"Powder Burn" was an outstanding read that had me completely engrossed. It was so captivating that I found myself staying up long past my bedtime, reluctant to put it down even for essential things like work.

I have always had a great appreciation for Hiaasen's wild and crazy tales set in South Florida, often finding myself laughing out loud at the madness he portrays. However, "Powder Burn" was a departure from his usual style. It was a smart and reasonably believable story that delved into the drug trade between Columbia and the United States around 1979 - 1980.

While there wasn't an abundance of hilarity, the story was incredibly gripping. The characters and their relationships were masterfully developed, making them feel real and relatable. The plot had several branches that added depth and complexity, and they all eventually resolved in a satisfying way. The climax was a nail-biter, hanging in the balance until the very end, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Overall, it was a well-written and engaging book that I would highly recommend. Well done!

I have a deep love for Carl Hiaasen. It all started when I got hooked on "Bad Monkey," and ever since then, I have been devouring his bibliography with great lust and enjoyment. However, this particular book has been a disappointment. I managed to force myself through half of it, but I still find myself wondering if it's really the same Hiaasen who is writing. The story feels absolutely shallow, lacking any characters that one can sympathize with or connect to. There are clichés aplenty, and the worst part is the protagonist's inner dialogues, which are truly unbearable to witness as a reader. Fortunately, I have a few more of his books on my shelf, so I can bid farewell to this one without having to finish it. If this is your first encounter with Carl Hiaasen's work, do yourself a favor and choose another one. You'll be instantly rewarded with a more engaging and satisfying reading experience.

Hiaasen, as always, presents an entertaining and engaging story. His writing style has a unique charm that captivates readers from the very beginning. The story is filled with vivid characters and unexpected plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. It's the kind of book that you can easily lose yourself in, forgetting about the outside world for a while.

What makes this story even more appealing is that it's the ideal read for a lazy summer day. You can relax on the beach, by the pool, or in the shade of a tree and let Hiaasen's words transport you to another place. The light-hearted tone and humorous elements add to the enjoyment, making it a great way to unwind and have some fun.

Whether you're a fan of Hiaasen's previous works or new to his writing, this story is sure to delight. It's a must-read for anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging book to pass the time during the summer months.

Maybe I'm a little too harsh with the 1-star rating, but I truly found this book to be too dated and predictable.

I had anticipated something that was a bit more literary in nature, rather than a simple crime caper.

In the world of literature, there are just so many authors who excel in this particular genre and do a much better job.

Given the abundance of excellent alternatives, it seems rather unwise to spend precious time reading this one.

It's a shame really, as there was potential for something more engaging and thought-provoking.

However, as it stands, this book fails to meet the mark and falls short of what I was hoping for.

Perhaps for some readers, it might still hold a certain charm, but for me, it simply didn't cut it.

I would recommend looking elsewhere for a more satisfying literary experience within the crime genre.

I have been an ardent fan of Carl Hiaasen’s Florida crime novels for a long time.

When I initially picked up this particular book, I was completely unaware that it was written nearly 40 years ago.

It presented a captivating Florida story set in the 80s, revolving around the wild and chaotic cocaine trade during that era.

The narrative was filled with the unique charm and vivid descriptions that are characteristic of Hiaasen’s works.

However, when comparing it to his more recent books such as Razor Girl and Bad Monkey, I must admit that I truly enjoyed the classics much more.

The newer novels seemed to have a more contemporary feel, with characters and storylines that were perhaps more relatable to the current times.

Nevertheless, this older book still had its own merits and provided an interesting glimpse into the past.

It was a reminder of how far the author has come and how his writing has evolved over the years.

Overall, while I may have a preference for the more recent works, I can still appreciate the value of this earlier piece of Hiaasen’s literary output.

Carl Hiaasen is a well-known author, and this particular book is one of his earlier works.

It received a rating of 3.5 stars, which was rounded down.

Given that it was written earlier, it does have a bit of a dated feel to it.

Compared to some of his other books, it lacks the same level of sarcastic wit that his fans have come to love.

However, it's possible that this could be due to the influence of the co-author.

Overall, the book is not bad. It has its moments and can still be an enjoyable read.

But it definitely doesn't come close to being my favorite among Hiaasen's works.

Perhaps as his writing has evolved over the years, his more recent books have a stronger appeal.

Nonetheless, this earlier book is still worth checking out for those interested in exploring Hiaasen's literary journey.

This book has truly not fared well in the era of #timesup. The women within its pages are simply described as "long-legged," lacking any other significant details about their identities or the reasons why they all appear so eager to allow a man to freely come and go in their lives. It feels like a tiresome compilation of male fantasies.

The only glimmer of humor is the unintended kind that emerges from the descriptions of women.

I chose to listen to the audiobook version. However, the reader's pace is excruciatingly slow, which ironically makes it a somewhat suitable choice for a bedtime read.

The link provided, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/..., offers further insights into the topic.

Overall, this book seems to be a relic of a bygone era, failing to meet the expectations and sensitivities of the modern age.

Before Hiaasen became renowned for his idiosyncratic novels that showcase crazy characters (with the wild state of Florida itself being one of them), he co-authored a series of crime novels. I am a huge aficionado of Hiaasen, but I don't believe this particular book has endured well over time. It leans more towards being like Miami Vice rather than a madcap Florida adventure with a touch of crime interjected. The characters are drawn in a highly stereotypical manner, and his portrayal of racial/ethnic minorities and women borders on being racist and misogynistic. I found the Spanglish incorporated to be more irritating than "adding cultural flavor."

My most significant grievance, however, was the plot elements that simply didn't make sense. The main character, an architect named Chris Meadows, encounters an old flame early in the novel. It's not much of a spoiler to state that she passes away within the next chapter. Nevertheless, his connection to her appears otherwise inconsequential. She could have simply been a "random woman whose death I witnessed" rather than a former lover. Later in the book, Meadows makes certain choices that seem completely out of character, and the book lags in the middle half as it attempts to rescue the plot.

My final complaint - and I'll admit this is extremely picky - is as follows: it's a blunder to name your main character with a surname that ends in's'. It results in very awkwardly worded sentences when trying to add possessives. (For example, "This was all due to Meadows's desire to read a better book.") It just sounds clumsy! You can select any name for your characters! Come up with one that sounds good in any part of the story. That being said, I remain a die-hard Hiaasen fan. It was enjoyable to read a book set in the early 1980s. No cell phones. No computers. Just old-fashioned police work in crazy ol' South Florida.

It is very likely that it is my own fault.

As I had anticipated a storyline that moved at a rapid pace, filled with sharp sarcasm and extremely bizarre characters.

This work represents a significant departure from his previous style, as it delves into the realm of a gangster drug land story.

To be honest, this particular genre and style are simply not my personal favorite.

I find myself longing for the kind of narrative and tone that he had previously employed, which had always managed to capture my attention and imagination.

However, it is important to note that everyone has their own creative evolution, and perhaps this new direction is a necessary step for his artistic growth.

Nevertheless, for me, this particular work fails to resonate in the same way that his earlier works did.

It is truly a shock whenever I pick up a book from this decade, specifically the 1980s or those in its vicinity. It is modern times, yet not entirely. There are no cell phones, laptops, or tablets. The televisions, if mentioned, are CRTs, not the sleek flat screens we are accustomed to today. The car doors are opened with keys, lacking the accompanying chirp. And most of the windows are operated with a crank instead of a simple push of a button.

This is the era of Crockett and Tubbs of Miami Vice. It was also the era of marijuana, and when cocaine began to emerge as the prominent pleasure drug of choice, even before crack and long before we fortunate Americans initiated the homegrown opioid crisis, eliminating our reliance on imports from Latin American countries. Oh yes, America First! (Perhaps that wall should be constructed around big pharma producers?)

I don't recall precisely when I first had the good fortune to discover Mr. Hiassen; it was likely somewhere in the 90s or perhaps even the 2000s. I have only read his novels that he wrote himself and that deal with Florida's environment as much as crime, and with a wit that can have someone being decapitated in one paragraph and then have you rolling on the floor in laughter in the next, thanks to Hiassen's sharp wit.

This particular book didn't possess that same level of wit. At most, there were lines of prose that were mildly amusing but hardly knee-slapping funny. So does that mean this book isn't as good as those others? Welllllll... It depends.

It depends on your personal taste. You may prefer to read about a body discovered in the trunk of a burning car without any wit involved in the telling, or you might find yourself roaring with laughter at Skink, the wayward ex-governor in Hiassen's later books and enjoy it more. Then again, you may be able to appreciate both books, finding pleasure in reading either genre. I am fortunate enough to belong to that latter group.

So this was my first foray into Carl's early work, which he co-authored with the late William Montalbano. If I had to do more than simply flip a coin to determine which I like best, it would probably be the later books, but not by a significant margin. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I relished the intricacies of the plot, the mindset of the various characters, both the protagonists and the antagonists.

So what is this book about? It is about characters with integrity and those without. It is about death, sometimes of the guilty and sometimes of the innocent who perish for no good reason other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that is truly not a good reason at all. And it is about people who meet their demise because of poor relationship choices.

How does all of this play out? Read the book and find out for yourself. If you have a penchant for intricate plots, good guys who are not flawless, some bad guys who are not entirely evil, and some who are, then you may very well enjoy this book. I certainly did.

Good Tale


I really relished reading this book. The story was engaging and held my attention throughout. However, there was one aspect that I couldn't help but be frustrated with, and that was the lack of page numbers. It seems like such a simple and fundamental thing to do. I mean, what could be so difficult about numbering the pages? It makes it so much easier to refer back to specific sections or passages. Without page numbers, it becomes a bit of a hassle to find something again. But aside from that minor annoyance, I truly enjoyed the book. The characters were well-developed, and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat. It was a great read overall, despite the page number issue.

If you're on the hunt for a quintessential, snarky, and intimately-Florida Hiassen book, then unfortunately, you might want to skip this particular one.

Unlike his other works, this book takes a rather different turn. It leans towards being sadder and more filled with conniving characters and plotlines. What's more, it has a certain level of confusion that can cause you, as the reader, to gradually disengage from the story.

It's not that it lacks any redeeming qualities, but it just doesn't have the same charm and allure that Hiassen's other books are known for. I found myself plodding through it, simply with the intention of getting it done and over with.

Perhaps if you approach it with a different mindset or lower expectations, you might find something to appreciate. But for those who are used to the typical Hiassen style, this one might come as a bit of a disappointment.