Skinny Dip

We know 'who done it' from the start after the wife is thrown from the deck of a cruise ship. We could say, 'And this is where the fun begins,' but, truth is, in typical Hiaasen style we've had a great deal of fun already. From the opening paragraph to page 355 of 'Skinny Dip' laughter abounds. Someone has said 'Carl Hiaasen is so good he ought to be illegal.' Right on! The audible voice is impeccable that he even brings the female voices to life. This is a 'can't miss' book if there ever was one.And the audible effort is first-rate.

I listen to my audible books while I commute to work. This one I could not stop listening to. This is the first book I actually listend to out of the car. I just couldn't get enough. The characters were great and the story was most entertaining.

This is a typical Carl Hiaasen novel - off beat characters, vaguely amusing situations, Florida setting. What makes this one outstanding is the narration. Stephen Hoye does one of the best jobs ever narrating this novel, with excellent vocal characterizations which make the story. I'm not sure I would have liked this in printed form, but really enjoyed the audio version.

This was a funny, smart guilty pleasure that was just what I was looking for after finishing a heavier, more emotional book. I was looking for something light and amusing, a good way to pass some reading time. It took a little while to enjoy the reader - a little too loud and over the top initially. But either he settled down or I got used to the style. It was not long before I was happily going along for the ride. Chock full of entertaining characters. I really fell in love with Tool. So what if there was predictability and outrageous behavior. It was so well strung together and I couldn't wait for Chaz to get his come uppance - over and over again. One of the most fun reading experiences in a while. Well recommended.

Hoye has a very droll delivery style which meshes extremely well with Hiaason's "over the top" fictional style. It's a great combination. I loved it, my 13 year old daughter loved it (although I had to fast forward through some of the gamier sections) and my wife loved it. Many of Hiaason's characters are so off the wall that his books aren't realistic, but I don't think they're supposed to be. Reading his stuff is an entrance into another world, bizzare and very funny. I love his stuff, but I don't take it seriously.

I liked Hoye so much I tracked down a couple of his other books. He's that good.

This book is absolutely hilarious. I listened to it while I was at work and I laughed my butt off.

The narrator (Stephen Hoye) is great and does an amazing job with all the characters. Especially the moronic *ss-hole, slut-chasing Chaz and dope-headed turned soft-hearted "Tool" aka Earl.

This is the first time I ever read or listened to one of Hiassen's books before and I can't wait for another adult book. I highly recommened Skinny Dip.

If you want rolling on the floor laughter this is not a comedy in that sense. However a study in human foibles is amusing. As one person said, "You know who done it." in the first few pages the point is that you DON'T know the twisted web of deceit will unravel. It's a funny book with a good heart, I found all the good guys likable and all the scoundrels, buffoonish, wicked and worth laughing at. The narrator nailed all the voices. A great listen! (Last star not added because I'm getting more picky - and lest anyone get their hopes up TOO high - making whatever they hear unable to reach too lofty an expectation.)

I'm not going to say much about this book. It was my first Carl Hiassen book, and I'm glad to have found such a treasure! The writing is a mixture of Elmore Leonard and Kurt Vonnegut. There is a truth and accuracy to the dialog and characters, with a story that is biting, satirical, and an extremely insightful parody of Florida and the rest of this looney bin we call modern society. The audio presentation is superb. I laughed, I laughed, and I laughed some more. I have shared this program with two others, both of whom are as blown away as I am. I frankly do not understand how anyone could give this audiobook less than five stars. This is really great stuff - don't miss it!

I listened to this story on a cross-country drive across the US. It was so funny, I laughed out loud, and rarely do that. The wacky characters such as the loser husband who can't ever do anything right, the "murdered" wife, and the hairy bodyguard were priceless. But a special award goes to the narrator who did the best job with his characterizations I have heard on Audible to date. Well worth the download.

Hiassen's books are, in general, a totally fun read.Anyone who has a sense of humor and relishes in meeting new and certainly unusual (and often completely unethical) characters, will enjoy this booik. HIassen's 'good' characters are utterly lovable and his 'bad' characters make your skin crawl. This is easy listening at its best... I found myself eager to pick up where I had left off listening and enjoyed the narration very much. Not the kind of book that is going to change anyone's life, but certainly a fun 'summer beach read'.