Squeeze Me: A novel [B1342]

2020 HCDJ. "If you could use some wild escapism right now, Hiaasen is your guy." -Janet Maslin, NYT. From the author of Skinny Dip and Razor Girl, a hilarious, New York Times best-selling novel of social and political intrigues, set against the glittering backdrop of Florida's gold coast. It's the height of the Palm Beach charity ball season: for every disease or cause, there's a reason for the local luminaries to eat (minimally), drink (maximally), and be seen. But when a prominent high-society dowager suddenly vanishes during a swank gala, and is later found dead in a concrete grave, panic and chaos erupt. Kiki Pew was notable not just for her wealth and her jewels--she was an ardent fan of the Winter White House resident just down the road, and a founding member of the POTUSSIES, a group of women dedicated to supporting their President. Never one to miss an opportunity to play to his base, the President immediately declares that Kiki was the victim of rampaging immigrant hordes. This, it turns out, is far from the truth. The truth might just lie in the middle of the highway, where a bizarre discovery brings the First Lady's motorcade to a grinding halt (followed by some grinding between the First Lady and a love-struck Secret Service agent). Enter Angie Armstrong, wildlife wrangler extraordinaire, who arrives at her own conclusions after she is summoned to the posh island to deal with a mysterious and impolite influx of huge, hungry pythons . . . Carl Hiaasen can brighten even the darkest of days and Squeeze Me is pure, unadulterated Hiaasen. Irreverent, ingenious, and highly entertaining, Squeeze Me perfectly captures the absurdity of our times.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "My first Hiaasen book. Very entertaining. Easy read with colorful, humorous characters. The digs on the current political administration are hilarious. If you are very squeamish about snakes this could be a tough read for you. While this is obvious fiction the story line is plausible . . well most of it anyway."; "Always a safe laugh with Hiaasen. And bonus, this one is an unsubtle jab at the fool in charge. Win-win."; "Overall, this was a fun read, but Hiaasen is definitely an author who, for me, can best be appreciated in doses that are adequately spaced apart."; "I laughed out loud. The book is a wonderful spoof on the current occupant of the WH and his sycophants embedded in a good story."