Basket Case

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: George Newbern

Once a hotshot investigative reporter, Jack Tagger now bangs out obituaries for a South Florida daily, "plotting to resurrect my newspaper career by yoking my byline to some famous stiff". Jimmy Stoma, the infamous front man of Jimmy and the Slut Puppies, dead in a fishy-smelling scuba "accident", might be the stiff of Jack’s dreams - if only he can figure out what happened.

Standing in the way are (among others) his ambitious young editor, who hasn’t yet fired anyone but plans to "break her cherry" on Jack; the rock star’s pop-singer widow, who’s using the occasion of her husband’s death to relaunch her own career; and the soulless, profit-hungry owner of the newspaper, whom Jack once publicly humiliated at a stockholders’ meeting.

With clues from the dead rock singer’s music, Jack ultimately unravels Jimmy Stoma’s strange fate - in a hilariously hard-won triumph for muckraking journalism, and for the death-obsessed obituary writer himself.

"Always be halfway prepared" is Jack Tagger’s motto - and it’s more than enough to guarantee a wickedly funny, brilliantly entertaining novel from Carl Hiaasen.

©2002 Carl Hiaasen; 2013 Random House Audio

Too wordy

Carl Hiassen, based on some of his earlier novels, is a favorite of mine. Unfortunately, this one just seemed to drag, and a lot of the humor seemed forced. He has certaimly done better.

Love this author

Carl Hiaasen never disappoints and George Newbern was an excellent reader. I’m ready to download another Hiaasen book.

Another fun Florida story

The characters were fun, the store was interesting. A rock stars death, a mysterious circumstances that the other band members start dying.

Great Hiasson

Hiasson at his outrageously imiginative Floridian best. George Newbern is a terrific reader who is a perfect translator for Hiasson's laconic and incredibly humorous skepticism. BRAVO!
Warmest sympathy to Mr. Hiasson for his recent loss.

Wonderful

A unique voice by both author and narrator. Enjoyable. Not to be missed. Laugh out loud funny and heart aching.

Another Great Carl Hiaasen Listen

I really enjoyed this book, but it took a little bit to get into it. Although Carl Hiaasen‘s humor is there, it’s not quite as crazy as say, Squeeze Me.
Overall, both my husband and I really enjoyed it and thought the narrator was very good. There is still a lot of humor and we chuckled often-it’s just not quite as bitingly satirical as some of his others. Fun, plot line, and as always, a very satisfying ending.

Carl Hiassen is the best!

And George Newbern did a magnificent job delivering it. thank-you to both. I always think as I start a new book by Mr. Hiassen that THIS time I will be just a tad disappointed, you know just because ' how can he keep delivering fresh meaty stories?". but each time he does. wow!

Virtue Wins

Love Hiasson because the good guys usually win (or are, at least, vindicated) and the bad guys get their "come-uppins". Simplistic reason, perhaps, but I fantasize about our country's real-life villains getting the Hiasson treatment. If only!

The Narrator Ruins the Experience

Summation: Save your credits for one of the many better narrated Carl Hiaasen titles!

I truly enjoy Carl Hiaasen‘a books and so I am trying very hard to not think less of a great story because the narrator sucked out loud. He narrated Sick Puppy too, and I know I LOVE that story, but it was painful for me to finish it because this narrator is so ill suited for the CH storylines and style.
I am sure he is a perfectly lovely narrator otherwise, but he was simply annoying in this particular role. His intonation is too high and bright and also somehow monotone; he may be much better suited for something like children’s literature.

I usually get through a CH book in less than two days and this one I kept putting off listening to, not finishing it for more than a month… so far…

It’s a bummer, because I am certain it could be as good as Skinny Dip or Skin Tight if only it had a different narrator.

Fun story, great narration

I love Carl Hiaasen and this didn't disappoint. Great narration too. George Newbern did a great job with it.