
Member Reviews

This book was funny and quirky. It makes fun of so many stereotypes. It has racism and sexual references that could be offensive to some readers. Overall, this was a 3 star for me. There were times that it was confusing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Carl Hiaasen, and Knopf for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have not read a Carl Hiaasen novel in many years. It was funny and well written. It fits the narrative that’s been going on in the country in the last few years. The slapstick craziness that goes on throughout the book will keep you entertained. It’s not for everyone but I enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

Part of me thinks I've outgrown Carl Hiaasen. And part of me has. I don't care for the way he writes women (even though Viva and Galaxy both go on to pursue their dreams, which feels like growth on his part, too). And satire has gotten harder too, as many scandals ripped from the headlines and extremist groups become more ridiculous with the lines between reality and parody becoming razor thin.
But damn it if it isn't fun to see trustfund monkey wrencher Twilly Spree back in action against a crooked development project, taking on the racist John Bircher backers, the kinky and hypocritical politicians, and the low-rent, malapropist Proud Boys knockoffs.
The saddest and most unbelievable part of this satire, however, is that the bad guys taking bribes and spouting garbage about fake news and the "great repavement theory" actually face consequences. It's great to retreat into fantasy, but maybe, just maybe be should all be a teeeeeeny bit more like Twilly.
Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for a review.

Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read an ARC of this book but what in the world did I just read?? I don’t think I was the audience for this book. At times I did find it funny but this was so out there. I am glad everyone in this book got what they deserved. Definitely not saying this was bad, this just was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for giving me the opportunity to read Carl Hiaasen’s Fever Beach in exchange for my honest review.
Fever Beach is a wild, satirical romp through the most absurd corners of Florida. It is packed with offbeat characters and politically charged humor.
While biting humor and zany storytelling are in full force, Fever Beach sometimes feels more exhausting than entertaining. The political satire, though sharp, can be a tough sell for readers looking to escape into fictional worlds. The book is undeniably fast-paced and filled with laugh-out-loud moments, but it lacks the substance or emotional depth that could have made it more compelling.
Ultimately, Fever Beach is a quick, amusing read best suited for Hiaasen fans who enjoy his brand of Florida-fueled madness. If you’re in the mood for outrageous characters and relentless pop references, you’ll likely get a kick out of it.
Final Verdict: Fun, fast, and absurd—but not for everyone.

Another enjoyable read from one of my favorite authors. I only wish people similar to his characters received similar consequences.

Carl Hiassen never disappoints and I have read most of his books. Another fast paced page turner that will certainly be on the beach reads of the summer

This is a typical Hiassan novel where violence, sex,politics & laughter intertwine. The main character's are Dale Figgo & Jonus Onus, two wannabe proud boys who run their own white supremecy group, Strokers for Liberty. They are supported by a corrupt politician, Clure Boyette. He is supported by an elderly & equally corrupt right wing couple, the Minks. They are opposed by Dwight Twilley, a man with great anger & a strong sense of righteousness & his girlfriend Viva. Much hilarity ensues & the bad guys definitely get their comeuppance. Fun read.

Another great book by this author. I love these books. I have officially read all of them to date. Will always be a fan

The best fun I’ve had in awhile, reading the novel Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen. Totally laugh out loud as always.. It was a great visit to Florida and meeting the crazy wacky group of misfits that make this tale well worth reading. I waited a long time for a new Hiaasen novel, and it was well worth the wait. This book will be high on my recommendation list for those who need a little Florida with a side of craziness. Don’t hesitate to pick up a copy.
Thank You NetGalley, The Author Carl Hiaasen And The Publisher Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage And Anchor for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest review.

This was my first read by Carl Hiaasen. I think he captured the fractured political environment in America quite well. My only issue with this book was that I felt like the political angle was overdone. I found myself tiring of this being inserted into every page and I often found myself skimming over those words and looking for the story of Viva and Twilly and Figgo. I have ordered another book by this author that doesn’t have quite as much political bend, so I hope to like this book more. Thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC.

Well, here's another wild, highly entertaining novel by Carl Hiaasen. Set in Florida like Bad Monkey it is full of craziness related to white power lunacy and all the things that go with it. The characters get the fate that they deserve. Thanks to @Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

WHAT A HOOT!!! No, not that Hoot, but this book was just what I needed during an emotionally painful week, full of bad news. It’s as good as Carl Hiaasen gets, with whacky characters and spot-on descriptions of Florida. The right-wing extremism is there, yes, but so is the stupidity that goes with it. This is not the book for you if you’re in the mood for serious political commentary, which is why it was just right for me last week. And it has a happy ending. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review and thanks to Mr. Hiaasen for helping me to laugh when I felt like crying.

Wwildly entertaining, politically sharp, and laugh-out-loud funny ride through the chaotic lives of grifters, rebels, and everyday eccentrics in the sweltering, scandal-drenched Florida — where truth is stranger than fiction, and satire feels more like reality.

FEVER BEACH by Carl Hiaasen is a timely story about the political environment going on in America today with a focus on Florida. This humorous satire is filled with zany characters and cringy moments, yet had me laughing many times at the craziness of it all. The author captures each scene with his biting wit with a wild, fast-paced plot that kept me turning pages faster and faster until the very end.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Twilly Spree is a man with too much time and money on his hands and when he gets “triggered”, chaos follows. Viva Morales, is newly moved to Florida, working for the Mink Foundation, a philanthropical organization. When these two paths cross, hilarious adventures begin. Add in Viva’s landlord, Dale Figgo, a white power racist, who is as dumb as a rock, Congressman Clure Boyette who is equally as dumb but has a father with an agenda, it can only add to the fun in the dysfunctional sprees.
I adore the character of Twilly Spree, he reminds me of Bruce Willis in Die Hard, a tough guy, with a dry sense of humor, and just enough charm to make you want to say yes. The character is very sure of himself, knows how to tell someone you’re an idiot without saying the words and just makes me laugh. The characters in this book are outstanding, Claude and Electra Mink, billionaires who do good only to do more bad, Clure Boyette and his father Clay, Galaxy, a uber street smart escort, even the members of Figgo’s racist group are well written and enjoyable to read. I laughed at the antics, rolled my eyes at the idiocy, and rooted for the good guys. This is a fun ride of a book, don’t miss it!

Entertaining and spot on as usual, this is a fun read in Hiaasen’s unique style. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

As a longtime fan of Carl Hiaasen, I’ve devoured most of his novels—both for adults and young readers—and have always appreciated his sharp humor and signature themes of corrupt politicians, shady developers, and inept criminals. Fever Beach delivers on all fronts but occasionally veers into the downright outlandish. While Hiaasen’s books usually have a timeless quality, this one feels deeply rooted in the current political and economic climate.
The story dives into the inner workings of a hilariously inept white nationalist group, led by arguably the most clueless man in Florida. His constant mangling of the English language only adds to the absurdity, making for plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. As expected, the group's funding comes from corrupt politicians and wealthy donors who seem to have more money than common sense.
There’s no shortage of chaos and comedy here, though at times it teeters on the edge of “too much”—but then again, Hiaasen has never been one to pull punches.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy. Fever Beach hits shelves on May 15, 2025. #NetGalley #FeverBeach

I would recommend this book especially if you are Carl Hiaasen fan. This is a book that deals with the weird people who are in Florida with humor.. Fake charities,crooked politicians and militias all found in the book.

I received an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Carl Hiaasen is one of my favorite authors and his latest novel, Fever Beach, is full of outrageous characters, corruption, and unusual violence, similar to his previous novels, and well, similar to Florida, too, I suppose.
This story follows Twilly, a reluctant member of the 1% who takes green causes to an extreme and Viva, a recently divorced woman who relocated to Florida after her ex-husband left her broke. Viva's landlord, Dale, is a white supremacist, who was kicked out of the Proud Boys and has decided to start his own organization, Strokerz for Liberty. The Strokerz are funded by a corrupt politician, Clure Boyette. There are plenty of other Florida Man types (and women!), as well to round out the cast. Shenanigans, of course, ensue.
The book is fast paced and I hated the characters I was supposed to hate and like the ones I was supposed to root for. Bad guys only do good things when forced or paid, and the antagonists had no redeeming qualities. The protagonists also did terrible things, but it is written that their acts of violence for the greater good. There was one character, a hit man, who was a little more in the gray area and I won’t write any spoilers, but it was nice to have one character that was a little less predictable.
If you’ve read a lot of Carl Hiaasen books before, this is pretty similar and it ties in very closely to current events. If you haven’t read any Hiaasen, this isn’t the one to start with. Bad Monkey and Razor Girl felt less political, and Stormy Weather is probably my favorite.
All and all, it’s a fun, quick (fever) beach read. I marked it down to 4 stars because I think I’d rather read a funny book to escape the world of political corruption rather than one that banks on it.