Summary

Bad Monkey is a 2013 work of crime fiction that showcases Carl Hiaasen's trademark blend of satire and environmental commentary. The story follows Andrew Yancy, a former detective turned health inspector, as he investigates a mysterious severed arm found off the Florida Keys. Featuring a colorful cast of characters, including a kinky coroner, a voodoo witch, and the titular bad monkey—a capuchin named Driggs who reportedly worked on the Pirates of the Caribbean films—the novel offers biting commentary on greedy developers, corrupt officials, and the degradation of pristine landscapes.

In 2024, Bad Monkey was adapted into a limited series for Apple TV+, starring Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy. 

Plot

Andrew Yancy, a former Miami police detective now working as a health inspector in the Florida Keys, finds himself in possession of a severed human arm. The official explanation— it belongs to Nicholas Stripling, who supposedly died in a boating accident—strikes Yancy as suspicious, so he decides to investigate. His inquiries lead him to question Stripling's widow, Eve, whose lack of grief raises red flags.

As Yancy digs deeper, he uncovers a complex web of Medicare fraud and deception. He comes to believe that Nicholas Stripling may have faked his own death—with Eve’s help—to escape prosecution. The investigation takes a dangerous turn when Yancy is attacked by a mysterious assailant wearing an expensive watch—a detail that connects to the severed arm.

Yancy's pursuit of the truth takes him to the Bahamas, where he believes Eve and her new companion are developing a resort. On the island of Andros, he forms an alliance with Neville Stafford, a local fisherman whose property was sold to the developers against his will. With the help of Neville and Dr. Rosa Campesino, a Miami coroner, Yancy closes in on the truth about Stripling's disappearance. The investigation culminates in a confrontation with Nicholas Stripling, who is very much alive but missing his left arm. 

A series of dramatic events and more deaths follow. Ultimately, Yancy returns to Florida, having solved the case but still stuck in his job as a health inspector. The novel concludes with Yancy settling into a romantic relationship with Rosa, while dealing with the unexpected return of his ex-girlfriend, Bonnie, who has her own legal troubles.

Themes

• Corruption and greed in Florida and the Bahamas

• Environmental exploitation and preservation

• Justice and vigilantism

• Absurdity of human nature

• Resilience in the face of adversity

• Contrast between appearance and reality

• Power of determination and persistence

Setting

Set in the present day, Bad Monkey unfolds primarily in the sun-soaked landscape of the Florida Keys. The story's main character, Andrew Yancy, navigates the quirky and often corrupt world of Monroe County, where tourism reigns supreme and local officials will go to great lengths to maintain the area's idyllic facade.

The action extends beyond the Keys to encompass the broader South Florida region, including Miami-Dade County. Here, Yancy's investigation leads him to interact with various colorful characters, from corrupt medical professionals to kinky coroners. The author's intimate knowledge of Florida's unique ecology and culture shines through in his vivid descriptions of the region's natural beauty and human foibles.

The narrative also ventures into international waters, taking readers to the Bahamian island of Andros. This tropical paradise serves as a stark contrast to the Florida setting, introducing elements of Caribbean culture and voodoo mysticism. The island becomes a crucial backdrop for the story's climax, highlighting the interconnectedness of the Caribbean

Characters

• Andrew Yancy: The protagonist, a former Miami police detective now working as a health inspector in the Florida Keys. Yancy is known for his sharp wit and determination to solve crimes, despite being demoted. 

• Dr. Rosa Campesino: The Assistant Miami-Dade County coroner who becomes Yancy's love interest. 

• Eve Stripling: The wife of Nicholas Stripling, who reports her husband missing. 

• Nicholas Stripling/Christopher Grunion: A Medicare fraudster who fakes his own death to escape prosecution. 

• Neville Stafford: A Bahamian fisherman whose property was sold against his will for the resort development. Neville becomes an unexpected ally to Yancy in his investigation on Andros Island.

• Plover Chase/Bonnie Witt: Yancy's ex-girlfriend, a former Oklahoma teacher who fled to Florida after being indicted for having an affair with an underage student. 

• Sonny Summers: The Monroe County Sheriff who is more concerned with maintaining tourism than solving crimes. 

• Driggs: A capuchin monkey owned by Neville Stafford. 

Quick facts

• Bad Monkey is set in both Florida and the Bahamas. 

• The book's plot involves a severed human arm found by a fisherman.

• The titular “bad monkey” is a capuchin monkey named Driggs, owned by a Bahamian fisherman.

• The main character, Andrew Yancy, is a former detective demoted to health inspector.

• Carl Hiaasen based some elements of the Medicare fraud plot on real cases in Florida.

• Bad Monkey received positive reviews for its satirical portrayal of Florida.

• The novel’s success inspired a sequel titled Razor Girl, published in 2016.

• In 2024, Bad Monkey was adapted into a limited 10-part series for Apple TV+, starring Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy.

About the Author

Carl Hiaasen (1953-) is an American author known for his humorous crime thrillers set in Florida. Along with featuring eccentric characters and satirizing American popular culture, his novels frequently address themes of environmentalism and political corruption. Hiassen’s literary career took off in 1986 with his first solo novel, Tourist Season, followed a year later by Double Whammy, the debut of his Skink series. His books have been translated into 34 languages, with 21 of his works appearing on The New York Times bestseller list. In 1996, his novel Strip Tease (1993) was adapted into a feature film starring Demi Moore, and in 2024, his thriller Bad Monkey (2013) inspired a limited series for Apple TV+, with Vince Vaughn in the lead role. 

Aside from his talent for fiction, Hiassen is recognized for his work as a journalist. He joined the Miami Herald in 1976, shortly after graduating from the University of Florida, and remained with the newspaper until his retirement in 2021. His contributions as a reporter and columnist won him honors including the Heywood Broun Award, the Damon Runyon Award, and the Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award.

Beyond his adult fiction, Hiaasen has made a name for himself in children’s literature. His first young readers' novel, Hoot (2002), received a Newbery Honor, leading to other popular children's books, including Flush (2005), Scat (2009), and Chomp (2012). He has also written several works of nonfiction and co-written songs, collaborating with musicians such as Warren Zevon and Jimmy Buffett. A lifelong Floridian, Hiaasen maintains a commitment to protecting the Florida Everglades and is a recipient of the Marjorie Harris Carr Award for Environmental Advocacy.