Rating: 
Summary: Fishing, Hiaasen Style!
Review: Making a novel about fishing entertaining is a mammoth task, but Hiaasen has achieved just that. Double Whammy doesn't start off as fast a pace as his other novels but once ex governor now wilderness living hermit Skink comes on the scene the pace quickens and never drops off. Fans of this character from some of his later novels will learn how one of his most interesting facial features happened. I won't give away what that characteristic is for those who have not read those novels or are reading this as a stand alone but for those who have read newer adventures it is really interesting to know, and purchasing Double Whammy to read how it happened is worth the price alone.
Police officer Jim Tyle from most novels with skink is back in this one too as well as Officer Garcia from the novel Striptease. Queenie the world's biggest Bass, some dim-witted fishing tv show hosts with huge egos, a shonky on air priest/Floridian property developer and a low IQ'd hit man who forms a close relationship with a bulldog accompany private R.J. Decker in making this a memorable read.
Whilst Skink and other characters may have become more developed in later novels this is still a sensational read. Also check out Hiaasen's masterpieces Sick Puppy, Hoot, Skinny Dip, Striptease, Lucky You and others as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Such fun I actually wanted to read Striptease!
Review: Mr. Hiassen conjures up some of the most colorful characters this side of a Largemouth Bass tourney. When big fish and bigger money is on the line somebody could get killed. And the twists in this who-dun-it will keep the pages turning and a smile on your face. I can't wait to try the "secret" weapon next time I want that big lunker! And I also can't wait for the next installment from Carl Hiassen.
Rating:
Summary: Surreal Florida
Review: Once again, we have Mr Hiassen giving it large, with a further instalment to his Florida page turner. Great, utterly unbelievable plot, political machinations, medical shortcomings neurotic men and women, and above all dodgy politicians meddling with reclaimed land, tacky apartment blocks and the power of television. Believers please beware as you're in for a mighty surprise and an explanation of where your sunday collection monies really go at the end of the day.I have just discovered that Hiassen has released a new book. The meaning of life is found again. Keep the faith.
Rating:
Summary: What a blast!!
Review: Perhaps one of our best satire, mystery, thriller writers. This is the second of his books that I've read and I loved both. Can't wait to get into more of them. I'm wondering how often Skink appears in his other books. He was in "Stormy Weather" and "Double Whammy." Hope there's more of him out there!
Rating: 
Summary: Read other Hiaasen books instead
Review: Professional bass fishing is ripe for satire, and based on "Strip Tease", I thought Hiaasen would be just the man for the job. Instead, he's served up an undercooked stew filled with offhand references to gruesome death. By aiming at fanatical fishermen and sleazy TV evangelists, Hiaasen misses both. Reading this is like playing a game of "Marco Polo" in a very big pool: laughs are there, but just out of reach, and what sounds promising usually gets you a noseful of chlorinated water. If you like character more than caricature, skip this book
Rating:
Summary: Title says it all
Review: R.J. Decker is a down at the heel, Miami based private eye with anger management issues. When he is offered the unlikely assignment of exposing cheating on the pro bass fishing circuit he is justifiably dubious. But he can't afford to turn down the generous fee. That's how Double Whammy begins.
This is an extremely funny, way over the top dark comedy where the body count and the laughs quickly start piling up. But what is it that distinguishes this book from the many other Florida based comedic crime novels that have become so popular in recent years? Two things, the unrelenting humor and the off the wall characters.
Many books are episodically funny. And by that I mean there may be a funny situation every 40 or 50 pages. Double Whammy is genuinely funny all the way through. Everything that happens is outrageous and the outrageousness steadily increases as the story unfolds. Few would argue with the observation that Carl Hiaasen's writing displays a take no prisoners tone when it comes to satirizing life as lived in the Sunshine State.
There are more hilariously warped characters in this book than you can shake a fishing rod at. To mention just two of the more colorful ones: There's Skink, a roadkill eating recluse with the perfect white teeth of a TV news anchorman. And, my personal favorite, the Reverend Charles Weeb, a profane, sleazy, televangelist whose love of real estate far surpasses his love of any known diety.
Double Whammy is a withering satire that pulls no punches. Its nonstop humor is both biting and original. If you appreciate writing that isn't afraid to explore the less admirable aspects of what it means to be human, by all means, read this book. You will enjoy the experience.
Rating:
Summary: Uproariously funny.
Review: R.J. Decker is a down at the heel, Miami based private eye with anger management issues. When he is offered the unlikely assignment of exposing cheating on the pro bass fishing circuit he is justifiably dubious. But he can't afford to turn down the generous fee. That's how Double Whammy begins.
This is an extremely funny, way over the top dark comedy where the body count and the laughs quickly start piling up. But what is it that distinguishes this book from the many other Florida based comedic crime novels that have become so popular in recent years? Two things, the unrelenting humor and the off the wall characters.
Many books are episodically funny. And by that I mean there may be a funny situation every 40 or 50 pages. Double Whammy is genuinely funny all the way through. Everything that happens is outrageous and the outrageousness steadily increases as the story unfolds. Few would argue with the observation that Carl Hiaasen's writing displays a take no prisoners tone when it comes to satirizing life as lived in the Sunshine State.
There are more hilariously warped characters in this book than you can shake a fishing rod at. To mention just two of the more colorful ones: There's Skink, a roadkill eating recluse with the perfect white teeth of a TV news anchorman. And, my personal favorite, the Reverend Charles Weeb, a profane, sleazy, televangelist whose love of real estate far surpasses his love of any known diety.
Double Whammy is a withering satire that pulls no punches. Its nonstop humor is both biting and original. If you appreciate writing that isn't afraid to explore the less admirable aspects of what it means to be human, by all means, read this book. You will enjoy the experience.
Rating:
Summary: Hate fishing, loved book...
Review: Since childhood I have always hated fishing -- the most boring pastime imaginable, and if you succeed -- YUCCH! But this book I loved. Not many can pull off this kind of demented, passionate, hilarious thriller. From this book on, Hiaasen joins Westlake, Hoyt and Perry as a virtuoso of the comic thriller
Rating:
Summary: Capers, Characters, and a Plea for Florida -- Great Book!
Review: The plot doesn't thicken -- it flies and flicks and turns with amazing speed, peopled by recognizable characters you didn't like anyway, are caught like the reader, until Hiassen makes his point and the bad guys are hooked, line and sinker. Hiassen's barbed wit gentles only when dealing with descriptions of pre-development tracts of Florida, and the book has got nerve, adventure, mystery and humour, as well as something to say. Don't be put off because they made one of Hiassen's other good books (Striptease) into a really bad movie. This book is a must-read, and a read-again-some-evening book, as well as his others. Hiassen is probably going to get classed with John D. McDonald, but he's more than that -- read his books for a good story, and maybe some thoughts
Rating:
Summary: Carl Hiaasen is a national treasure.
Review: There is hope for mankind as long as Carl Hiaasen keeps us laughing. I somehow missed this one when it first came out and Hiaasen is as good nine years ago as he is today. Get hooked on Double Whammy, and you will stay hooked.
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