This is my first Hiaasen novel and came at a time when I
needed something to read while I rested quietly. This admirably filled the
bill. If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing read then this author will be the
perfect fit.
Set in the Florida Keys, a reality television
personality from a show called Bayou
Brethren (think Duck Dynasty here) makes an ass of himself at a personal
appearance and disappears. The reason is because his minder failed to show up.
His minder/agent has been kidnapped in a case of
mistaken identity during a bump and run which is a famous Florida method of
robbery. The bumper is a wily redhead named Merry Mansfield who figures in all
the action. She is one of the great
sassy characters in books. I thoroughly enjoyed her because she is a take
charge woman.
Andrew Yancy is an ex-policeman, sometime private eye
and current Health Inspector who becomes wrapped up in the case. Sometimes it
is by accident and sometimes it is by design. Andrew is one of those smart
aleck guys who populate detective fiction.
What follows is adventure and comedy throughout the
Florida Keys with a minor detour in Cuba. There are Mafioso, a lawyer who is
representing class action applicants in a Viagra/deodorant lawsuit and a
missing engagement ring.
I also have to admit, even though I know this is
fiction, it made me nervous about eating in the Florida Keys and apparently
there are some scary giant rats down there too.
In these turbulent days we are in, we need a distraction
and this book (and by extension others by this author) are a great distraction.
Sometimes you just need to run away in a book. So why not the end of the
southeastern United States?
No comments:
Post a Comment