Half-hearted Hiaasen
I read this book and Hiaasen's Sick Puppy back-to-back. The styles are almost like two different writers. This particular book adds nothing to Carl Hiaasen's works that he has not done before. The plot really had some potential, but was never realized. The idea of ruthless lottery winners not being satisfied with winning only half the lottery is not that farfetched. But the characters, in typical Hiaasen style are out there, slightly resembling some people you could find in the real world. The hero and heroin share a strange attraction and team up to recover her stolen ticket from some not-ready-for-primetime militia leaders. In between these characters lie a group of people taking advantage of religious beliefs and so-called miracles. The typical Hiaasen trademarks are in here; something always seems to happen to someone's appendages and there are the cracks on the evil tourist industry in Florida. Unfortunately, the author almost seemed to be writing this half-heartedly. This book is light reading and moves pretty quick but for real humor, you should check out his other books.

But he doesn't.

I'm happy to report that LUCKY YOU is just as good as any of the other Hiaasen books (think SKIN TIGHT or HOOT) and this guy just keeps going like the Energizer bunny.

With the same great writing, style, humor, and insight into the south that are found in Jackson McCrae's books (THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD) Hiaasen gives us a wonderful if not disturbing portrait of the wacky characters that make up the southern-most region of our United States. Few living outside this region will recognize that Hiaasen isn't making this stuff up--for some of us, it's too real!

All I can say is, buy this book and read it. If you're fortunate to, then . . . Lucky you.

The basic plot runs like this a peaceful veterinarian in the town of Grange Florida has just won the lottery 14 million dollars. She is a women and black. Nothing big ever goes on in her quite little town except for the busloads of tourists coming to view the local favored religious shrines.

There would not be story without a conflict which arrives in a pair of two skinheads who just so happen to have the other winning lottery ticket. The two racists steal the ticket and rough her up.

Now she has to get it back, with help from an investigative reporter, a friend in the ATF and a waitress at Hooter's.

My impression-I liked the characters, some of the one-liners are classic. The book would not be as good if the author were not as prolific but mystery writers as a general rule have to be. The book is not without flaws the largest of which is that it is too long in my view but the conclusion does not feel rushed or convenient.

If enjoy a good fun read treat yourself to this

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