Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for an early copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. This is the first book I have read by Carl Hiaasen and it will not be the last. I loved the characters and the storyline in this book. I felt the characters had great growth. I would definitely recommend this book.

DNF at 15%. Sounded good in theory, but in the end this one wasn't for me. Being this was my first experience with Carl Hiaasen's work I wasn't sure what I was going to be getting. I think many people will enjoy this one, but I wasn't one of them.

Hiaasen books are always fun, hilarious, satirical, and timely, and Fever Beach was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed this books, just as I have all his others. I laughed out loud in so many places. If you’re not a fan of politics in your books, this may not be for you. If you enjoy a satirical take on current events, this is your book!

Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen is a crazy and wild ride that just doesn’t slow down. The story is set in the author’s home state of Florida and involves a number of different characters. From right wing insurrectionists who have been inspired by the January 6th assault on the Capitol to crooked and despicable politicians. And you can’t overlook the philanthropists who are funding all of the shenanigans. Then there are a few who are trying to right the wrongs, while also trying to stop further bad behavior.

There’s a lot going on in this book. It moves along at a fast pace, with multiple plots and storylines. At times the humor and activities can be rather crude, as is the language. But, no doubt about it, it’s a colorful and sometimes laugh-out-loud read.

Fever Beach is entertaining and it’s a little like watching a train wreck. I couldn’t look away and I had to know how it would all end. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

Fun, Flawed, and Fuzzy: An Enjoyable but Uneven Hiaasen Outing, Faltering at the Finish Line

Carl Hiaasen's "Fever Beach" delivers a characteristically Floridian romp, populated by a host of unusual and often unsavory individuals. The narrative kicks off with a good dose of Hiaasen's signature dark humor and satirical wit*, quickly establishing itself as an "enjoy the ride" kind of story. For the most part, the journey is an entertaining one, filled with quirky scenarios and morally ambiguous players.

However, where the book loses its way is in its unfocused meandering and, most significantly, its conclusion. The ending feels disappointingly abrupt and tacked on, almost as if the author suddenly hit a deadline and resorted to a quick summary of character fates—reminiscent of those explanatory text cards at the end of some films. While a few of these resolutions were unexpected, the overall effect was jarring and detracted from the preceding narrative.

Despite the rogue's gallery of characters, some of whom are truly contemptible, the story held my interest. I found myself wishing for a deeper dive into the primary protagonists. One seems to be aimlessly navigating a morally gray existence, while the other comes across as genuinely decent, albeit a little ill-defined.

Ultimately, "Fever Beach" offers a mostly enjoyable, if somewhat chaotic, read. While I'd hoped for a more cohesive and satisfying resolution, I wasn't wholly disappointed by the wild ride Hiaasen provided.

* I very much enjoyed the character Viva

I’ve had a soft spot for Carl Hiaasen’s books ever since high school, partly because his sister-in-law was my 10th grade English teacher (all my love to you, Mrs. Hiaasen), but also because he’s just such a talented writer. His books are just so fun! As always, this is such a blast. You kind of have to go into it knowing that Carl Hiaasen has a very specific point of view. If you don’t already think somewhat politically like he does, you might not connect with every part of the story. But even if you're not totally aligned, the way he paints such a clear picture through his satire is hard to ignore but also really fun to laugh at (otherwise we'd cry). What really stood out to me was the humor. It was sharp and clever, and honestly, so refreshing. I found myself laughing out loud more than once, which I didn't expect going into something so rooted in current events. Hiaasen is just really good at what he does. He blends satire, suspense, and truth in a way that keeps you hooked. This one definitely makes you think, but also lets you laugh while you're at it.

Carl Hiaasen creates these kooky words where anything can happen, and they can definitely be silly (& there may be some fart jokes...), but I still enjoy them because there's an note of satire to everything that keeps me engaged. If you hate politics, you'll want to steer clear, but if you want to delve into a world of Proud Boy rejects & corrupt politicians, enjoy!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

wild, wacky, and well written. a rapid read once i got into it. 5 stars. tysm for the arc, would definitely recommend.

What a fun read! Carl Hiaasen has the perfect skill and wit to weave an intriguing tale.
I loved the writing, the humor, and most definitely these characters.
Another great read from a fabulous author.

Carl Hiaasen has built a career out of sharp, satirical novels set in his native Florida—books that blend tightly woven plots, eccentric characters, and a dry, biting wit. I hadn’t read one of his novels in several years, but when his publisher offered me a copy of his latest, Fever Beach, I jumped at the chance to dive back in. I’m glad I did.

Fever Beach begins with Dale Figgo, a man so astoundingly dim he was kicked out of the Proud Boys—not for his hate, but for his stupidity. During the January 6th insurrection, Figgo proudly smeared feces on what he believed was a statue of Ulysses S. Grant. In reality, it was Confederate General James Zachariah George. For the Proud Boys, this was a bridge too far. Not the act itself, of course—just the misdirected target.

Banished and undeterred, Figgo doubles down, founding his own fringe extremist group, the Strokers of Liberty. Yes, you read that right. A band of conspiracy-loving MAGA castoffs who are united by their far-right paranoia and, incredibly, a shared passion for masturbation. This is Carl Hiaasen at his most unhinged—and, somehow, his most on-point.

Enter Viva Morales, a broke, newly divorced woman desperate for housing, who ends up renting a room in Figgo’s crumbling apartment. She works for the Mink Foundation, a supposedly philanthropic organization led by grotesquely over-surgeried billionaires Claude and Eletra Mink, who, behind closed doors, are quietly bankrolling the far-right agenda. Viva eventually joins forces with Twilly Spree, a wealthy environmentalist with a volatile temper and a tendency to cause public scenes. Together, they're pulled into a tangle of dark money, political corruption, and motivations murkier than a Florida swamp.

Hiaasen presents a rogue’s gallery of misfits and monsters in a sprawling satire of political chaos, personal vice, and pure Floridian madness. Fever Beach delivers everything readers have come to expect from him: tangled plots, outrageous hijinks, environmental subtext, and a parade of morally suspect characters. But in our current post-truth era—shaped by the shadow of a Donald Trump presidency—Hiaasen’s political satire feels more pointed than ever. And he doesn't hold back. Fever Beach is a blistering commentary on disinformation, corruption, and the cult of personality, with Hiaasen’s trademark humor cutting through the absurdity like a machete in the mangroves.

Is it subtle? Not at all. But it’s wildly entertaining. Equal parts screwball crime caper and scathing political farce, Fever Beach reminded me why Hiaasen has remained a distinctive voice in American fiction for decades. This one’s political, folks, and it’s all the better for it. Buckle up. It’s a wild ride.

I was looking for a fun, easy read which I did not find in this book. The book was filled with too much political meandering, corruption and unlikable characters especially Dale Figgo whose coarse language and bigotry were over the top. Many of the characters were stereotypical right wing extremists who lied, cheated and propounded their beliefs in nearly every interaction.
I also thought there were too many subplots which had little bearing on the main plot.
I got through 49% of the book, and just had to close it. I was expecting something a little more fun rather than a satire on our politics today.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am writing my honest opinion of Fever Beach.

Fever Beach is not my first Carl Hiaasen novel. It’s a satirical commentary on current events and I found myself laughing out loud. Carl’s writing is twisted and when I read one of his books, I know I don’t have to take anything seriously, just be along for the ride.

My thanks go out to Netgalley and Knopf for the opportunity to read Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

Every day I read or watch the news and think, “This can’t possibly be real. It sounds like an Onion headline or Saturday Night Live skit,” and each and every day I am stunned to grapple with the reality that this is what we’ve become. A farce, a parody, a laughingstock.

If you have to turn this reality into fiction, who better to do it than the master of satire, Carl Hiaasen? And where better to set the novel than the ripe for the picking location that is Florida? Hiaasen has scraped the bottom of the MAGA barrel and, honestly, I don’t think he had to stretch the truth much.

The book opens with Dale Figgo, a dumber-than-a-rock bigot, driving around spewing anti-Semitic vitriol. He’s the titular head of the Strokerz for Liberty having been rejected by the Proud Boys. His sidekick, Jonas Onus, is equally dumb, but twice as big and even meaner. They are financed by a corrupt congressman whose sexual perversions are but the tip of his deviant behavior. He gets his money from the wealthy Minks family who buy favors as easily as the rest of us buy milk. MAGA stereotypes? Sure, but no worse than the ugliness currently prevalent in our country.

On the opposite side are Vera Morales, Figgo’s reluctant roommate and employee of the Minks duo, and her eco warrior anti-hero Twilly Spree who has an abundance of money, time, and anger. The interactions between characters are hilarious and farcical. I dare you not to laugh. If you have any sense of humor and are not a practicing cult member, you’ll laugh until tears roll down your face. And then you’ll realize how close this satirical folly is to reality and your tears will be rooted in sorrow.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Carl Hiaasen writes amazing books. Sometimes I think they are better suited to the screen than the page and I have enjoyed several, both onscreen and in book form. But when I read a book, I subconsciously cast actors for the characters and some of these defy casting. Dale Figgo is a case in point. How do you find an actor gifted enough to play a character this all-around unsympathetic and DUMB?

The book begins on a rainy afternoon when Dale Figgo picks up a hitchhiker and promises to drop him off at the interstate after he "runs an errand". That errand involves driving to a random neighborhood and tossing sand filled baggies containing grammatically incorrect misspelled hate messages to anyone in one of the groups Figgo currently hates. And there are a LOT of those groups. It also involves accidently knocking down one of the homeowners, when he attempts to throw the baggie back, and then leaving the scene of the accident. The hitchhiker gets to the interstate, as promised, and flees the state of Florida, vowing never to return, even under subpoena.

But there are other characters equally as bizarre, and they all seem to congregate around Figgo and some of his wilder schemes. There is a congressman who offers to raise money for Figgo's organization (Strokers(z) for Liberty) while keeping most of the money donated for himself. There is his sidekick, Jonas Onus, who is not only as dumb as Figgo, but bigger and meaner. And the fabulously wealthy Minks, who have their names on buildings all over the state, but are secretly involved in a lot of shady goings-on.

The better side is made up of Viva Morales, a newcomer to Florida who is just learning about this criminal underbelly, with some of her education coming from being the Executive Assistant for the Minks and witnessing some of their "philanthropy". And then there is Twilly Spree. He is somewhat of a question mark, but he DOES deeply despise anyone who litters and otherwise defaces the environment. And he is unbelievably wealthy. So much so that he doesn't even know the number.

So that's the lineup as the group all comes together in one big job - that of getting the more than shady congressman reelected.

Although it goes off in lots of directions, this was a fun read. I always enjoy one of Hiaasen's books.

I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This is my first time reading from this author, so I must admit that the cover made me believe I would be reading a different story. It was ok, but the racial content throughout the book was a bit cringy for me. I hated Figgo and Onus; their characters were not what I desired to read. It just got to the point that I was just ready for it to be over; it put me in the mind of the show "Bad Monkey," of which I am not a fan.

If I had the opportunity to read trigger warnings for this book beforehand, it would have greatly improved my tolerance of it.

Thank you, Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf, and Carl Hiaasen for the ARC of Fever Beach

This story was hilarious! It had me chuckling to myself and thoroughly entertained! It is written by the same guy who wrote Bad Monkey and turned into the Apple TV show featuring Vince Vaughn. The colorful cast of characters range from a motley crew of Florida men white supremacists, corrupt politicians, wealthy donors who run a foundation that is a facade for some nefarious right-wing agendas, vigilantes, escorts, hitmen, and more. Carl Hiaasen brings you on a wild ride and hits another home run with this one!

perfect - no notes. This was the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a LONG time.

With the current state of the world being a miserable disaster where you constantly feel like you’re insane reading the news each day - this was the exact book I needed to read to lighten the doom and gloom.

I had never even heard of Carl Hiaasen before reading this and I cannot wait to go through his backlist. This was a hilarious, fun read with the most interesting (and mostly vile) cast of characters. I neeed a second book with Twilly and Viva though.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Get ready for another fun filled Florida romp by best selling author Carl Hiaasen!

Fever Beach tells the tale of Floridian Dale Figgo, the only person kicked out of the Proud Boys for being too dumb and incompetent. His continued stupidity, as the creator of a new hate group, Strokers for Liberty, sets the reader on a wacky path to a hilarious political satire. The book will have you laughing out loud at the shenanigans of all the sun-crazed Florida crackpots.

Here is a mini-quiz to determine if you will enjoy Fever Beach.
1. Are you a fervent MAGA supporter?
2. Are you a white supremacist, racist or think your own race should rule them all?
3. Are you a corrupt Florida politician, have been involved in a few shady deals, or both?
4. Is your sense of humor strong enough that you can laugh at eccentric characters doing ill advised antics that seem very similar, or not, to yourself?

It doesn’t matter how you answered questions 1 through 3. As long as you answered yes to question 4, you will love Fever Beach as much as I did. Welcome to the Carl Hiaasen fan club. 5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for providing me with an advanced review copy.

Carl Hiaasen has written an hilarious political satire about dimwitted white supremacists in Florida organizing to get a sexually-perverted Congressman reelected and maybe get themselves famous and on Sean Hannity's show. Everything that can go wrong does, with the help of a Hispanic woman named Viva Morales and Twilly Spree, a wealthy man with anger management issues who wants to save the Earth, one piece at a time. Hope to see those two delightful characters again. I missed Carl's previous book Squeeze Me, a satire about Mar-a-Lago, which I look forward to reading soon.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

If you aren’t laughing or at least have a smile on your face within the first five minutes of starting this book, then either you have no sense of humor or…well, no there is no or…you simply have no sense of humor and you might want to see a doctor about that. Carl Hiaasen has been entertaining readers (and me specifically) for decades. Carl is one of a handful of authors who loves to focus exclusively on the insanity of ‘The Florida Man’. You know what I mean, right? Anytime you hear a truly outrageous story it’s usually coming out of Florida. And Carl knows how to craft some of the craziest characters. Larger than life and over the top and yet somehow also kind of believable…at least you want to believe they could be real. And that is definitely the case with his newest book, Fever Beach, and the character of wannabe white supremacist Dale Figgo. You’d have to have been living under a rock not to pick up on the lampooning parody Hiaasen has crafted here. Yes, Hiaasen slams the political Right quite hard at times, but if you have any sense of humor at all I dare you not to find this unbelievably outrageous tale funny. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to an ARC of Fever Beach.

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