Skin Tight

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: George Wilson

Length: 14 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

This novel by Carl Hiaasen, author of Tourist Season and Native Tongue, begins as most thrillers do, with a killing. But this is no everyday, hum-drum, garden variety killing. Our hero, Nick Stranahan, a 42-year-old private investigator who has killed five men and been married five times, skewers his attacker's aorta with the razor-sharp bill of a stuffed marlin, setting off a roller coaster ride of events that will drop-kick Stranahan into the deep slime of Miami's prosperous plastic surgery industry.

As with Hiaasen's other books, Skin Tight is one long, extended farce, a comic take on everything from TV tabloid hosts to ambulance chasers, chronicling modern America's ever-growing penchant for tastelessness, self-absorption, and high sleaze.

You will find yourself laughing in spite of yourself at wildly improbable characters like Chemo, a 7-foot monster with a face like a bowl of breakfast cereal; Heather Chappell, who wants to completely renovate her Barbi-doll body; and Reynaldo Flemm, the host of prime time's In Your Face, who stages mock attacks to his person in order to increase the Nielsen ratings.

©1989 Carl Hiaasen (P)1993 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Hiaasen's latest thriller is his funniest and sharpest novel to date....This wickedly amusing story is the work of a keen satirist who off-handedly exposes the moral rot at every level of society." (Publishers Weekly)

Nah

Maybe it's this book, maybe the narrator, but I've always enjoyed reading Hiassen's books. Listening was just not fun. I'd have to try another of his books by a different narrator to know for sure. I'll get back to you on this pressing matter. Meanwhile, go listen to something I liked.

Entertaining but too much sexual content for me

Typical older Hiasson storyline. Entertaining, casual listen. He probably overused the sex angle/relationship/promiscuity theme which to me is a bit cheesy and reflects lack of talent. I like his newer stuff a bit better except for the overuse of environmental rants on the development of south florida. Where would all the old people go to avoid shoveling snow? Cuba?

Miami at its best

I love Hiaasen's books both adult and young adult. They are fun, outrageous and very, very clever. His characters are one of a kind - just enough reality about them that they could be real.....well, maybe not Chemo.

Not Carl's Best

James Bond goes rogue in Florida. With a sense of humor. Some clever one-liners, easy on the mind and energy. Soft light listen....but not the best of Hiaasen.. I do like his style for escape and won't give up ... He's just fun, and in this world you need that.

Where the heck have I been??

Any additional comments?

I have just recently discovered this writer - WHAT??!!! Where have I been?! I'm loving his books, his somewhat . . . hmmm . .maybe . . dark humor at times. LOVE IT!!! Some of these books are from back in the 80's, some in this century and I am loving them all! Most of my credits have gone to this author recently - it's like a Hiaasen marathon for me!! I know there are people out there that will not or do not get this type of humor - but his humor is right up my alley!! I love the characters, some very strange characters, some endearing, but they are all great!! I cannot believe Quentin Tarantino or Amazon has not grabbed these and made movies and/or series!!! Even the retro ones would make great series. If you can make a great series out of Bosch - think what you could do with Hiaasen's work!!!
They keep me entertained and grinning (often laughing out loud) while I drive!!!! Thank you Hiaasen!!!

Super entertaining

This is a great listen. Carl Hiaasen’s quirky & twisted sense of justice is hilarious. The man should write crime sitcoms for TV!

another great one!

the story and the narrator are exquisite! working my through the series. looking forward to the next one.

Classic Hiaasen

I love Carl Hiaasen. His stories are fun, creative, and don't go so far that they creep me out. I love how he ends chapters and thoughts.

I also really liked George Wilson as narrator. He has a great voice, and did a wonderful job of painting the story's picture for me. He pacing was not rushed and there were pauses between thoughts and changes in scene. Very well done.

Throughly enjoyed this

Another great story by Mr Hiassen I really enjoyed this one it was a nice and long audiobook as well

Humorous and colorful

Author has a great imagination. While crude, is funny as Hell. Am going through all his books now.