Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen elicits praise for its entertaining storytelling and vibrant characters typical of Hiaasen's signature style. Critics appreciate the humor and satirical elements but note a predictable plot and uneven pacing. While engaging, some readers find character depth lacking, yet the novel's wit and environmental themes resonate well.

Readers who enjoy witty crime novels blending humor and environmental themes, similar to Elmore Leonard's Rum Punch or Tim Dorsey's Florida Roadkill, will relish Carl Hiaasen's Bad Monkey. This book appeals to those who appreciate satirical takes on corruption and quirky, memorable characters.

In Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen, a former Miami detective is demoted to a morgue inspector in the Florida Keys. He becomes embroiled in a mysterious case involving a severed arm, uncovering a trail of greed and corruption. The narrative involves colorful characters, including a bad-tempered monkey, as unexpected twists unfold in a quirky Floridian setting.

Humorous / Mysterious / Adventurous / Dark / Suspenseful

- Bad Monkey features a memorable cast of eccentric characters, a hallmark of Carl Hiaasen's work, who often reflect elements of Florida's eclectic population and unique environment.
- Carl Hiaasen, a Florida native and long-time journalist, often uses his novels, including Bad Monkey, to highlight and satirize environmental and political issues affecting his home state.
- In addition to being a novelist, Carl Hiaasen has contributed significantly to investigative journalism; his work at the Miami Herald has influenced his fiction writing, imbuing it with authenticity and a sharp comedic edge.

**Andrew Yancy**  
A 42-year-old former Miami detective who, after being demoted to restaurant inspector in the Florida Keys, navigates a world of moral and systemic corruption while trying to reclaim his detective badge.

**Dr. Rosa Campesino**  
Miami’s Assistant Coroner and Yancy’s partner in both romance and investigation, she provides a grounding influence on Yancy’s impulsive nature and shares in the adventurous pursuit of justice.

**Nick Stripling**  
The heavyset owner of a fraudulent Medicare company, he orchestrates an elaborate scheme to escape prosecution, marked by extreme and ruthless measures to protect himself.

**Eve Stripling**  
Nick’s wife and accomplice in the plot to stage Nick’s death for insurance money, whose initial loyalty gives way to questioning their ethically fraught partnership.

**Neville Stafford**  
A 64-year-old Bahamian fisherman deeply connected to his land and heritage, who faces pressure from powerful outsiders trying to dispossess him of his ancestral property.

**Bonnie Witt/Plover Chase**  
A trophy wife with a criminal past, she balances infidelity and a search for excitement with her tumultuous relationship with Yancy.

**Evan Shook**  
A real estate investor who exemplifies the development-driven exploitation of the Florida Keys, lacking any true attachment to the community or environment.

**Sonny Summers**  
The Monroe County sheriff whose focus on preserving the area’s tourist-friendly image creates tension with effective law enforcement.

**The Dragon Queen**  
A voodoo practitioner on Andros Island whose ominous reputation and unpredictability make her a formidable figure amidst the island's intrigue.

Carl Hiaasen

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