Basket Case

by Carl Hiaasen

Hardcover, 2002

Call number

FIC HIA

Collection

Genres

Publication

Knopf (2002), Edition: 1st, 336 pages

Description

Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: NATIONAL BESTSELLER â?˘ A rollicking and hilarious novel from the bestselling author of Squeeze Me and â??Floridaâ??s most entertainingly indignant social criticâ?ť (New York Times Book Review). Jack Taggerâ??s years in exile at the obituaries desk of a South Florida daily havenâ??t dulled his investigative reporterâ??s nose for a good story. When Jimmy Stoma, the infamous front man of Jimmy and the Slut Puppies, dies in a fishy scuba accident, Jack sees his ticket back to page oneâ??if only he can figure out what really happened. Standing in his way are, just for starters, his ambitious young editor, who hasnâ??t yet fired anyone but plans to â??break her cherryâ?ť on Jack; the rock starâ??s pop-singer widow, whoâ??s using the occasion of her husbandâ??s death to relaunch her own career; and the soulless, profit-hungry owner of the newspaper, whom Jack once publicly humiliated at a stockholdersâ?? meeting. Following clues from the late rock singerâ??s own music, Jack tries to unravel the lies surrounding… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member nbarth
This summer I read Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen for my summer reading novel. I had already read another novel, Hoot, by the same author when I was much younger and had really enjoyed that one, especially the way in which he described the Florida Everglades and the sleepy Florida town that the story
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took place in. Due to this previous experience with the author I knew that I enjoyed reading his style, and I also knew from his list of published works in Hoot that he had written a string of other more adult novels out.
One afternoon I was going through my father’s bookshelf when I found the worn paperback novel tucked away among some of his other books. I was immediately drawn to it by the cover, which depicted a small graphic of a semi-nude woman being eaten by a large red snake (this turned out to be the tattoo on the murdered rockstar’s chest). I turned the book over to read the back and found out that it was a) a murder mystery about the death of a rockstar which is super cool, b) that it was written from the perspective of disgruntled journalist that was demoted for some reason, and c) that it all took place in South Florida.
I hadn’t read a good mystery book in a while so I was really excited about that before I even started reading the book. Another reason as to why I was excited to read it was that it was about journalism which is something that I really enjoy. Finally, my last reason is because it was taking place in South Florida and I knew from my previous experience with the author that he could create great description for that setting.
The things that I just listed above allowed me to enter the book with a great excitement for it, and I had only read the back cover. The first thing that I noticed was that Carl Hiaasen is pretty funny as a writer, maybe that was because being a teenage boy makes me partial to dry and dirty humor, I don’t know. All that I do know was that I found the crude references and swear words extremely humorous, and that is something that I look for in a book. I want a book that is going to make me laugh and enjoy myself when I read it, and Basket Case certainly delivered in that category.
I also really enjoyed the way that he made the murder and the entire plot so believable. It just shows that the guy really did his research to get all of the legal stuff correct. It also showed that he really went over his story several times because there were no contradictions of details or slip ups that can derail even the best murder mystery novels. When I was reading the novel I couldn’t help but think that I was reading something out of C.S.I. Miami, except that the book was better because the characters and the details in the plot and setting were so much richer.
I thought that the way he built up the different characters was amazing. I would say that he only used 5 or so extremely important characters, but it was the way he created the colorful backgrounds of the 20 or so supporting characters and wove them in with tiny little sub plots that made the story so exceptional. However, I can really take my hat off to him for the way he made you feel for every character and how he made you feel like you had known them for your entire life. I was particularly attached to the main character, he was a down on his luck news reporter that was demoted to obituary writing after he stood up to the owner of the multi-million dollar newspaper agency that bought his tiny local paper and turned it into one of the 30 other quality less papers that he already owned. I really felt for this guy because he stood for what I believe in and he striking out with the ladies which is something that anyone will feel for. I also liked the way that he introduced you to the sister of the dead rockstar and created sympathy for her. But what was more interesting was the way in which he made sure the reader kept that sympathy once they found out that she was a web-cam strip teaser so that she could make ends meet.
I thought that the themes he introduced in the book were some that I particularly found meaning in. The big underlining one that I saw was the one that was anti-corporate and pro-local small business, as well as “sticking it to the man”. The main character was also playing a major “underdog” card so that theme was also present. Towards the end of the novel he really hit on the care and compassion that must be shown and practiced towards those that you love and care about which I always find to be important. Also, the main character was facing such long odds to prove that the murder was in fact a murder that it really showed the ideas of perseverance and determination.
Finally, the newspaper aspect of the novel was awesome (it turns out that Carl Hiaasen was a reporter in South Florida). He really made it realistic and incredibly fun to read for me because I could relate with the main character and the other people working at the paper. This was one of the aspects that contributed greatly to my enjoyment of the novel, along with the wonderful setting of a paradise gone bad that he created.
This was one of my favorite books ever and I am looking forwards to reading more by him. I also really recommend this book for some lazy summer afternoon, because reading it in the winter would be torture. All in all, this was a great book and I am so happy that I found it because I enjoyed it so much. I also feel that the messages that I drew from this book have affected my life and in the way that I look at the world around me.
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LibraryThing member elonole
When the lead singer of a band dies under questionable circumstances an ostracized obit. reporter picks up the story and runs... straight into trouble.

I have a ton of Hiaasen books in the catalog (hey it was easy) and yes I've read them all, but start with this one. If it entertains you... read on.
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I'd suggest Sick Puppy and so forth. rs
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LibraryThing member bastet
As a former newspaper reporter, I can only saw that Hiaasen has everything down perfectly, from the grumbling obit writer to the ditzy young editor. This truly is a fine book, way better than anything in the murder genre, and a rare find.
LibraryThing member terrybanker
Great use of music to set tone, environment, and character.

Weak, weak, weak climax. The reader knows someone will die and they do, but they do not die as an authentic result of the protagonist's actions.

3 1/2 stars.
LibraryThing member emily.steed
This was different from other Hiaasen novels in that there really wasn't an environmental story to tell. It was another Florida novel, but it was about the music business and the newspaper business rather than evil developers trying to build somewhere that something is endangered and people being
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killed to cover it up or whatever. Hiaasen also writes (wrote?) a newspaper column, so I think it's an arena he's quite familiar with. That being said, I think it's a little on the icky side that the protagonist hooks up with his editor, who is 20+ years younger than him (he's something like 5 years younger than her father) as it strikes me as the way an older man who has fantasies about having sex with young women would write. Somehow I felt more of the author's presence in the story but not in a good way. It was still an enjoyable read. It would make a good airplane book.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
This book doesn't have some of the absurdity of Hiaasen's other novels, but it was quite good. The relationships are all very believable, and I ended up liking Jack quite a bit. The conclusion of the mystery is also quite satisfying.
LibraryThing member tubegrrl
A great introduction to the very funny, Florida-focused Carl Hiassen. sort of a murder mystery, but with an intrepid journalist as hero. Very funny and snarky, with some truly inspired (and exciting) scenes of mayhem, death and destruction. Self Defense via Frozen Giant Lizard...this scene will
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make you sorry you didn't pee before reading ;-)
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LibraryThing member verenka
This was my first Hiaasen, recommended to me by Amberkatze and HallCaine. Despite the size it was a quick read, because of the pace and because it kept me wondering what would happen next. I figured out for myself why Jimmy Stoma had to die but I still wanted to know how it all would pan out. I
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agree with HallCaine, it's a light read and not profound. I didn't like the predictability of the love story either. But altogether it was very much what I expected for a quick summer mystery.
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LibraryThing member andyray
I just read this book and one week later or so, i cannot remember anything about it. this tells me while CH forced me to read through it, and I probably enjoyed it, there wasn't any character or happening in it that i thought pertinent enough to remember. in other words, taint classical writings.
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Rechecking my library synopsis, it is aboiut a lifelong reporter with a rebellious streaK, AND IF I COULD NOT REMEMBER THAT, IT SURELY is pure entertainment.
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LibraryThing member DanaJean
This was my first visit into the world of Carl Hiaasen. The writing was good, but the story started slow for me. It was just sort of ho-huming along, trying its damnedest to put me to sleep.

Jack Tagger is a veteran newspaper man shuffled to the obit pages by an owner that despises him because of a
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very public confrontation that happens at a stockholder meeting. But Jack hangs in there just to spite the guy. When a rock star from yesteryear dies, Jack is determined to write him a first-rate obituary. While interviewing the various players, he realizes there was something way more sinister in his death.

The action and story pick up the last 150 pages or so and hooked me to the end. Although I had most of the little twists and turns figured out before they were revealed, I really enjoyed seeing the story unravel to its finish.

I'm definitely going to put another Hiaasen in my TBR pile.
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LibraryThing member hoot
Another Carl Hiaasen review! This time a novel about a dead as a doorknob rocker Jimmy Stoma of the world famous band "Slut Puppies".

Obit reporter Jack Tagger would love an opportunity to revive his once respected front page reporter status. After messing up a case in a major way and causing
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humiliation to the newspaper he was thrown into Obits. After his move he became obsessed with death and dying, to the point of driving away the love of his life.

When Jack comes across the obit for Jimmy Stoma he is taken back to the days when he was a big fan of the Slut Puppies. Unfortunately, not many people even remember the band, let alone care about the lead singer kicking the bucket. Jack finds the circumstances of Jimmy Stoma's demise to be wildly suspicious and twists his boss' arm into letting him investigate it further.

The story twists and turns from there. Jack finds himself interested in someone he never thought his candle would burn for. He also finds himself shocked at the news of his former loves engagement, to a real cheesy doodle nonetheless. He also finds out sinister answers to the questions surrounding Jimmy Stoma's death.

Check this book out. I liked it just as much as I liked Skinny Dip. Well written, thoroughly engaging, this book is a must!
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LibraryThing member Djupstrom
I first discovered Carl Hiaasen as an adolescent lit author, but he is even better with a little sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll in the mix! Very fun book!
LibraryThing member madamejeanie
When Jimmy Stoma, former lead singer of the now-defunct 1970s rock band
Jimmy Stoma and the Slut Puppies, dies in a diving accident in the
Bahamas, no one raises an eyebrow except Jack Tagger, the obit writer at
the Union-Register, a small south Florida daily newspaper. Something
just doesn't smell
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right to Jack, who wasn't always just an obit writer.
Once upon a time he had been a crackerjack reporter, putting his
byline on the front page on a regular basis, until he'd had that
unfortunate run-in with his new boss and called him a slimy little
gut-crawling weasel right there in the middle of a stock holders
meeting. Now he was doomed to forever write obituaries of
semi-interesting people and to be obsessed with death.

Jimmy's death and the utter lack of sadness on the part of his pretty
young widow, Cleo Rio (the one hit wonder who's fading fast on the
charts and in the hearts of her fans) makes Jack wonder what's going on,
but it's when the rest of the Slut Puppies start dying that he begins to
catch on to what's happening.

Like the other Hiaasen books, this one is absolutely delightful,
skillfully written with humor and finesse, introducing characters that
jump of the page and come to life. This can't really be classes as a
mystery because the culprit is revealed early on, but it's all about the
build up to the finish with Hiaasen. You just can't wait to see the bad
guys (and gals) get theirs in the end. There's places where I laughed
out loud (gosh, I love doing that when reading a good book! LOL) and
the finish of this one was satisfying enough.
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LibraryThing member mahallett
good character and romance. stupid, good-humoured mystery.
LibraryThing member JoshH1
Basket Case is about an obituary writer from Florida, Jack Tagger. He is always trying to hit it big by writing an obituary of a famous person. He finally finds a sort-of famous person to write an obituary about, rock star Jimmy Stomarti. Jimmy died mysteriously in the Bahamas and Jack has been
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assigned to write his obituary. Jack soon gets into this Jimmy cover-up consiracy through his interviews. Jack then has to fight for his life from those responsible for murdering Jimmy.
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LibraryThing member MeditationesMartini
One of the really unfortunate, awkward things about the writer's craft, especially if you're talkin' genre fiction, is that as you get older, more magisterial, learn to temper the excesses of youth with a perfect patina of worldly savour and killing details--as, in other words, you get better and
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better at what you do, you're also steadily losing touch with the popular-culture cushion on which your genre narrative floats. This book is almost perfect, but whenever it needs mentions music, movies, anything computer-related or anyone under 30, dude, it is grim. Like, there is no excuse for mentioning the Wallflowers in any novel ever.
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LibraryThing member miketroll
This was my second Hiaasen novel after Stormy Weather. I enjoyed both enormously. He is a wonderfully entertaining and funny writer. I plan to read the rest of his works as soon as possible.
LibraryThing member jacki
Funny, easy read. Not as good as Harlen Coben, but would read others by author.
LibraryThing member SimonW11
Lately I have been reading a lot of books that compared their author To Hiaasen. Upon reading this I could see why. It is not as bloody as the pretenders itand moves along well. I gather though that it is not typical being written in the first person and lacking the nature despoiled theme of most
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of his other books.
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LibraryThing member jennyo
Hiaasen is a hoot. He's put environmental issues on the back burner for this book. Instead, he goes after media moguls who're destroying newspapers by selling out to advertisers and dumping reporters who cover "real" news. Jack Tagger is a reporter assigned to the obit page after ticking off the
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owner of the paper. When one of his rock star idols dies in a scuba diving accident, Jack's investigative instinct kicks in. As usual in a Hiaasen book, things work out for the best in the end, and you'll have lots of laughs along the way.
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LibraryThing member bjkelley
Not sure why, but about 1/2 way through Basket Case, I got bored with it. I finally finished it by reading just a few pages at a time. To me, the story was boring. I'll just have to mark this one down as my least favorite Hiaasen book.
LibraryThing member jepeters333
Jack Tagger, former investigative journalist is reduced to writing obituaries, until he uncovers foul play surrounding a death.
LibraryThing member Brian55
Very entertaining. Hiaasen has many plot twists and turns. Not one of those stories that leave you till the last two pages and drop all the answers on you. He wraps the secondary plot nicely as well. I enjoy his slightly twisted dry humor.
LibraryThing member susandennis
Disclaimer: I really really really like Carl Hiaasen's books. But, this one, I REALLY liked. Most of his stories take nearly too whacky turns but this one stayed within more credible bounds. Jack Tagger is a crusty, nearly defrocked newspaper reporter. He's been relegated to the obit desk and so is
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one of the first to learn of a rock semi-star's death. And, he's the first one to suspect the incident was not the accident that everyone believed.
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LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
What can you say about a romantic hero that has a collection of skulls that he can juggle? He chases the bad guys and keeps his love interest safe as he goes along on her wild & dangerous adventures.....

Pages

336

ISBN

0375411070 / 9780375411076
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