Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 1/22/2024 + 1178 more book reviews

In STORMY WEATHER, Hiaasen satirizes what happens after a Florida hurricane. The story focuses on the shoddy construction that occurred before the storm, the payoffs that resulted in the poor construction, greedy would-be construction workers and roofers trying to take advantage of the devastation, and schemes to defraud the insurance companies after the storm. The story, as usual, includes some very demented characters who try to make a killing on the destruction caused by the storm. This includes a beautiful young woman who was in Florida to try to seduce one of the Kennedys and winds up partnering with an ex-con named Snapper to try and fleece a homeowner hit by the hurricane. Snapper is called that because of his shocking appearance including a dislocated jaw. Other characters include Avila, a building inspector who didn't really inspect the houses and trailers that were destroyed during the storm and who performs blood sacrifices to help his cause; a young newlywed couple who were honeymooning at Disneyworld but after the storm the husband decides to rush south to capture the devastation on video; a man who owns a wild animal preserve that also has a collection of skulls that he likes to juggle; and of course Skink, the ex-governor of Florida who lives in the wilderness and was hoping the hurricane would be more devastating and was not thrilled with the young husband taking video of its aftermath. Skink is a recurring character in several of Hiaasen's works and is one of my favorites.

Carl Hiaasen has been one of my favorite authors for the past couple of decades. I always enjoy his humorous romps through South Florida and his cast of the wacky denizens living there. STORMY WEATHER was another enjoyable romp but unfortunately, after reading this one I only have a couple of his adult novels left to read. Maybe I'll put them off for a while to have something to look forward to.

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