felt the need to do so much guiding in the early stages.

Most likely, it is a result of this being the authors' first novel that the first 4 chapters are of subpar quality. But if you can persevere through them, things start to get interesting in chapters 5 and 6, and from chapter 7 onwards, you will be hooked.

This novel is not a masterpiece and definitely shows its age, but it is enjoyable enough once it finally gets going.