Trap Line

By: Carl Hiaasen, Bill Montalbano

Narrated by: George K. Wilson

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Key West is a smuggler's paradise. All that's needed are the captains to run the contraband, and Breeze Albury is one of the best fishing captains on the Rock. He's in no mood to become the Machine's delivery boy, however. So the Machine sets out to persuade him. It starts by taking away Albury's livelihood and his freedom. But when the Machine threatens Albury's son, the washed-out wharf rat turns into a raging, sea-going vigilante.

©1982 Carl Hiaasen and Bill Montalbano (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

You need to make assumptions here

There are some outlandish things in this book that you have to wrap your head around to follow the story. It doesn't have the humor that most of Carl Hiassen usually has but it is an older book. With humor in the book, you can really give and take a little bit of following a storyline. When the book is more serious, it's a little hard to swallow some of the outlandish storyline.

Those Floridians are Bananas!

I love everything Hiaasen writes or co-writes. Trap Line is another hit. Crazy, colorful characters, an intricate plot and loads of humor. What isn't to like? I particularly liked the open ended close. Will we hear more from Breeze?

A fun romp Hiaasen style.

I have been struggling to find great listening experiences, especially since I tend to listen to so many books. So I looked up books read by George Wilson and discovered a few books by Hiaasen I havent tried. Wilson is a master at delivering the humor and irony Hiassen is famous for.

Trap Line is set in the Florida Keys of the early 1980s. Its a clever, romantic, funny expose' of the travesty of the ecosystem devestated by private and government greed and mishandling.

Try this if you need a good laugh, despite the fact your world may be spinning out of control.

Struggled to finish. It had some Haiison moments,

Most of the characters were funny in true Haiison style. The narrator was great with his inflection, but could have used a female voice for the women. The story line was tired and lacked believability. The money floating in the water with people scrambling after it was LOL funny. it seemed to drag, adter that. I was a struggle to finish it.

not your typical Hiassen book, but worth it

What did you like best about this story?

I always love Hiassen charactors.

Any additional comments?

I was expecting more twisted, dark humor which is Hiassen's trademark. This book was well crafted, well read, and a good story, but nothing unexpected, really, and nothing like the usual twisted free for all that he can create.

Not one of Hiaasen's best

I've been a Hiaasen fan for many years, and have read some of his books several times -- Lucky You is one of my favorites. I hadn't read this one, so I spent a credit on it. It's really disappointing. The reader is ok, though his Spanish accent is cringeworthy in places, and his female voices are poor. The main problem is the lack of humor. I am nearly at the end, and have not found even one funny moment. People are killed, a child is tortured, a cop watches a vicious mugging of a gay man and does nothing -- and much more. There are quirky characters, and the portrayal of the setting (Key West) is compelling. The plot is ok. Usually, with Hiaasen, you get all this along with biting satire and witty dialogue, but without that, the book just depressed me. Am I still a fan? Yes. But I don't recommend this particular book. Try "Lucky You" instead.

OK time killer if you have nothing better to do

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

All the plot points you expect in a Hiaasen effort were present however it just didn't come together as seemlessly as many of his books. It seemed to be missing that edge of humor that Hiaasen injects into his novels. I kept expecting the Captain to jump out of a mangrove swamp at any time but was disappointed.

What does George K. Wilson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Yes, Wilson's read was good for me. He picked up the personalities of the characters. Other reviewers have mentioned his poor accent for his hispanic characters but I did not find that as annoying as others have.

Could not stop listening!

I must confess; I have been hooked Carl Haison's books from the first one. Thanks.

Entertaining mystery

Kept me interested from start to finish. Strong main character. Lots of action. Good read.

Key West is great

An excellent story with a deep knowledge of the Keys
but PLEASE get reader who can speak Spanish