Yes, it's another Carl Hiaasen book. This one was one of his earlier ones, written in 1986, and it's obviously dated: typewriters, Lacoste shirts, Jane Fonda workouts! Alas, mucho memories of my college days! Like my last Hiaasen review (Sick Puppy), this, too, follows the environmental terrorism theme in a crime novel fashion. However, unlike Sick Puppy, this read is not nearly as humerous. In fact, there just isn't much to laugh about at all. Perhaps the author developed his sense of humor over time. I simply didn't enjoy it as much as the latter. I guess I should've read this first (keeping in chronological order). I found myself comparing it to Sick Puppy. Nevertheless, this second review of another Hiaasen was still good, just not great. It's a bit formula, not deep, and a very light, fast read. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, it flowed & got more suspenseful. I did laugh at the 80s Miami (which wasn't intentionally written for humor, but reading it 19 years later puts a funny perspective on the times) i.e.: very gay and pink, as opposed to what Miami has now become: a hot, trendy, "in" place to party and be seen. No ex-gov Skink in this book, he's not invented yet. Each of the terrorists here has a personal agenda, wanting to instill violence for his own reasons. This book dabbles in a bit of politico; i.e., 1 terrorist is an anti-communist, anti-Castro wannabe Cuban revolutionary, but he's very pathetic and is a loser and fumbler in his scare tactics. The book also highlights Floridian journalism (recall that Hiaasen is a columnist at the Miami Herald). Hence, another character is a columnist-turned terrorist. The hero, too, is a journalist-turned private eye. Surprisingly, the ending was a bit poignant and somewhat sad. I know of at least 3 other bar members who've read this: Glenn, Alan and Jeff. So I welcome your comments, as always. I may read Basket Case next, and then take a "Hiaasen Hiatus" for a while!
