Strip Tease

Strip Tease is a crime novel set in South Florida, following Erin Grant - a stripper who works at the Eager Beaver club to earn money for a custody battle over her daughter. When a congressman becomes entangled with events at the club, her situation grows more complex. The story connects multiple threads: political corruption, custody laws, environmental issues, and the realities of working in Florida's adult entertainment industry. The narrative moves between strip clubs, government offices, and the Everglades as various characters' paths intersect. Through humor and satire, the novel exposes the connections between power, money, and exploitation in modern Florida. The plot incorporates elements of both crime thriller and social commentary while maintaining its dark comic tone. The book offers commentary on the nature of public morality versus private behavior, and questions who truly holds power in a system where everyone seems to be compromised in some way.

Readers describe Strip Tease as a dark comedy that blends crime, politics, and satire of South Florida culture. Many review it as fast-paced and funny, with memorable characters and absurd situations that feel believable despite their outrageousness. Readers liked: - Sharp dialogue and witty observations - Complex female protagonist Erin - Blend of humor with serious themes - Details about strip club operations - Florida political corruption storyline Common criticisms: - Too many subplot tangents - Some characters feel cartoonish - Violence can be jarring against comedic tone - Ending feels rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (560+ ratings) "The humor hits hard but never feels mean-spirited," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states: "Characters are over-the-top but that's part of the appeal." Several readers mention preferring the book to the movie adaptation.

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen A South Florida detective investigates a severed arm found by a tourist while dealing with corrupt real estate developers and a vengeful monkey.

Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen A private investigator uncovers murder and corruption in the professional bass fishing circuit of Florida.

Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen Two lottery winners clash over a winning ticket while navigating through a cast of criminals and schemers in the Florida Keys.

Big Trouble by Dave Barry A chain of events involving a hit man, a bomb, and incompetent criminals unfolds in Miami after a mysterious suitcase changes hands.

Florida Roadkill by Tim Dorsey A drug-addled Florida history buff and his companion pursue a briefcase of stolen money while leaving chaos in their wake.

🎭 The novel was adapted into a major motion picture in 1996, starring Demi Moore and Burt Reynolds, though author Carl Hiaasen was famously unhappy with the film adaptation. 🖋️ Like many of Hiaasen's works, Strip Tease combines crime fiction with satirical commentary on Florida politics, corruption, and environmental issues. 💃 Hiaasen researched the book by visiting numerous strip clubs in South Florida, interviewing dancers and club owners to ensure authentic details about the industry. 📚 The book won the Dilys Award in 1994, presented by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association for the mystery title their members most enjoyed selling. 🗞️ Before becoming a novelist, Hiaasen worked as an investigative journalist for the Miami Herald, where his experience with Florida politics and corruption heavily influenced the plot of Strip Tease.