leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
A little too close to recent events HA! A spoof on a recent presidency and world events, with atypical Skink style of justice.
whitmc's review against another edition
3.0
The bright yellow cover called to me from my neighborhood Little Free Library and the cover quote promised a ridiculous escape. It delivered. Totally absurd and amazing in its absurdity. I have always wondered about Hiaasen and I’m happy to now understand. Loved the “main” character and her contrast to the absurdity that was a little too close to reality for comfort
readwithdyl's review against another edition
4.0
Though not my favorite Hiaasen novel, it was a funny and wild ride as always. And a hilarious satire of the former President and his wife.
kurtwombat's review against another edition
2.0
There are flashes of classic Hiaasen: oddball characters, snarky wit, uniquely crazy situations and mayhem mixed with a central mystery or two. This, however, is not classic Hiassen. Where he aims to make a statement--shots at politicians and politics, being pro-environment, and being pro immigrant—he is ham-fisted and dreary. When he goes to his strengths—building insane characters—he falls short. It starts out well enough, letting the air out of the rich by having one of them devoured by a snake at a heartless charity function setting up a mini-mystery. Unfortunately that story line peters out about half way into the book. Reading perks along okay to that point then seems to go into a holding pattern looking for a runway. We keep treading air until the last 50 pages or so then it picks up some and has a decent landing. My favorite Hiassen character from his books (and one of my favorites from any book) is Skink—former Governor of Florida. This marvelous creation is trotted out here but given too little to do. The point of it all seems to be taking shots at Donald Trump, never named but quite obviously present. Initially I thought it would be a hoot to have him deservedly skewered, but by the end it just made me sad. Maybe it’s too soon to pull down the devil’s drawers. Or maybe treating him like a buffoon is less appropriate than treating him like a menace. Trump certainly feels like a Hiassen creation—a cartoonish remorseless, self-absorbed loudmouth—maybe he should have been the center of the book instead of a wacky side character. If you want to read better Hiassen—my favorite is TOURIST SEASON. SKIN TIGHT and DOUBLE WHAMMY are also quite good.
carlyghee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ichirofakename's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent effort, aided by the inclusion of DJT as a character.
cjeanne99's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Another winner with laugh out loud moments from Hiaasen. The action takes place in Palm Beach County, starting with the mysterious disappearance of 72 year old widow during a fundraising event at a private estate. The next night, wildlife exterminator Angela Armstrong is called to the same estate to remove a python from the premises - without disturbing the wealthy guests at that night's fundraiser. From the bulge in it's stomach and it's lethargy, Angie can see that the python has recently eaten - she decapitates it and places the body in a freezer she keeps as part of her business. (here is the one small plot point that Hiaasen tweaks - I'm pretty sure that Angie is required to take the python to a state lab immediately - not at her convenience - but - the whole story falls apart if she gets the python to the state too quickly).
And now the fun begins, the estate manager hires two burglars to steal the snake's body from Angie and "dispose of it". They bungle the job, separating the snake from the dead widow's body. Turns out the dead woman was a member of "The Potussies", a group of wealthy women who adore the current president, donating money to his campaigns and lunching at "Casa Belicosa", the Winter White House where they are all members. The snake, the dead woman, a conch shell necklace, a wrongly arrested political refugee named Diego, a tanning bed, secret service agents, Mastodon (president) and Mockingbird (first lady) - these components alone make for a great book - but Hiaasen gives us more. Angie has a stalker who moves from random phone calls to actually trying to harm her. More pythons are released in Palm Beach County. Angie is contacted by Jim Tile who arranges for her to meet with one of my favorite Hiaasen characters - Skink.
I loved the audio book - but missed the opportunity to highlight the laugh out loud moments - of which there were many.
And now the fun begins, the estate manager hires two burglars to steal the snake's body from Angie and "dispose of it". They bungle the job, separating the snake from the dead widow's body. Turns out the dead woman was a member of "The Potussies", a group of wealthy women who adore the current president, donating money to his campaigns and lunching at "Casa Belicosa", the Winter White House where they are all members. The snake, the dead woman, a conch shell necklace, a wrongly arrested political refugee named Diego, a tanning bed, secret service agents, Mastodon (president) and Mockingbird (first lady) - these components alone make for a great book - but Hiaasen gives us more. Angie has a stalker who moves from random phone calls to actually trying to harm her. More pythons are released in Palm Beach County. Angie is contacted by Jim Tile who arranges for her to meet with one of my favorite Hiaasen characters - Skink.
I loved the audio book - but missed the opportunity to highlight the laugh out loud moments - of which there were many.
lizmarkus's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
danie_d's review against another edition
5.0
I love Skink. You never know where he's going to pop up! This was a funny read all the characters are well rounded. May want to read the Skink books to know a little bit more about him before reading this one.