Fascinating story

This was an extremely captivating read that truly held my attention from start to finish. The author had masterfully crafted a narrative filled with numerous unexpected plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. At times, I found myself a bit confused and had trouble fully grasping the complex plot and the multifaceted characters. However, as the story progressed, everything gradually fell into place, and it was truly a remarkable experience to see how all the pieces fit together seamlessly at the end. It was as if a beautiful puzzle had been solved right before my eyes, leaving me with a sense of satisfaction and wonder. This story is definitely one that I would highly recommend to others who enjoy a good mystery with plenty of surprises.

Drugs, cartel deals, and a young family is wiped out by rivalry

In this thrilling story, a hit man is hot on the trail of an individual. The reason? He simply recognized the killer and had the courage to report him to the police. The murderer is driven by a toxic combination of revenge, the need to tie up loose ends, and a warped sense of macho honor. Nowhere is the architect of this chaos safe. The characters in this story are excellent, each with their own unique motives and personalities. There is plenty of heart-pounding action that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. And just when you think you have it all figured out, there are unexpected twists that turn the plot upside down. This is the first installment of a series that is well worth the time investment. It will draw you in and keep you hooked from start to finish.

An interesting drug novel set in Miami/South Florida explores the intense rivalry between Cubans and Columbians. The story unfolds in the vibrant and gritty streets of this region, where the drug trade thrives. The novel delves deep into the complex world of these two powerful groups, their motives, and their methods. It showcases the dangerous and often violent nature of the drug business, as well as the personal and emotional toll it takes on those involved. With vivid descriptions and engaging characters, this novel takes readers on a thrilling ride through the underbelly of Miami/South Florida. It offers a unique perspective on the drug trade and the people who are caught up in it, making it a must-read for fans of crime and thriller novels.

Great Local Color and Plot
This Hiaasen thriller is truly outstanding. It offers a great read for anyone who has a penchant for great intrigue. What sets it apart is the superb local color that supports the entire narrative. The author has done an excellent job of bringing the setting to life, making the reader feel as if they are right there in the midst of the action. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. It's a captivating story that will leave you wanting more. Thanks a lot, Carl, for this wonderful piece of work.

As this was Hiaasen's first novel (along with his friend and co-worker William Montalbano), it presents a classic scenario of an author still in the process of finding his unique voice.

If, like me, you have perused most of Hiaasen's later works such as "Tourist Season," the Skink books, and the YA ones, you would be hard-pressed to identify this as his if his name wasn't emblazoned on the cover. There is a dearth of Hiaasen's characteristic humor and the absence of the truly eccentric characters that he would later become renowned for.

Indeed, this reads more akin to a John D MacDonald Travis McGee novel, with a touch of Tom Wolfe's social commentary thrown in. In fact, it feels like a shorter, Miami-set precursor to Wolfe's "Bonfire of the Vanities," in the sense that an ordinary yuppie becomes embroiled in the seedy criminal underworld. In this instance, it's the realm of coke dealers. However, Chris Meadows is much more of a heroic figure.

Anyway, while not a bad effort by any means, it is almost unrecognizable for fans of Hiaasen's classic works.

This is decent.

I prefer Hiaasen's more humorous works. The full-on crime stuff was cool, but it only held my interest to a certain extent. It kind of felt like it took a while to really gain momentum.

There also seemed to be a bit of a disconnect in the protagonist in the latter half of the book compared to the former, and there wasn't enough real justification for it.

It's probably okay for someone looking for a straightforward and creative crime novel, but I thought it could have been improved.

Maybe if there had been more character development or a more engaging plot twist, it would have been more captivating.

Overall, it was an okay read, but not one that I would highly recommend.

However, I still look forward to reading more of Hiaasen's works in the future to see if he can surprise me with something even better.

The first thing any Carl Hiaasen fan must do before reading this or the other two books co-authored with William Montalbano is to not read it as something other than a Hiaasen novel.

Nothing about his trademark style and humor is present. In fact, who knows how much of this is Hiaasen and how much is Montalbano?

This is a serious thriller and starts off really good. The initial setup grabs the reader's attention and creates an air of mystery and anticipation.

However, as it went on, I felt like the authors tried way too hard with plot complexity and different narratives.

They seemed to be cramming in too many elements and subplots, which made the story more dense than the scope and story was suited for.

It became a bit of a jumble, and at times, it was difficult to keep track of all the different threads and characters.

Overall, while the book had a promising start, it ultimately fell short due to its overcomplicated plot and lack of a cohesive narrative.

It's a shame, as I was really looking forward to a typical Hiaasen adventure, but instead, I got something quite different.

Drugs and Murder in Miami


This particular book stood out in Carl Hiaasen's oeuvre as it deviated from the humorous tone that characterized many of his novels. Instead, it presented a more straightforward and gritty crime story. The narrative centered around an architect who, through a series of unfortunate events, found himself inadvertently embroiled in drug-related deaths. On the other side of the coin was a police captain with a rather cynical approach to law enforcement. The story unfolded with a sense of tension and mystery, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. What made it a truly good read was the unconventional resolution of the story. It didn't follow the typical formulaic ending that one might expect in a crime novel, but rather took an unexpected turn that left a lasting impression. Overall, "Drugs and Murder in Miami" was a captivating and unique addition to the crime fiction genre.

Carl Hiaasen's Powder Burn is a crime novel that offers a fairly uncomplicated yet engaging narrative.

Set in Florida during the 1980s, it features some truly captivating characters who find themselves in a battle against powerful drug lords.

The most appealing aspect of this book is undoubtedly its intricate plot, which builds up to a highly satisfying conclusion.

Chris Meadows, the central character, starts off as likable but undergoes a significant transformation in the middle of the story, becoming rather despicable.

It was initially unclear whether this was just an act or if the character had truly turned to the dark side.

In hindsight, however, this change makes perfect sense, although it required some patience on the part of the reader for several chapters.

Hiaasen is known for his ability to blend zany humor with shocking crime, but in Powder Burn, there is a relatively limited amount of the former and an abundance of the latter.

Nonetheless, the writing is engaging enough to keep the reader hooked, and the story progresses at a brisk pace.

His skill in creating a vivid sense of place is outstanding. As he describes the Florida Everglades or the steamy humidity of South Florida, one can almost hear the buzzing of mosquitoes.

While Powder Burn may not be Hiaasen's finest work, it is still an entertaining and well-constructed story that fans of the author will surely want to add to their reading list.

Overall, it earns a solid 3 1/2 stars, which I have rounded up to four for its entertainment value and engaging plot.

I initially had the impression that this was a thriller belonging to the 1980s. As such, I was rather forgiving when it came to all the hackneyed tropes that it presented. After all, in that era, certain clichés were perhaps more common and accepted.

However, to my surprise, I later discovered that it was actually from 2010! This revelation completely changed my perspective. In a time when the film industry has advanced so much and there is a wealth of new and innovative ideas, seeing these tired old tropes felt rather disappointing.

I now find myself feeling far less magnanimous towards this movie. It seems that in the context of 2010, it should have been able to offer something more fresh and exciting, rather than relying on the same old tricks that have been done countless times before.

Where is Carl?

This question lingers as the story seems to lack any humor or those delightfully quirky characters that often add flavor to a narrative.

How on earth can one escape with their life not just once, but twice, and still fail to recognize that the driver of a speeding car, who narrowly misses them each time, is clearly out to kill?

It's truly baffling.

Moreover, there is another aspect that really bugs me about this book - there are way too many adverbs.

It's a pet peeve of mine when a writer overuses them, as it can sometimes make the prose feel cluttered and less engaging.

One hopes that in future editions, these issues will be addressed to make the reading experience more enjoyable and the story more impactful.

A complete departure from Carl Hiaasen’s other Florida tales.

This work truly showcases a different side of Hiaasen. I really didn’t know he could write a serious, yet entertaining work like this.

It delves deep into the drug world in Miami, painting a vivid picture of the seedy underbelly. We see the complex web of characters involved, from the drug dealers to the innocent bystanders affected by it.

The story is filled with tension and drama, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Hiaasen’s writing is as sharp as ever, with his unique brand of humor shining through even in the darkest of situations.

Good job! This is a must-read for fans of Hiaasen and anyone interested in a thrilling and thought-provoking story about the realities of the drug trade.