Joey Perrone is a woman with a mission. She's just been pushed overboard from a cruise liner by Chaz, her scumbag husband, and survived to tell the tale. But rather than reporting him to the police, she decides to stay dead and - with a little help from her friends and a few of Chaz's enemies - instead of getting mad, she's going to get even. "Skinny Dip" takes us on a journey through the warped politics of Southern Florida and through the madness created by the human heart.
In his attempt to lead a quiet life, ex-investigator Mick Stranaham doesn't expect to have a Mafia hit-man come knocking on his door. He disposes of him promptly with a stuffed marlin head. On closer inspection he notices that the man has recently undergone plastic surgery.
When Mrs Starch, the most feared biology teacher in Florida, goes missing during a school trip to the Black Vine Swamp, her class is secretly relieved. The school principal tries to cover it up as a 'family emergency', but Nick and Marta just aren't convinced. They think it's much more likely to have something to do with Smoke, the local troublemaker - whose run-ins with Mrs Starch are infamous - and decide to do some investigating of their own.
If you're already a fan of Carl Hiassen's patented brand of Florida set light weight crime fiction Nature Girl will statisfy if not overwhelm you. If you're new to the author's work then this a reasonable place to start, even if he has written better books (his last, Skinny Dip for example). On the offchance that you've tried his work before and not found it to your taste then firstly, why are you reading this review and secondly, walk away because I doubt there's anything here that will change your opinion.
Hoot, Carl Hiaasen's debut novel for younger readers is a very special treat indeed. The writing is exceptionally good, and the characters extremely quirky and well realised. It's incredibly readable despite a story premise that is not sparklingly original. But no matter, there's an engaging "feel-good" vibe running through the whole book.
