Ex-reporter Joe Winder had been working in the public relations department of a sleazy family entertainment park, The Amazing Kingdom of Thrills, when he chanced upon a news-breaking story inspired by the disappearance of two blue-tongued voles and the bizarre death of Orky, the killer whale.
Download and start listening now!
"Hiaasen as always pleases me, but in this crazy rodent ridden environmental tale I admit, I felt like there was one too many characters or something. I think maybe I need to chill out on Hiaasen cuz I have read so many of his books of late(they are just like candy and I can't keep my fat hand out of the bag)they are all kinda the same...still I recommend him cuz he is hilarious."
— rebekah (4 out of 5 stars)
“Rips, zips, hurtles, keeping us turning pages at breakfinger pace.”
— New York Times Book Review“Giddy, raucous entertainment.”
— Entertainment Weekly“A weird, wild, comic caper of ecological guerrilla warfare that bites as often as it laughs…one helluva ride.”
— Chicago Tribune“Outrageous…It all comes together in a spectacular finale that combines the fury of Day of the Locust with the imagination of Hieronymous Bosch.”
— Booklist (starred review)“Hiaasen keeps a broad cast of zany character—Winder’s girlfriend answers the phone for a call-in porn service; a steroid-crazed, weight-lifting ex-cop ingests hormones from a portable IV—moving at a breakneck clip. Murders (one accomplished by an amorous rogue dolphin), explosive revenge taken on land-moving machinery, the triumphs of love found and principles regained, and the singular environment of the Florida Keys are ingredients of this…always inventive entertainment.”
— Publishers Weekly" Nancy 3 stars; Ron 0 stars "
— Ron, 2/15/2014" Up to the usual Carl Hiaasen standards. Very funny and zany! "
— Marie, 2/11/2014" I listened to this, audiobook. My commute was enjoyable listening to the narration. The author has quite the imagination. "
— Janet, 2/8/2014" Typical Hiaasen. Enjoyable but predictable. "
— Ruth, 2/5/2014" This book is definitely for adults. "
— Ms., 1/30/2014" How does he think of this stuff? "
— Rachael, 1/23/2014" This is an enjoyable read for the fan of Hiaasen's brand of zaniness. However, I found that the bizarre plot lines that are a hallmark of his work were more apparent in the premise (blue-tongued mango voles, octogenarian radical environmental groups) than in the execution. The book felt "phoned in" at times. "
— Stephanie, 1/20/2014" Hilarious book. Carl Hiaasen is mystery light and entertwines hilarious characters at every turn. Always around Florida, some law enforcement-type characters, and always keeps you giggling. "
— Shanti, 1/19/2014" more poetic rough justice "
— Helen, 1/19/2014" I like his books for children much better; not sure what this says about me "
— Becky, 1/12/2014" i love the characters of Hiaasen's books. Good or bad at heart, they draw you in. Great reading. "
— Mememe, 1/11/2014" This book was so much fun. Spent much time in Key Largo when I was younger and am familiar with the unique characters who call it home. My uncle was one!! I'm sorry I have finished the book, but I have another one queued up ready to go. "
— Elizabeth, 1/8/2014" I enjoyed the wacky characters and fast-paced story. "
— Jeanine, 12/30/2013" Screwball crime comedy. "
— James, 12/20/2013" This one's a little older but is a little more classic Hiaasen. Always fun reading books set in Florida and Hiassen does a great job creating some entertaining and ridiculous characters. "
— Amish, 12/19/2013" Formulaic comic crime novel, but fun to read. Blue-tongued voles, Amazing Kingdom of Thrills, Mothers of Wilderness. "
— Rebecca, 12/9/2013" classic Hiaasen. Funny, frustrating. It's all there. "
— Jennifer, 10/29/2013" Fun and easy. Standard Carl Hiaasen. "
— Mark, 10/27/2013" It features voles. What's not to like? "
— Christopher, 10/5/2013" Always colorful characters and good fun while being champions for the environment. Love Hiassen and this one doesn't disappoint. "
— Maria, 8/17/2013" Like most of Carl Hiaasen's books this was south Florida at it most uncouth. He makes his trashy criminal characters funny. "
— Teresa, 3/13/2013" Completely ridiculous and hilarious, but I cannot figure out why the image of a steroid-addled idiot gnawing off his own foot is the funniest part of the book. There are other things that should be funnier, but Pedro Luz turns out to be the highlight of a very strong novel. "
— Ferret, 5/11/2012" Good story and with kids I can can read at my leisure. Short chapters make me look for more book in this line. "
— Jennifer, 3/26/2012" A hilarious book from Hiaasen--bumbling crooks, enviromental theme. Skink makes his first appearance since this is Hiaasen's debut novel, from what I'm told. Although this book is about a copy of Disney, it still manages to slam Disney in its own clever Hiaasen-kind-of-way. Lots of fun. "
— Kendall, 1/30/2012" Great Book. Hiaasen is very funny. "
— Jules, 12/27/2011" Always-inventive Hiaasen sets this one in a tacky theme park. Not my favorite of his books, but still fun reading. "
— Ellen, 7/24/2011" I like Carl Hiaasen, but was not thrilled with Native Tongue. "
— Lladroluv, 5/6/2011" Funny and very witty, but not Hiaasen's best. I really enjoy his characters and plot line, but this one had a few very strange bits. "
— Amber, 3/2/2011" Carl Hiaasen: always good for fun, Florida and fiascoes! "
— Jennifer, 1/29/2011" The funniest throw-away book ever written. The later ones aren't quite as good, but that's because its always the same formula. But when you need something light, Hiaasen is where its at! "
— Kirsten, 1/6/2011" Round two, because I have nothing to read...we'll see "
— Heather, 11/29/2010" FUN FUN FUN, skink one of the best characters ever "
— Benjamin, 11/15/2010" Wonder if this was the genesis of Team Rodent. <br/> <br/>Char: Skink <br/> Jim Tile "
— Debby, 11/8/2010" I enjoy Hiaasen's over-the-top, hyperbole-filled characters and situations. Then I read the paper, and realize he's too close to reality. "
— Mark, 10/24/2010" Crime thriller that has a little humor. Satiric rage against sleeze & corruption in an amusement park similar to Disney World in Florida. It was just an ok book. "
— Grandma, 10/7/2010Carl 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.
George K. Wilson is a working actor in stage, film, television, and commercials with almost one hundred audiobook narrations to his credit. He began in broadcast journalism with American Forces Radio and Television and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He had a lead role in the cult film classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and appeared on television’s One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope, and The Doctors and has been heard on voice-overs for The Guiding Light and The Cosby Show, as well as many television and radio commercials.