[By Nic Lindh on Sunday, 13 June 2004]
Basket Case is Carl Hiaasen in top form. The plot involves a cynical journalist, a murdered rock star, the rock star’s shallow and slutty wife, and a young editor the cynical journalist wants to save from the drudgeries of the current-day newsroom.
Set against a backdrop of Florida’s corrupt politics and the evisceration in the name of profits of newspapers, and involving a well-drawn cast of quirky characters, Basket Case is fast-moving and engaging. Hiaasen writes with great economy and verve, and nails each and every scene.
At the same time, as is Hiaasen’s trademark, the novel is full of black, biting humor.
An excellent read.