Skinny Dip: Jump in with both feet into a swell book

Skinny Dip is a wonderful mastery of fictional work with humor, sarcastic wit, irony and tall tales! Another fabulous part of the story is it’s set in none other than my favorite place FLORIDA. Yep, Florida, home of the alligators, weirdo’s, love deprived, depraved, and oh so funny people. I had never read any of Carl Hiaasen’s books before Skinny Dip. I will however, read many more from this author. His witty style, his humor and the way he makes his characters so very real, with their dialog, their actions and reactions has made me a fan. Never mind his fabulous setting of FLORIDA!!

Main character, Joey Perrone has terrible luck when it comes to men. Her father died when she was only four years old, leaving her with a chunk of money. Then her first husband was killed by a spinning sky diver. Only he left her with another chunk of money. Then she was dumped by several boyfriends. When the arrogant, self centered, but totally good looking, and well endowed, long lasting lover Chaz Perrone sweeps Joey off her feet. She should have realized trouble was ahead.

Married to Chaz for two years, Joey and Chaz take a cruise to celebrate their second wedding anniversary. Dr. Perrone (biologist) realizes that Joey may know about his illegal and money gaining fraudulent reports he’s doing that is destroying the Everglades eco system. Chaz realizes that money is more important than his wife. He decides to throw her overboard. Only Chaz forgot that Joey was on the college swim team. Chaz throws Joey off the high cruise ship, walks to his room, sets the alarm and falls easily to sleep. Can’t you tell he’s a cad? In the morning, he starts his tale of sorrow about his missing wife. He’s a very good actor. Coast guard comes, nothing is found of Joey. Chaz thinks he’s in the clear, and starts to move on with his life.

Only, Joey survived the fall, and is rescued near an island by Mick Stranahan. After he nurses Joey back to health. Mick and Joey plan revenge on dear old Chaz. Meanwhile Chaz is running into one problem after another. He’s developed E.D. in the bedroom, and cannot perform. He’s got a detective that is very suspicious of Chaz’s story. His mistress is hounding him. A detective suspects him of foul play.

Next comes a story of betrayal from any one and everyone against dimwit Chaz. His mistress, his boss, his bosses goon, the detective, and most importantly Joey. The author does a wonderful job of weaving several mini stories into this one wild yarn of a story. You get drugs, you get sex, you get rock and roll, you get betrayal, you get love, you get hate, and you get the picture. The author takes you into the swamps of the everglades, describing with detail the environment, the mosquito’s, the smell, you’ll be swatting the air while reading it, thinking you’re getting bit by the bugs. I’ve never enjoyed a book so much as this one. The humor is funny, the one liners will have you laughing out loud. You’ll cheer on each slimy character, you’ll want to reach in and slap Joey up side the head sometimes. The author pulls you into his story, wear a life jacket while reading this book. You’ll be sad when it’s over.