The first non-Florida setting Hiaasen that I've read was an interesting departure.

Set in the 1980s, post-Cultural Revolution Red China, it follows Dr. Thomas Stratton, an art historian on tour.

When his friend and mentor, the brother of a high-ranking Communist official, dies, Stratton is drawn into an international murder mystery.

However, I did miss the snide, "Tim Dorsey-like," "Florida Man" humor that I've come to expect from Hiaasen's other works.

Overall, the story was just okay. It had its moments, but it didn't quite have the same charm and wit as his Florida-based novels.

Perhaps this was due to the unfamiliar setting or the different tone that Hiaasen was going for.

Nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable read and a unique addition to his body of work.

I'm curious to see if he'll explore more non-Florida settings in the future and how his writing will evolve in those contexts.

Didn't Finish

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in situations where we don't finish what we start. It could be a project at work, a task at home, or a personal goal. There are many reasons why this might happen. Maybe we lost interest, or we faced unexpected difficulties. It could also be that we simply ran out of time or energy. However, not finishing something can have consequences. It might affect our reputation, our relationships, or our self-esteem. We might feel disappointed in ourselves or worried about what others will think. But it's important to remember that not finishing is not the end of the world. We can always learn from our mistakes and try again. We can also break the task down into smaller, more manageable steps and focus on one thing at a time. With determination and perseverance, we can overcome the obstacles and achieve our goals.

I listened to the audiobook at night while lying in bed. At first, I was quite engaged, but as time passed, I gradually dozed off and slept through most of it. However, when I woke up and managed to catch the ending, I was pleasantly surprised. The conclusion was well-crafted and had a certain charm that made me feel that it was not a complete waste of time. Although I didn't fully experience the entire audiobook due to my slumber, based on the part I heard at the end, I decided to give it 3 stars. It shows that even with a less-than-ideal listening experience, the quality of the content can still have an impact on my evaluation.

I have a deep affection for Hiaasen due to the wacky characters and the almost-believable plots that grace his current mystery writing.

However, this early book of his predates the time when he realized that humor sells.

Nonetheless, it is still a good mystery, set in modern-day China.

But it is a far cry from his later work like Bad Monkey.

The story in this early book likely has its own charm and unique elements that distinguish it from his more well-known and humorous mysteries.

Perhaps it offers a different perspective on mystery-solving or delves into a different aspect of human nature.

Even though it may not have the same level of hilarity as some of his other works, it still has the potential to engage readers and keep them on the edge of their seats.

Overall, while it may not be in the same league as Bad Monkey, it is still a worthwhile read for fans of mystery novels.

The original article is not provided, so I can't rewrite and expand it specifically. However, I can give you a general example of how to expand an article.

Let's say the original article is: "The dog ran in the park. It was a beautiful day."

Expanded version:

The dog joyfully ran in the park.

The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was a clear blue.

The flowers were blooming, and the grass was green and lush.

It was truly a beautiful day to be outside and enjoy the nature.

The dog seemed to be having a great time, chasing after a ball and playing with other dogs.

It was a scene of pure happiness and freedom.

If you can provide the original article, I will be able to rewrite and expand it according to your requirements.

Surprisingly good, an early work by Carl Hiaasen.

I have only read his funny, quirky "Florida man" novels before. However, this one is quite different. It is more of a standard, wisecracking maverick spy adventure.

What makes it even more interesting is that it has some elements of China history thrown in.

The story unfolds with a unique blend of action, humor, and mystery. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Hiaasen's writing style is as sharp as ever, with his trademark wit and sarcasm adding an extra layer of entertainment.

If you're a fan of spy novels or just looking for a good read, this early work by Carl Hiaasen is definitely worth checking out.

I've been an ardent fan of Carl Hiaasen for many years. His satirical novels set in Florida, filled with humor and outrageously wacky characters, have always been a source of great entertainment for me.

Several years ago, I discovered that he had collaborated with his friend and fellow journalist, Bill Montalbano, on three novels: Powder Burn (1981), Trap Line (1982), and A Death in China (1984). This was before he penned his first solo novel, Tourist Season in 1986. As a die-hard fan, I wasted no time in ordering all three of these books from an online bookseller.

However, I put off reading them for a while as they didn't seem to conform to Hiaasen's typical world of eccentric Floridians. But finally, I got around to reading A Death in China. Although it didn't possess Hiaasen's usual trademark wit, it was still a really excellent mystery that was full of international intrigue and suspense.

The novel is set in 1980s China. Tom Stratton, an art teacher, has joined a tour group to visit the country. But he also has another purpose – to meet his friend and mentor, David Wang, a Chinese-American art historian. Wang is in China to reunite with his brother, an official in the Chinese government who is in charge of excavating priceless artifacts from the ancient tomb of the emperor Qin. Tragically, after a visit to his brother and the tomb, Wang dies. But was it a simple heart attack or something more nefarious? Stratton, a Vietnam war veteran, decides to seek answers and soon finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy involving Wang's brother, who will stop at nothing to prevent him from uncovering the truth.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel despite its departure from the typical Hiaasen style. I have a feeling that Montalbano may have been the primary author of this one. It's a very good thriller, and I'm looking forward to reading the other two novels co-written by Montalbano in the near future.

Worth the read!

I found this book to be a bit slow-paced at first. It actually took me a while to fully figure out the characters. However, I really like this author and I am determined to read more of his books.

Despite the initial slowness, there was something about the story that kept pulling me in. Maybe it was the unique writing style or the depth of the characters that I was gradually uncovering.

I believe that with each new book by this author, I will gain a deeper understanding of his literary world and be able to appreciate his work even more.

Worth the read!

A Death in China by Bill Montalbano and Carl Hiaasen is indeed a captivating thriller. However, I'm of the opinion that Carl Hiaasen might not have had a significant hand in the writing of this novel. It presents as a straightforward crime thriller, lacking any elements of satire.

China has undergone remarkable changes in infrastructure since the publication of this 1984 book. For instance, it now possesses more advanced means of spying on the activities of its citizens within its borders. The way the main character moves around "Peking" would be highly improbable in today's China. Currently, China is often misperceived as a hardfisted communist government hidden behind a façade of capitalism.

The book employs the older names for cities and places in China. It refers to Beijing as Peking, for example. In the story, most people in "Peking" use bicycles for transportation rather than cars, and they are depicted wearing Mao suits. Since the writing of A Death in China, China has changed rapidly and extensively. The government has wholeheartedly embraced the pursuit of wealth and individual consumption. Cities have been rebuilt with magnificent futuristic buildings. Nevertheless, I believe many Westerners are unaware that essentially all homeowners and condo owners are, in a sense, like trailer park residents. This is because the communist government owns all the land in perpetuity, and housing owners are essentially renters.

Tom Stratton, a member of the American Association of Art Historians, is in China as part of a museum tour. Stratton, a professor and art historian teaching in New England, had a past as a black-ops operative during the Vietnam War. One of his assignments in China to rescue hostages went disastrously wrong, and this incident continues to haunt him. However, that was long ago, and he has since transitioned from the military to the academic world. He decided to return to China for a visit as he was bored when the AAAH conference was announced. Additionally, he was excited to meet up with his mentor, David Wang. Wang not only helped Stratton become an art historian but also aided him in recovering from his war experiences.

Wang has retired and is living in the United States, but he has a brother, Wang Bin, who is a Deputy Minister in the communist government in China, a very powerful official in the Communist Party. Wang Bin invited David to visit him, and David agreed. He told Stratton that after meeting with his brother, he would meet Stratton at the hotel for dinner.

Strangely, David never shows up. Stratton makes inquiries at David's hotel and discovers that David's room has been emptied of his belongings and is being cleaned. When Stratton goes to the American embassy to report David's disappearance, the diplomats and the CIA dismiss his concerns as exaggerated. Then Stratton is informed that David is dead, supposedly from a heart attack. Stratton knows this is a lie. What is really going on?

Subsequently, the attacks on Stratton commence. Someone is attempting to kill him! But Stratton is determined not to go down easily. The battle is on, and Stratton is prepared to take on Wang Bin and all of China if necessary to find David.

I thoroughly enjoyed this thrilling beach read. However, the presence of an instant love interest slightly detracted from the story for me. The relationship reminded me somewhat of the more fantasy-based James Bond novels, which was a bit jarring. A Death in China portrays the dangers of secret operatives in a more straightforward and serious manner compared to the Bond books.

Carl Hiaasen is a well-known author famous for his novels set in Florida. However, this particular work is not set in Florida, which makes it a novel departure for him.

This change of setting might bring a fresh perspective to his writing. It allows him to explore different landscapes, cultures, and social issues that are unique to the new location.

Readers who are accustomed to Hiaasen's Florida settings might be initially surprised, but this new setting could also pique their curiosity and draw them into a different world.

By venturing outside of his familiar territory, Hiaasen has the opportunity to expand his creative horizons and offer his readers a new and exciting reading experience.

It will be interesting to see how he incorporates the new setting into the story and what kind of impact it will have on the overall narrative.

Overall, this novel not set in Florida is a bold move for Carl Hiaasen and one that is sure to generate interest and discussion among his fans.

This is one of Hiaasen's "adult" novels, as opposed to his "young adult" books.

It tells the story of an art historian who travels to China in the 1980s.

During his journey, he becomes involved in an intrigue related to the theft of some of the famed Emperor's soldiers that were discovered a few years earlier.

The plot is very interesting, and while it may not be as funny as his "young adult" novels, it manages to convey a great deal of information about the Chinese government during that period.

The author skillfully weaves together a tale of mystery and adventure, set against the backdrop of China's rich history and culture.

Readers will be drawn into the story and will gain a deeper understanding of the events and circumstances that shaped China in the 1980s.

Overall, this is a captivating and informative novel that is sure to appeal to fans of Hiaasen's work, as well as those interested in Chinese history and culture.

If you have a penchant for thrillers that are filled with more plot twists than the countless spaghetti strands in an unopened box of that delicious pasta, then this tightly-written novel might just be the perfect fit for you. It's also the case if you can stomach a few really gory and hard-to-visualize violence incidents.

However, it helps if you take a close look at the copyright date. This is the China of the late twentieth century. (Things have indeed changed since then.)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's not your typical Carl Hiaasen offering; there's no snarky commentary about Florida. But that doesn't mean it's any less fun. In fact, it offers a unique and engaging storyline that kept me hooked from start to finish.

NOTE: My copy of this book claims it was written by Carl Hiaasen and Bill Montalbano. However, some of the other editions don't show this. It's an interesting point to note, but it doesn't detract from the overall quality of the novel.