Skinny Dip- A review
January 13th, 2008 -- Posted in Books | 1 Comment »After reading this review by Sage I added Skinny Dip to my wish list. I was thrilled to find it under the tree Christmas morning. Carl Hiaasen is an absolute hoot to read. Definitely a writer I will add to my must read list.
We all know someone like Chaz Perrone. You know, the ultimate moron who thinks he’s all that and a bag of chips. Chaz has an ego to make up for any other deficiencies he may have. He conned his way through to a PhD and doesn’t have a bit of knowledge to show for it. In fact, it is his lack of knowledge that ultimately does him in. Thinking he has planned the perfect crime he books an anniversary cruise where he tosses his wife over the side of a ship. One, he forgot his wife was a champion swimmer. Two, his biology study and PhD prep didn’t sink in because he couldn’t recall which way the Gulf Stream runs. Big deal? Yes, if you hope it will carry your dead wifes body away. So proud of his successful murder he plays the grieving husband…or tries too. He’s too busy trying to satisfy his sexual urges.
Why did he throw his wife overboard? Chaz, being the paranoid egomaniac that he was, thought Joey had figured out he was doctoring water samples for his boss who was dumping toxic levels of farm waste into the Everglades. Joey survived the murder attempt by clinging to a bail of pot after exhausting herself from a treacherous dive and extensive swimming. Her rescuer was a retired cop and island dwelling loner. At first he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of not reporting the murder attempt, but the excitement of revenge soon grew on him. Together they managed to really play with Chaz’s paranoid emotions.
The paranoia getting to him Chaz runs to his boss for help and is assigned a body guard with his own set of problems. Tool, with a bullet up his butt, isn’t a guy you want to mess with. Tool manages his pain by stealing fentanyl patches from nursing home patients. The big oaf he was, he did have a soft side. He liked to collect roadside crosses. You know, the ones staked on the side of the road where accidents have occurred. *strange* Overtime, Chaz’s paranoia grows. He eventually tries to off his mistress and then his bodyguard. Fails.
Not to be too much of a spoiler, but Chaz sucks at the murder business and he’s an idiot.
Hiaasen tells a great story and I have no idea how Sage listened to this book on his iPod at the gym and didn’t embarrass himself. It was highly amusing all the way through. If you have an issue with language and sexual overtones this is probably not the book for you. Actually, it isn’t only the overtones…there are some rather overt parts as well. For a better review check out Sage or this guy.
My opinion?
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Relaxing to the sounds of: Earth, Wind & Fire - September
via FoxyTunes
