Skinny Dip

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

When Chaz Perron's wife discovers that he is running a scam (posing as a marine biologist to doctor water samples so that an agribusiness tycoon can continue illegally dumping fertilizer into the Everglades), he pushes her overboard from a cruise liner. Unlucky for Chaz, Joey survives clutching a bale of Jamaican pot. Rescued from the Atlantic by a former police officer, Mick Stranahan, she decides not to report him but instead haunt and taunt him, with Mick's help, by playing dead. As a result, Chaz becomes increasingly erratic and inept, a fact noticed by his ruthless and cold-blooded coworkers. Also, the six-time-married Mick rediscovers the thwarted romantic in him, believing that the seventh time might be the charm.

©2004 Carl Hiaasen (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"At this point in his career as a comic novelist, Carl Hiaasen did not need to get any better. He has long been writing smarty, fizzy Floridian escapades that amount to pure reading pleasure. But Skinny Dip, his latest, is something more: a screwball delight so full of bright, deft, beautifully honed humor that it places Mr. Hiaasen in the company of Preston Sturges, Woody Allen and S.J. Perelman....Mr. Hiaasen writes with finesse." (The New York Times)
"Hiaasen's signature mix of hilariously over-the-top villains, lovable innocents and righteous indignation at what mankind has done to his beloved Florida wilderness is all present in riotous abundance in his latest....Hiaasen's books are so enjoyable it's always a sad moment when they end." (Publishers Weekly)
"No reprobate escapes the satirical eye of Hiaasen, who writes like the love child of Hunter S. Thompson and Evelyn Waugh....Like Hiaasen's nine previous novels, this one's a corker, chock-full of belly laughs and blistering truths." (Booklist)

Not a Hiaasen virgin anymore...

This book is absolutely hilarious. I listened to it while I was at work and I laughed my butt off.

The narrator (Stephen Hoye) is great and does an amazing job with all the characters. Especially the moronic *ss-hole, slut-chasing Chaz and dope-headed turned soft-hearted "Tool" aka Earl.

This is the first time I ever read or listened to one of Hiassen's books before and I can't wait for another adult book. I highly recommened Skinny Dip.

How can anyone not think this is funny?

Those few who did not find this funny need to lighten up. I don't usually laugh out loud listening to books, but this one did it do me. The characters are portraits in outrageousness and the same goes for the situations they are in. I think Hiaasen must have great fun dreaming these folks up. I liked Skinny Dip so much I got Double Whammy, just as outrageous and worth a listen, but not quite up to Skinny Dip. Give at least one of these a try, but be ready to have your imagination stretched, and go ahead, laugh a little.

Very good writing, excellent narration!

Following up on some of the other reviews, I would agree that yes, the plot is predictable - you know that the bad guy must get it in the end, and one need not have a doctorate to figure out the pieces of the puzzle.

Still, the book is an excellent 'read!' Without the narrator's outstanding skills, I would probably rate this as 4 stars - good, but not great. The narration though, puts this over the top. He pulls the nuances from the characters, bringing them to hysterical life. Definitely worth it in my opinion.

Skinny Dip

This was a very good read. Funny, light and just plain fun to read.

Here's the skinny...

This book was a hoot and I highly recommend it! It delivers a very tight story, great narration, scenes that can be visualized, and one-liners better than Jon Stewart. This is a novel without a flaw and I can honestly say that I loved the entire book. Best thing I've read in months!

Fun Listen

Would you consider the audio edition of Skinny Dip to be better than the print version?

I did not read the book before listening but the voice in this book is great. Makes you feel the characters

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rolvag. Because I know he figured out what was going on long before it was common knowledge Or maybe Tool. Because hes smarter and more feeling then he looks

Have you listened to any of Stephen Hoye’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Free Falling

Any additional comments?

Great story Keeps you hooked

Summer Fun

Total summer fun! This was a great read...very funny at times. Really enjoyed it.

Fell in love with my readers voice

Would you consider the audio edition of Skinny Dip to be better than the print version?

Yes, again loved the readers voice and emotion when reading

What did you like best about this story?

just a great funny story

What about Stephen Hoye’s performance did you like?

Have the worst crush on him !!

If you could take any character from Skinny Dip out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Mick - he is too cool for words

LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!!!

I don't often laugh out loud while reading/listening - this book changed that. It was hilarious. The characters and their scenarios were just too funny. I will read everything this author has written.

Skinny Dip

What a hoot. I have not read Carl Hiaasen before - my loss - what a great mystery along with more than enough really good laughs. I am now going to look forward to reading more and more books by him.