Skinny Dip

Skinny Dip is a Florida crime caper that follows Joey Perrone's quest for revenge after her husband attempts to murder her by throwing her overboard from a cruise ship. The plot unfolds against the backdrop of environmental crimes in the Everglades, where corrupt officials and wealthy landowners exploit the fragile ecosystem. The novel tracks multiple characters including Joey's husband Chaz Perrone, a fraudulent marine biologist, and Mick Stranahan, a former detective who becomes entangled in the revenge scheme. The story moves between Miami's urban landscape and the threatened wetlands of the Everglades, incorporating both personal vengeance and environmental corruption. Through its mix of crime narrative and environmental activism, Skinny Dip examines themes of justice - both personal and ecological. The novel continues Hiaasen's tradition of using dark humor and absurdist situations to highlight serious issues facing Florida's natural environment.

Readers consistently note the dark humor and environmental themes, with many highlighting the satisfying revenge plot. Multiple reviewers call it a "beach read with brains." Readers appreciate: - Fast-paced, entertaining storyline - Memorable, eccentric characters, especially Mick Stranahan - Sharp satire of Florida politics and environmental issues - Clever dialogue and witty observations - Balance of comedy and suspense Common criticisms: - Plot becomes predictable in later chapters - Some side characters feel underdeveloped - A few readers found the environmental message heavy-handed - Violence and adult themes put off some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (500+ ratings) "Perfect blend of humor and suspense" appears in multiple reviews. One frequent criticism notes that "the villain becomes cartoonish by the end." Several readers mention abandoning other Hiaasen books but finishing this one.

Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen A tale of murder investigation in Florida's competitive bass fishing scene combines environmental themes with dark humor and quirky criminals.

Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen Two lottery winners face off in a battle for the winning ticket while surrounded by scam artists and oddball characters in the Florida Keys.

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen A suspended Florida detective investigates a suspicious death involving Medicare fraud, real estate schemes, and a mysterious monkey from the Bahamas.

The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore A small coastal town faces chaos when a well-meaning angel's attempt to grant a Christmas miracle leads to zombies and mayhem.

Tourist Season by Tim Dorsey A newspaper columnist tracks a serial killer who targets tourists in Florida to protest overdevelopment and environmental destruction.

🌴 Carl Hiaasen worked as an investigative journalist for the Miami Herald for over 35 years, which heavily influenced his environmental thriller writing style. 🚢 The cruise ship murder attempt in the book was inspired by real cases of passengers going overboard in the Caribbean, including several suspicious incidents in the early 2000s. 🐊 The Everglades, where much of the book is set, loses about 2,300 acres of wetland yearly to urban development and agricultural expansion. 📚 "Skinny Dip" spent 8 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list and was nominated for the 2005 Dilys Award for mystery fiction. 🌿 The agricultural pollution featured in the novel mirrors real-world issues with phosphorus runoff from sugar cane farming, which continues to threaten the Everglades ecosystem today.