Three days after reading this book, I am still chuckling at the 27 million quips, jokes, witticisms, snide remarks, side eyes, snarky remarks, puns, and totally hilarious situations. Most fun I have had reading to myself since, well, ever. Totally absurd storyline meets supercharged misfit characters. Yum. I cannot wait for Mr. Hiaasen to do me again. My thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.

I had not read a Carl Hiaasen book previously. This has a slight funny aspect depending on your sense of humor but with today's climate I am able to chuckle at some of the situations. One of the main characters in Fever Beach is Figgo. He has been thrown out of Proud Boys for being too dumb. He has been ejected from Oath Keepers for being totally incompetent. So, he has started his own group of unhinged white nationalists and conspiracy theorists. Figgo and his band of scary men are called the Strokers for Liberty. Figgo is a clever guy who can believe up to 5 contradictory conspiracy theories at the same time, and his followers are just as smart. Figgo has some big plans, but unfortunately for him, some other people have some different plans for his group. Corrupt politician. Hitman with a conscience. Stupid neo-Nazis. Skink has been replaced by a trust-fund baby with anger management issues. There are, of course, a couple of interesting pretty women. And, of course, an attempt to fix an election and bribe a zoning board. As usual, his ear for dialect is superb—several LOLs as the neo-Nazis talk with each other. Not his very best, but it kept me up till zero-dark-thirty last night to finish it.

4 star rating

Carl Hiaasen's Fever Beach is political satire at its best. I kept thinking how does he come up with these outrageously entertaining characters. I loved all the references to protecting the animals and land of Florida from corporate greed. Viva Morales was definitely my favorite character even when sometimes she was a little to trusting in relationships and business. Fever Beach will make you snort with laughter and I cannot wait for more Carl Hiaasen books!

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Carl Hiaasen is an author who has built an excellent, long career around writing novels whose characters are quirky misguided misfits of one sort or the other. Almost every character he places within his hysterical, raunchy, and spot on satirical stories lives (or has lived) in that odd and magnetic Sunshine State that we know and love (or love to hate) called FLORIDA.

Perhaps it's the relentlessly bright sunshine, the occasional weather related catastrophy, or the scorching heat and humidity that must be endured, but 9 times out of 10, these questionable story folks lead lives that mostly skirt just to the left or to the right of the law. Their life choices are almost always questionable at best. And, you will have a very hard time discerning the truly frightening characters from the mostly frightening ones. But somehow, you recognize these people, and no matter how twisted or despicable they may be, you will hang around if for no other reason than to see them "get theirs!" (This is my way of saying, "You have been warned. Step away from Hiaasen if thee be faint of heart... or adverse to some raunchy humor!)

Potential readers:
Carl Hiaasen embraces the quintessential, slightly mythic, and the more than a little strange concept of the reality of:

*FLORIDA MAN/FLORIDA WOMAN*

In his recently published novel, "Fever Beach," he seamlessly combines the aforementioned character qualities with a spot-on, hysterically funny, and decidedly political satire of the trying times we Americans have been living through for almost a decade. Whether you like, love, or hate this novel, Hiaasen adeptly skewers the political nightmare of current American politics. He holds little back in his depictions of corrupt politicians, racism in our everyday
world, and the impossible to understand rationalization by many Americans of criminal, unethical, and immoral behavior of their elected leaders, friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers.

I am, and will always be, a fan of the Hiaasen World of mischief makers, madmen (and madwomen), and miscreants! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced, uncorrected proof of "Fever Beach."

Carl Hiaasen never disappoints! Fever Beach is full of a cast of ridiculous characters seemingly pulled out of today’s headlines. Picture white supremacists, right-wing extremists, politicians, and prostitutes along with Hiaasen’s witty dialog and you have a timely and entertaining read.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for this ARC.

Carl Hiaasen has done it again! Irreverently funny. I couldn't put it down! Viva is trying to rebuild her life after divorce. She moves to Florida and starts working for a foundation of a billionaire couple. The trouble is, they are in cahoots with a crooked Congressman. Viva tries to set things right and chaos ensues!

This was an entertaining and light read. It really is a book for the post-2024 world though all the bad-guys get their comeuppance. I recommend this book.

A while back, my mystery book club read the first book in Carl Hiaasen's Skink series. I enjoyed it, and when I saw he had a new book out, I knew I needed to read it.

I had a little trouble getting into the book. Given the political climate we are living in and the extremist featured in the book, it felt too much like reading the news. But Hiassen writes such great stupid characters, and you know that justice will prevail by the end of the novel.

What do I mean by "great stupid characters"? Take Dale Figgo, for instance. He is definitely one where you will be asking, "How stupid can one person be?" It is comical at points and with any other writer it would be unrealistic. Hiassen, though, walks the fine line and comes out with a character that is believable (in the sense that he could be a real person).

And speaking of believable... The plot could be one of the stories we read in the news. Dale Figgo was kicked out of the Proud Boys and now leads a group of Proud Boys wanna-bes called Strokers for Liberty. They are backed by a corrupt politician who is up for re-election. This group provides a good deal of the comedy in the novel

Of course, there are the "good guys" in the novel and they are great too. There is no indication that Fever Beach is the start of a new series, but there were some hints at the end that Twilly and Viva may have future adventures. If we are privileged enough to be party to them in a future book, it would definitely be one I would read. They worked well together.

I don't read a lot of satire. I don't know if I'm just too literal or what but sometimes I just don't get it. I typically shy away from it. Perhaps it is because Hiassen's story resonates so closely with the times we are living in, but I find his writing enjoyable. I'm not sure I could read his books one after another, but he is definitely an author on my list to read when I have a break in my schedule (he has quite the backlist).

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Saturday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/07/fever-beach-by-carl-hiassen-review.html

Fever Beach was 5 stars! It has been 5 years since Carl Hiaasen’s last adult book, so I was so excited and had really high hopes for this book. It was more over the top, funny, and addicting than I hoped for. There is no author that writes like him, and this novel is everything I have come to love in Carl Hiaasen’s books.

With some crazy characters, political scandals bursting at the seams, and protagonist that has apenchant for "creative" revenge, FEVER BEACH, by Carl Hiaasen, is a rollercoaster of a book. There are two stooges that were so inept that they were kicked out of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, a elderly couple flush with money but empty of tolerance and acceptance, and their foundation's employee and her new boyfriend who want to all of these miserable people get what they deserve. With a dimwitted, self-centered politician and his dastardly father and the politician's mistress in the mix as well, the story starts with a bang and has so many hilarious moments of revenge, ineptitude, and ridiculous narcissism that the reader won't be able to put the book down. There is also a underlying commentary on the society of modern America that spills out of the plot throughout.
I had more audible reactions to his book than any book I've had in recent history. I recommend to everyone, but I must admit I don't know how well people of a specific political leaning will enjoy FEVER BEACH.

This was a new author for me, but I enjoyed very much. I love how he writes his characters. He is now on my to buy list.

A laugh-out loud hit for the summer, Carl Hiaasen's latest book Fever Beach is another comedic saga set in Florida. There are so many great moments, zany characters, and some serious political satire. So if you're in the mood for humor add this book to your beach bag today.

Click here to check out the book today.

What happened? I used to absolutely love novels by Carl Hiaasen. In his most recent release, Fever Beach, we see a conflict between good—in the person of our main character, Viva Morales—and evil, played by a variety of Proud Boys wannabees and other undesirables. The good person is always good; the bad guys have no redeeming qualities. Only Viva’s ex-husband is a dynamic character.

Still, my thanks go to Doubleday and NetGalley for the review copy. This book is for sale now.

As I read, I keep reminding myself that this is not a book I’m supposed to take too seriously, to lighten up and just roll with it. I certainly used to do so when reading Hiaasen’s work. But perhaps because of the stereotyping and complete lack of nuance, what might otherwise have seemed droll and satirical, instead comes across like a whole lot of cheap shots fired off the bow.

Mind you, I am certainly not a fan of ultraright organizations, and the rising tide of bigotry, fascist ideology and anti-Semitism concerns me greatly. But in an already highly polarized nation and world, all I can think as I read is that this story isn’t helping. It is the snobbery and elitism of the highly educated that has driven a large number of folks into the arms of extreme right; some intelligently reject the elitism and cancel culture consciously, but they aren’t in this book. In real life, those that are poorly educated and/or intellectually handicapped, as the bad guys in this book are, would in most cases give their right arms to wake up “clever” like Viva. It strikes me as counterproductive to write a book that makes fun of right-wing intolerance, while practicing intolerance from a different angle.

Back in the day, before anyone judged anyone else by the color of their hat, I used to roar with laughter at this author’s work. Did it change, or did I? I would like to think it is the former.

I rated this book 2.5 stars and have rounded it upward, more from a fondness of his early novels than anything else. I do recall reading another of his more recent books—not for review, but just because I felt like it—and saw some of the same problems, so I will tell you that this book will probably work for you if you enjoyed his last one. Apart from that, I cannot recommend it.

Chaotic, colorful, and undeniably over-the-top, Fever Beach is a wild ride through Florida-style dysfunction. The characters are outrageous, the satire is sharp, and the political jabs come fast and furious. But while the absurdity can be fun, it occasionally overwhelms the story itself, making it hard to connect with the plot or care too deeply about the outcomes. Hiaasen fans will appreciate the trademark zaniness, but others might find it a bit too much. Entertaining in bursts, but not as memorable as it wants to be.

Carl Hiaasen has been writing about the absurdities of ‘Florida man’ since before the invention of the meme, and his latest work, FEVER BEACH, is no exception. This is stereotypical Hiassen expertly using wit and sarcasm, to explore the absurdities of life amongst the inhabitants of that reddest of states, Florida. Hiassen never holds back in revealing the bitterness, anger, and ignorance of his characters, while giving the reader a story that is at times hilarious and heartbreaking.

I have read several of Mr. Hiassen’s works and they never fail to entertain. Definitely recommended.

This book made me laugh out loud so many times... Who knew that the Proud Boys rejected people? When they do I guess they create their own hate group. And when one of the members works in a factory packaging sex toys they become the "Strokerz for Liberty!" This one should contain a MAGA trigger warning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC!

This was my first by Hiaasen and I am eagerly anticipating reading basically anything he writes from now on. I found myself chuckling to myself on way more than one occasion, the absurdity of the political climate was front and center in Fever Beach. Hysterical moments with complete dolts trying to get their twisted messages across and I was loving every minute of it. Highly recommend!

I have loved & enjoyed all of the Carl Hiaasen books I have read, and this one was no different. I love how he always manages to bring everyone's connections and story lines together. This book is just a little bit scary because it is so close to real issues right now. Enough that this could probably be listed as nonfiction and I wouldn't know the difference. I had a great time with this one, and some of the characters were really fun. Everyone who deserved it got what was coming to them, and some of it was hilarious.

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.