Basket Case (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard)

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 Jacks dreams—if only he can figure out what happened.

Standing in the way are (among others) his ambitious young editor, who hasnt yet fired anyone but plans to “break her cherry” on Jack; the rock stars pop-singer widow, whos using the occasion of her husbands death to re-launch 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 singers music, Jack ultimately unravels Jimmy Stomas 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 Taggers motto—and its more than enough to guarantee a wickedly funny, brilliantly entertaining novel from Carl Hiaasen.

Jack Tagger’s years in exile at the obituaries desk of a South Florida daily haven’t dulled his investigative reporter’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 one—if only he can figure out what really happened. Standing in his way are, just for starters, 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. Following clues from the late rock singer’s own music, Jack tries to unravel the lies surrounding Jimmy Stoma’s strange fate.

Carl Hiaasen was born and raised in Florida. He is the author of eight previous novels, including Sick Puppy, Lucky You, and Stormy Weather. He also writes a twice-weekly metropolitan column for the Miami Herald.