Thursday, 12 February 2009
Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen
Book Title: Tourist Season
Author Name: Carl Hiaasen
Why I decided to read this book: I used to really like reading Carl Hiaasen's special brand of funny and murderous, quite some years back now. I was looking for something to read while off work because of snow, and this title caught my eye. I thought I'd see if he's still as good as I thought he was when I first read this book.
Summary: Theodore Bellamy, a hungover shriner, goes missing on Miami Beach, but the cops aren't interested in him. They are, however, intrigued by the murder of Sparky Harper, president of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, whose body is found stuffed in a suitcase floating in Pines Canal. As tourists go missing, bombs start exploding, and a seventeen foot North American crocodile goes on the prowl, can private eye Brian Keyes work out how these two cases are connected, who are Las Noches de Diciembre, and just how is he going to put a stop to all this madness?
Strengths: Hiaasen really can weave the bizarre into a thrilling crime story and make it both humorous and edgy. The plot is incredibly well thought-out and gripping from beginning to end. The ending in particular is done beautifully and leaves a lasting image in the reader's mind as they close the book that brings the message of the book home. The characters are brought vividly to life and, somewhat unnervingly, are realistic - you know people like this, which makes you wonder just what your acquaintances could be capable of.
Weaknesses: There were moments when it was a little too bizarre, a little too silly, when I felt it was all about getting a certain reaction; there were unrealistic moments that were more for the sake of the ludicrous than anything else. But these were few and far between, and for the most part the story succeeded in getting the right mix of humour and suspense. The romantic element could have done with a bit more work: I really didn't feel enough chemistry between the protagonist and his love interest and certain scenes felt laboured as a result. I got the impression this was not a particularly important part of the writing for Hiaasen, yet since the plot called for it, I felt he ought to have made it more believable.
Overall Opinion: I enjoyed re-reading this book, Hiaasen's special brand of surreal crime fiction was a fun distraction from the cold once all the snow had turned to slush outside.
Rating out of Five: 
