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Basket Case (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.00) - 7,684 listener ratings
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Once a hotshot investigative reporter, Jack Tagger now bangs out obituaries for a South Florida daily, “plotting to resurrect my newspaper career by yoking my byline to some famous stiff.” Jimmy Stoma, the infamous front man of Jimmy and the Slut Puppies, dead in a fishy-smelling scuba “accident,” might be the stiff of Jack’s dreams—if only he can figure out what happened. Standing in the way are (among others) his ambitious young editor, who hasn’t yet fired anyone but plans to “break her cherry” on Jack; the rock star’s pop-singer widow, who’s using the occasion of her husband’s death to re-launch her own career; and the soulless, profit-hungry owner of the newspaper, whom Jack once publicly humiliated at a stockholders’ meeting. With clues from the dead rock singer’s music, Jack ultimately unravels Jimmy Stoma’s strange fate—in a hilariously hard-won triumph for muckraking journalism, and for the death-obsessed obituary writer himself. “Always be halfway prepared” is Jack Tagger’s motto—and it’s more than enough to guarantee a wickedly funny, brilliantly entertaining novel from Carl Hiaasen.
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"Haven't read one of Hiaasen's books in awhile. This one was fun and a quick read. I am sick at home with a cold and it was a good distraction from feeling crummy. Hiaasen has the touch to suck you right into his mystery and hold you there till the last page."
— Chelsea (4 out of 5 stars)
Basket Case Listener Reviews
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" A departure from classic Hiaasen style, but still great! "
— Sarah, 2/17/2014 -
" good story.violent at times but not an ugly book.the dialouge is classic. "
— James, 2/15/2014 -
" redeemed carl hiaasen for me........after reading star island............wasnt sure if i even wanted to read another hiaasen book. THis was chuck full of the dry humor and florida antics that have made his other books so enjoyable. "
— Lance, 2/14/2014 -
" Nancy 4 stars; Ron - 5 stars "
— Ron, 2/13/2014 -
" A mindless, silly and escapist romp. Perfect reading for decompressing from a grueling work week. "
— Cathy, 2/13/2014 -
" Carl Hiaasen's works are usually very funny, intelligent, witty, creative, with a happy ending. What could you want more from an entertaining lite read? The imaginative characters, the adventure, the great use of irony and sarcasm, he keeps you guessing how things could possibly all work out for the best, and they do in his books which I like. I always find good qualities to admire in his heros, and can easily despise the villians, cheering when they meet their demise...in whatever creative fashion that might come. I also like the positive ecological theme that runs throughout many of his books. Hiaasen's works are great diversions in life, and if you look at them the right way you might even find a surprising improved perspective, but perhaps that's simply from the number of laugh out loud moments. "
— Janelle, 1/31/2014 -
" Very entertaining story, great characters. Would've loved a bit more suspense. "
— Elizabeth, 1/25/2014 -
" This book accomplished what I imagine it set out to do: be mildly entertaining. It was an easy, midless read. I can't really say I'd recommend it but, for a book I got for free on vacation, it served its purpose well. "
— Lisa, 1/20/2014 -
" This one was a lot of fun. I could really see it being made into a movie... "
— Shedrick, 1/17/2014 -
" My first Hiaasen novel...and perhaps my last. I'm undecided. It's not a terrible book. It's the fact that Hiassen tries too hard to be cool. "
— Coral, 1/17/2014 -
" Not as good as some of his books, this book is a sentimental favorite for the connection to the late Warren Zevon. Still a fun read. "
— Carlin, 1/4/2014 -
" My favorite Hiaasen book. How can a where the main character is an obituary writer fail? "
— Kangs, 12/31/2013 -
" An obituary writer investigates a pop singer's death. Populated with Hiaasen's typical outsiders and full-on nut jobs with a generous dose of his wry humor. "
— Sharon, 12/30/2013 -
" Carl Hiaasen, where have you been all my life? "
— Emily, 12/26/2013 -
" The book started of meandering through the park then sprinted, full force, to the finish. It was entertaining and will make me pick up another book by this author to see if it's any better, but I wouldn't give this one to a friend if I wanted them to start reading this author. "
— Yasmin, 12/17/2013 -
" It was pretty good, but I gave up with about 50 pages left. "
— Courtney, 12/14/2013 -
" You can never not be entertained by a Carl Hiaasen book...never. "
— Tasha, 11/27/2013 -
" carl's always good for lite reading and a good laugh... "
— Therese, 10/29/2013 -
" Centers on reporter Jack Tagger, currently writing obituaries for a Miami newspaper purchased by a soul-less corporate monolith. He ends up pursuing the death of a former punk rocker for the Slut Puppies. The usual enjoyable silliness. "
— Rusty, 10/11/2013 -
" Having enjoyed Skinny Dip I read this right on its heels. I didn't care for it nearly as much. "
— Robin, 8/30/2013 -
" I am normally a fan of his, but this book was a little disappointing. "
— Amy, 6/5/2013 -
" As always, Hiaasen keeps me interested as well as makes me laugh. Just on the edge of believable. "
— Jen, 4/4/2013 -
" Mildly amusing. Definitely one of Hiassen's weaker efforts. "
— Martin, 3/30/2013 -
" Gripping and fun read. Good character development as with most Hiaasen books. "
— Brynna, 2/18/2013 -
" Another fun read by Hiaasen. Liked this one, but thought Skinny Dip was better... "
— Carol, 1/20/2013 -
" Fun book... not his best but a good read. "
— Al, 11/25/2012 -
" Still at the beach. This is my 4th or 5th Hiaasen and I usually get quite a laugh out of him but this one seems to drag on just a bit too much. "
— Mona, 9/28/2012 -
" Another very entertaining book by Carl Hiassen. Mystery with a comic twist. "
— Donna, 9/25/2012
About Carl Hiaasen
Carl Hiaasen is a successful journalist and novelist. He is a writer and investigative reporter for the Miami Herald, and his work has appeared in Time, Life, Esquire, Playboy, Gourmet, and Sports Illustrated. His earliest novels—Powder Burn, Trap Line, and A Death In China—were cowritten with fellow journalist Bill Montalbano. Since then, he has written books in a variety of genres. His novel Strip Tease was made into a movie in 1996, and his young adult novel Hoot, a Newbery honoree, was made into a movie in May 2006. A number of Hiassen’s works have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, including Star Island, Chomp, Sick Puppy, and Scat. In addition to being a writer, Hiassen is also a public speaker. He lives in Florida with his family.