Carl Hiaasen and political satire are one of my favorite combinations. In this book, he takes on the usual suspects of Florida, white supremacy, extortion, bribery and the general buffoonery that is politics today. The good guys are morally gray and the bad guys are over the top stupid. The story is so ridiculous that you will laugh out loud while secretly worrying that people like this actually exist. Another fun ride from Carl Hiaasen and I for one, would be happy to see Twilly and Viva return in another book.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ecopy. My opinion is my own.

Welcome to Fever Beach, where the sun blazes, the politics are unhinged, and the characters are as volatile as a summer storm.

Dale Figgo is a half-baked crusader with the rare distinction of being kicked out of the Proud Boys—for being too dumb. His latest bad decision? Picking up a hitchhiker on a rainy afternoon while running an errand.

That errand sets off a chain reaction involving Viva Morales, a clever, resilient newcomer trying to rebuild her life post-divorce. She’s renting a room in Figgo’s apartment and working at the Mink Foundation—a philanthropic front with something far darker beneath the surface.

Circling them is Twilly Spree, a hotheaded environmentalist with too much cash and a gift for over-the-top revenge.

When dark money and twisted motives bring their worlds crashing together, Viva and Twilly become unlikely allies. Together, they uncover a tangle of corruption and conspiracy led by a plastic-surgery-loving billionaire couple and a clueless congressman with delusions of grandeur.

In his most outrageous and deliciously funny novel yet, Hiaasen delivers a gleefully chaotic portrait of contemporary madness.

I had to try to explain Carl Hiaasen to someone recently and the best I could come up was "Take the biggest dirtbags you can think of doing really dumb things, add in a couple of people who may be a little dirtbag-ish but underneath it is a heart of gold, and set the whole thing in Florida." And that is exactly what Hiaasen has given us here.

In Fever Beach, we first have the Strokers for Liberty, a white supremacist group lead by the incomparable Dale Figgo, who find themselves tapped by sleazy politician Clure Boyette to prevent another "election steal" in his district. Viva Morales is an accountant who works for one of Clure's bank rollers, and she knows something weird is going on, she just isn't sure exactly what it is. An accidental friendship with independently wealthy vigilante-about-town Twilly Spree leads Viva and Twilly deeper into the corruption as they try to gather enough evidence to foil the Congressman's plans.

There is nothing "normal" or "boring" about a Carl Hiaasen book, from Figgo and his skin graft to the homicidal kid working Boyette's construction site. If you want a wild ride through a Florida election season, you know where to go.

By the way, every time they referenced Figgo's nose, all I could think about was the judge from Nothing But Trouble (IYKYK).

Fans of Hiaasen will not be disappointed with his latest book featuring the dumbest group of neo Nazis that Florida has ever seen. I appreciate that all of his female characters are savvy and there were some truly laugh out loud moments. 3.5 stars.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that element that I was wanting in this type of book. It had that tension that I was looking for and was invested in what was going on in this book. The characters were so well done in this story and worked well in this genre. I had enjoyed previous books from Carl Hiaasen and this was another great concept.

I always like Carl Hiaasen books, but this time the story felt all too possible, so I think that threw me.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen in exchange for an honest review.

In Hiaasen’s newest novel, we are reunited with long-time character Twilly Spree and his new flame Viva Morales. Morales, a new Florida resident, and recently poor from her ex-husband, rents a room in a shared apartment with Dale Figgo, a former Proud Boy who was kicked out of the group for defacing the wrong statue. Figgo, founder of the Strokerz for Liberty, a group of moronic neo-Nazis are trying their hand at fame through political manipulation. Morales lands a job for the Minks Foundation, a seemingly influential, philanthropic group, who she begins to suspect has a darker, seedier side. While Morales digs deeper into the foundation, Twilly infiltrates the Strokerz for Liberty by becoming a key member.

With his wild characters, on point political references, satire and humor, Hiaasen delivers another hit. Fever Beach is a laugh out loud funny, applicable in the current political climate page turner that leaves you wanting more. Hiaasen continues to be one of the most relevant authors of today tackling complex political and environmental issues through humor, story and unforgettable characters.

I haven't read anything by Carl Hiaasen before and I was not prepared for the language, the idiocy, and the politically unethicalness. It isn't my type of book and I didn't enjoy it. The point of it was lost on me. I thank NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC. If you like this type of book you may enjoy it the writing is quality, I am not interested in the subject.

Maybe this wasn't a good choice for my first Carl Hiaasen. Was there a plot? The characters are just cliches. And they have me ick vibes.

I don't think I had ever read a book by Hiaasen so took the opportunity to review this one when it was given. While he has done a great job creating unusual, quirky and dumber than dirt characters, I was soon overcome with all of the foul language and the sex references. I got tiresome of the ongoing political stuff too. Some of the dialogue was snappy and fun but so much of it was just foul language.

I decided there are so many gross people in real life with odd political agendas, I did not want to spend my time reading about fictional ones.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent reflection of the part of the book I read.

Another laugh-out-loud, yet twisted, look at bumbling white supremacists and Florida politics. A stand-alone title, Fever Beach nevertheless has all the now-classic hallmarks of a Hiaasen novel: set in Florida, populated by more than its fair share of Florida M(e)n, with hijinks and idiocy riding shotgun to a heartfelt satire/social commentary.

This funny, satirical novel is about a band of characters that people will recognize-Viva, who is trying to get back on her feet after a disastrous marriage, Twilly Spree, a man trying to live down his inheritance, Dale Figgo, a white supremacist wannabe and his mom, a crooked congressman all come together with Carl Hiassen's magic to make an unwilling community of people trying to make a difference. People who like books about current topics, especially skewed with Hiassen's magical sense of humor are going to love this one, which feels like it was ripped from the headlines or maybe inspired tomorrow's headlines. Super fun read.

When I saw Carl Hiaasen’s name pop up on NetGalley, I did a double take—an adult thriller?! As a middle school teacher, I immediately think of Hoot, which I have multiple copies of on my classroom shelf!

A quick scroll through his Goodreads profile reminded me that I am forever “a day late and a dollar short!” How have I not realized just how prolific Hiaasen is? Clearly, I have so many books to catch up on!

Fever Beach was my first adult novel by Hiaasen, and honestly, it was the perfect introduction. The characters were wild and memorable, the dialogue had me snorting and rolling my eyes (looking at you, Figgo), and the pace never dragged. It was sharp, fast-moving, and full of ridiculous antics in the best way.

A solid four-star read—and now I’ve added yet another author (and a stack of backlist titles) to my TBR!

Thank you NetGalley, Carl Hiaasen, and Knopf for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My mother in law recommended this to me, and it… was not what I expected.

The plot is simple enough. Dale has been rejected from the Proud Boys and other supremacist groups, so he’s decided to found his own, the Strokers for Liberty. His Latina roommate, Viva, doesn’t necessarily approve of his antics, but she believes him to be basically harmless. She quickly becomes embroiled in shady politics and, with the help of her new boytoy Twilly, begins systematically dismantling at least one crooked congressman. This is one hell of a ride with murder, hookers, puppy play, and many other aspects you wouldn’t think you’d find in such a politically charged book.

The characters are all from *very* different backgrounds. You have anything from Viva to Dale to a hired killer to the crooked congressman to the philanthropists who fund said congressman. It makes for a varied cast to say the least.

The writing is lighthearted and entertaining, even with heavier subject matter. It was very easy to read and follow, as long as you can keep up with multi POVs.

I enjoyed this, even if I wouldn’t have normally picked it up. A solid 4⭐️ read.

Art imitates life in “Fever Beach,” which follows a group of misfit rejects from mainstream white supremacist groups, oligarchs, corrupt politicians, and those who want them all to get their comeuppance. There are many laugh out loud moments and many moments that parallel the current US political landscape and had me fantasizing a real life Twilly Spree comes to the rescue.

The story takes place in Florida. It is set in the present but in the shadow of January 6. The villains are comically inept, the heroes many steps ahead of the action. In the final act, the villains self-destruct spectacularly, the heroes step back and let them, which makes it all the more delightful.

I recommend “Fever Beach” to readers with a sense of humor and dismay at the current political climate—it’s a hoot!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I can't recommend it enough! I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down, I finished it in a couple of days!

I know Hiaasen books are always frantic and absurd and make you say “WTF” on the regular, but I really struggled with this one, due to the truly loathsome white nationalists. While the satire may be on point, it felt a little too on the nose that we learned so much more about those creeps’ inner workings than about Viva’s. I get why others will enjoy it, but it fell flat for me.

This story was so well done and I really enjoyed it. I enjoy reading from this author and I'm looking forward to the next book. The plot was really well explored and I enjoyed the overall story. The characters were great and I was able to dive myself into this book. It was well done and I highly recommend. This book was so good.

Hiaasen successfully skewers our current political landscape taking direct aim at white supremacy and political corruption. Our unlikely protagonists make for an interesting match in this completely enjoyable romp. Hiaasen fans will enjoy his usual blend of laugh-out-loud humor and close to the bone truths. If you've never had the pleasure, Fever Beach is a great place to start.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor, and imprint of Knopf, and Netgalley for the digital arc.
Fast moving plot which zips around Florida from the Panhandle to Key West as the Strokers of Liberty unfold a plan to save their version of democracy, and the politicians others with an agenda wheel and deal. The story is populated by local color, food, flora and fauna and the distinctive Hiaason characters who exhibit various levels of common sense and moral integrity. They run the gamut of parents with dysfunctional adult children, flawed characters with good intentions, and immoral characters with bad intentions. Fever Beach is a 2025 favorite.
#FeverBeach