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jgraydee's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because people raved about Carl Hiaasen's characters.
He is a funny writer, and this mystery was okay, but this is a book I had to make myself keep reading. Hiaasen didn't create characters that I really cared about -- does he hook up with Emma or doesn't he? (Yawn...)
I would liken Hiassen's books to Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.
He is a funny writer, and this mystery was okay, but this is a book I had to make myself keep reading. Hiaasen didn't create characters that I really cared about -- does he hook up with Emma or doesn't he? (Yawn...)
I would liken Hiassen's books to Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
A well-written, funny, irreverant look at the life of a "journalist" who is stuck writing obituaries and his investigation into a former rock star's sudden death. Oddly satisfying ending. I'll read more of his work .
peter_gagne's review against another edition
3.0
My first Hiaasen book. I liked the tone and the writing. Looking forward to reading another by him.
lanceschaubert's review against another edition
4.0
A journalist under discipline for loudly calling out the owner of the newspaper at a shareholder's meeting finds himself writing beautiful, brilliant obits for years. Obsessing over death. And in writing one for a rockstar who has faded from glory, he discovers a murder.
First Hiaasen book for me: I'll he really has a knack for showing you how to both mock and love Florida Man, wherever Florida Man resides and whatever he does. Perhaps because the charming, but incredibly foolish, part of the American Dream consistently resides in Florida and his name is Carl Hiaasen. He makes court jesters of us all.
Another quick note: this book started out fine, then decent, and I really fell in love with it by the end. He really knows how to write a lovable jerk, sort of reminiscent of Fletch. In all the good ways.
Hiaasen also knows how to lambast those who killed the newspaper, the novel, basically anyone against the deep meaning of the printed word.
First Hiaasen book for me: I'll he really has a knack for showing you how to both mock and love Florida Man, wherever Florida Man resides and whatever he does. Perhaps because the charming, but incredibly foolish, part of the American Dream consistently resides in Florida and his name is Carl Hiaasen. He makes court jesters of us all.
Another quick note: this book started out fine, then decent, and I really fell in love with it by the end. He really knows how to write a lovable jerk, sort of reminiscent of Fletch. In all the good ways.
Hiaasen also knows how to lambast those who killed the newspaper, the novel, basically anyone against the deep meaning of the printed word.
greybeard49's review against another edition
4.0
Read on holiday over 2 days at pool. Great craic and the ideal thing to read in the sun. LOL many times over. Second book by Hiassen I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. Light but wonderful. Read this summer!
easyer's review against another edition
2.0
Still witty with some laugh out loud parts, but not my favorite Hiaasen novel.
kenziebecky's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
It’s a good “mystery” story but nothing really special and I felt like it went on and on for too long
theabee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death and Injury/Injury detail
hoserlauren's review against another edition
3.0
Jack Tagger is obsessed with death. As an obit writer at the local newspaper, he knows which celebrities have died at a certain age and wonders if he can outlive them. Jack didn't always work on obits. He was relegated to that desk when he told the new newspaper owners that they were killing the paper for profits.
Jack learns that the lead singer of a band he liked back in the day, the Slut Puppies, has passed away Jack sets out to write the obit. He contacts the widow and the sister and gets two completely different stories. Printing what he can for his deadline, Jack knows this isn't the end of his story. Something is off. Investigating further, he finds that the singer never had an autopsy. Was he murdered?
Jack is a pretty interesting character to be leading a mystery novel. He is self deprecating and pretty down to earth, which is the opposite of most cops that solve mysteries. It was a nice change of pace for a mystery. The romantic interest was a little awkward and off putting but other than that a pretty good novel.
Jack learns that the lead singer of a band he liked back in the day, the Slut Puppies, has passed away Jack sets out to write the obit. He contacts the widow and the sister and gets two completely different stories. Printing what he can for his deadline, Jack knows this isn't the end of his story. Something is off. Investigating further, he finds that the singer never had an autopsy. Was he murdered?
Jack is a pretty interesting character to be leading a mystery novel. He is self deprecating and pretty down to earth, which is the opposite of most cops that solve mysteries. It was a nice change of pace for a mystery. The romantic interest was a little awkward and off putting but other than that a pretty good novel.