Squeeze Me

I received a copy of this audiobook through Libro.fm's ALC program.

What is there to say about Carl Hiaasen's latest humorous look at contemporary life in South Florida? It was truly odd to listen to this during COVID. Mostly because I'm used to reading his books years and years after the real-world events (hurricanes, in particular) mentioned in his books, but this one takes place a year or so after COVID has been...eradicated? The story takes place on and around Palm Beach, and more specifically at the "Winter White House" where Mastodon and Mockingbird reside. 

I did enjoy how he very deliberately (one presumes) does NOT name the president and first lady.  The reader of the audiobook, Scott Brick, also did a FANTASTIC job of reading, especially with the president. 

The story begins with a Burmese python swallowing (and I'm not joking here) a little old lady whole. She just happened to be one of Mastodon's strongest supporters, and was attending a swank fundraising party when the snake (far FAR out of its normal habitat) ate her up. What follows is classic Hiaasen shenanigans. 

Mostly I enjoyed this. I felt like the story was disconnected at times, like there were so many threads he lost track of how they tied back together. But honestly that didn't bother me that much. I think the humor was off-putting at times, because I listed to this two months before our (meaning American) presidential election and it made me wince as much as it made me laugh. However, I will always read Carl Hiaasen when I need a break from heavier topics. He is fantastic at adding a humorous touch to the bleakest topic (i.e. the 2020 US presidential election).