Rating: 
Summary: Not up to usual standards!
Review: I've always liked the crazy, mixed-up, slightly bent characters in Hiaasen's books, but this one left me wanting. In this book, however, there wasn't enough insight into any of the characters (save the lobbyist's wife) to make me care what happened to them or to understand why they did what they did. Hiaasen has a good handle on the corrupt nature of politics...I just think he missed the boat a bit with this effort. I'll still read his books.
Rating: 
Summary: Too short
Review: With most books, I can't wait to see how they end. With Hiaasen's books, I just want them to keep on going. I laughed at the disclaimer in the beginning of the book, and didn't stop til the last page. Skink, Captain, governor, Clinton Tyree, whatever his name, is a great character and I was glad he and Jim Tile were back. Three cheers for the main human and canine characters, and I was certainly rooting for the Rhino. My main objection is the ending. I thought it was too abrupt, almost as if Hiaasen gave up. Otherwise, it was a 5 star effort. I hope Hiaasen does not give up on his green, "hug a tree" rantings. He believes in something, can make a difference, and can entertain! And I guess make a living. Not Bad!
Rating: 
Summary: Thank you for the laughs
Review: Dear Carl(I hope you read this), A sincere thanks for your books. There is no way I could ever hope to review them. No one writes a book that I consider more enjoyable. And I am terribly in love with Skink. So far, you have written about everything that could be corrected in Florida, and also about long time residents who secretly would like to do more of the things Skink does. Thank you for writing books that tickle my my mind and warm my heart.
Rating: 
Summary: A Sick Puppy Indeed!
Review: Once upon a time--about the time of "Skin Tight"-- Carl Hiaasen seemed like a very clever fellow. He's been going downhill ever since. "Sick Puppy" is, indeed, a sick puppy and it's rather sad that Hiaasen is the heir apparent to the Florida noir school so brilliantly invented by John D. McDonald. "Sick Puppy" isn't funny. It's not clever. And it's not even an apt indictment of South Florida as Hiaasen's earlier books were. If you want to read this genre in a serious vein, go to McDonald. If you want it with a few laughs, read Dave Barry. Don't read "Sick Puppy".
Rating:
Summary: Carl has a decent book with this one
Review: Carl Hiaasen's books always have an underlying, bleeding-heart liberal aspect about them. Even so, I love the way he writes. Carl has a gift for character development that's just off-the-mark enough to be recognizable and entertaining. A few of us wish we could get away with the actions detailed in the book, which is part of what makes reading "Sick Puppy" fun. Imagine seeing someone on the road throwing their trash out the window. What about that pompous fool in the restaurant blowing smoke from his over-priced cigar? Wouldn't you just like to give them a message? Now imagine you're a millionaire with nothing else to do. I guess that's how Carl came up with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Riotous!
Review: Picture this cast of characters: Twilly Spree, a young millionaire who goes ballistic over litterbugs and eco-terrorists. Palmer Stoat, a ruthless lobbyist whose favorite past-time is "canned hunts" -- 'til the day he tries to blast an elderly, senile rhinoceros. Clinton "Skink" Tyree, former governor of Florida who's now a swamp-dwelling loner, whose culinary juices are stirred by roadkill, and whose wardrobe consists of a racing-flag kilt and a shower cap. Mix in beautiful Desie Stoat, Governor Dick Artemous, developer Bob Clapley and his Barbie-doll fetish, hit man Gash, and Boodle/McGuinn, the adorable young black Lab who must be considered the main and title character, and you are well on your way to a rousing frolic of a read. Young Spree has gone ballistic over Palmer Stoat's littering, while Stoat is lobbying for a bridge which will allow the development of a lovely little barrier island into a golfer's paradise and, of course, destroy it at the same time. When Spree learns that the litterbug he's been tailing is also deeply involved in the destruction of ecosystems, to say nothing of a "great white hunter" in so-called private wildlife preserves, he kidnaps Stoat's wife, Desie, and his black Lab, Boodle. Desie is soon released, only to go back and freely spend time with the desperado and the dog, whom Spree has re-named McGuinn. While on the run from Stoat and the hit man and various other miscreants looking for them, Spree and Desie fall in what is close enough to love. The novel, as it unfolds toward its hysterical conclusion, is one hilarious mishap after another, packed full of riotous scenes guaranteed to produce belly-laughs. You will shriek with glee at The Barbies and their quest for "rhino dust", laugh 'til you cry at the hit man's 911 call, and fall hopelessly in love with the dog. If you're looking for an evening's feel-good entertainment, get this book. It's a novel of sophisticated, high spirited humor where everyone gets their just deserts, and you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Hiaasen's best
Review: Unlike his earlier (and better) works, political commentary dominates "Sick Puppy." If you are a member of the Green Party, you might enjoy it more, but for everyone else, it is a bit too much.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best, but plenty good enough
Review: As others here have written, all of Carl Hiaasen's books have certain similarities. To some this is formulaic; to others, he is continuing to give his faithful readers what they expect when they buy his books. Anyone who has read more than one CH book will know what I mean. Unfortunately, this book will not be read by those who OUGHT to be reading it: litterbugs, real estate developers, big game hunters, cigar smokers, members of the NRA - everyone whom CH, and his characters, want to teach a lesson. Those who are his fans, however, will not be disappointed. While this book is not quite up to the level of Double Whammy, it is true to the CH tradition, which puts it in my highest category - worth pre-ordering in hardcover. Which is what I will do with his next release. I only wish I could meet Skink in real life; we could use him up here in New York.
Rating:
Summary: Sick Puppy
Review: Carl Hiaasen remains one of my favorite authors, but Sick Puppy was not as strong a performance as Lucky. The story line while up to Hiassen standards for content lacked the bizarre twists and turns that I believe set him apart. The reacquantance with the former governor was a nice touch, but our new hero was a too much like the former governor to meet the standards set in prior books for new characters. Finally, the bad guys needed a special touch to make them memoriable although the death scene with its grand composite of events was almost as good as the ending of Lucky. My strongest feeling was that I expected too much from this book and as a result have a slight sense of let down, however it was an enjoyable read and I have passed in on to other fans in my neighborhood.
Rating:
Summary: Sick Puppy Indeed
Review: Ah, the joy of a new Hiaasen! Very few authors can make me laugh out loud while reading, but he can. This adventure into the absurd takes us into the world of lobbiests, illegal hunting, illegal construction practices, and of course, eco-terrorism.As unscrupulous politicians try to take a beautiful key and turn it into high dollar homes it is up to Twilly and Skink to prevent the dastardly deed from happening.One can only hope there will be further adventures of Skink and Twilly!
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