Skin Tight

Dr. Rudy Graveline runs a prestigious Miami plastic surgery center while hiding a dangerous secret - he's an untrained fraud who maintains his reputation through manipulation and threats. When a botched procedure leads to dire consequences, he orchestrates a plot to silence those who might expose him. Former state investigator Mick Stranahan becomes entangled in Graveline's web of deception when he's targeted by hitmen. The plot intensifies as a sensationalist TV show begins investigating allegations against the surgeon, bringing multiple characters with competing motives into a deadly game of cat and mouse. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Miami's glittering social scene and the murky waters of Stiltsville, incorporating memorable characters like a disfigured hitman and a vengeful ex-wife. Bodies pile up as Stranahan must clear his name while avoiding becoming another victim. The novel serves as a satirical commentary on vanity, corruption in the medical industry, and the dark underbelly of Miami's beauty-obsessed culture. Through dark humor and escalating tension, it explores the lengths people will go to maintain appearances.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced crime comedy with outrageous characters and situations, particularly focused on Florida's plastic surgery industry. Many note it follows Hiaasen's signature style of environmentalist themes mixed with dark humor. Readers appreciate: - Quick pacing and easy readability - Memorable villains, especially Dr. Rudy Graveline - Commentary on medical malpractice and vanity - Florida setting details and local color Common criticisms: - Violence can be graphic for some readers - Plot feels scattered at times - Some character arcs remain unresolved - Humor occasionally crosses into slapstick Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.93/5 (17,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (850+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (2,900+ ratings) One reader noted: "Like a Carl Hiaasen greatest hits - corrupt doctors, investigative reporters, and Florida weirdness all rolled into one."

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen A former Miami police detective investigates Medicare fraud and murder in the Florida Keys while dealing with a mysterious frozen arm and a voodoo-practicing ex-girlfriend.

Strip Tease by Carl Hiaasen A single mother working as a stripper becomes entangled in blackmail and corruption involving a congressman, sugar industry lobbyists, and multiple murders.

Tourist Season by Tim Dorsey A serial killer targets Florida tourists while a newspaper reporter and a private investigator track the crimes through a maze of eccentric characters and Miami's underbelly.

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler A private detective uncovers layers of corruption, blackmail, and murder while investigating a wealthy family in Los Angeles.

Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen A private investigator infiltrates the professional bass fishing circuit to expose fraud, leading to a trail of murder and environmental crimes in Florida's lake country.

🔸 The book was published in 1989, during a period when Miami was experiencing a boom in both cosmetic surgery clinics and organized crime activity. 🔸 Before becoming a novelist, Carl Hiaasen worked as an investigative journalist at the Miami Herald, where he covered numerous cases of medical malpractice and fraud in Florida's healthcare system. 🔸 The stilt houses featured in the novel are real architectural landmarks in Biscayne Bay, known as Stiltsville, dating back to the 1930s and surviving multiple hurricanes. 🔸 Bal Harbour, a key setting in the novel, was one of the first planned communities in Florida after World War II and became synonymous with luxury shopping and high-end plastic surgery clinics. 🔸 The book's storyline was partially inspired by actual cases of unlicensed cosmetic surgeons operating in South Florida during the 1980s, some of whom caused serious injuries or deaths.