Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip, London: Black Swan, 2005

This lightweight frivolous novel centres around an implausible heroine called Joey who is rich, clever, and beautiful, yet aggressive like a man. She lacks any softness or femininity and is written as a sportswoman and swimming champion. This last accounts for her surviving when her husband, Chaz, throws her off a cruise ship on their first anniversary cruise. However, he doesn't know she has survived.

The plot is farcical and contains some stereotypes, such as the thick thug, Tool, who has a soft side, and has Joey fortuitously meet an ex-detective, Mick. Inevitably they become lovers and he is able to help her to get revenge. The thug comes around to their point of view, simple beast that he is. Hiaasen takes the ridiculing of Joey's treachorous husband to a level reminiscent of Tom Sharpe's writing. There are some funny images but it is unsurprising, an acceptable summer read.

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