If you’re a fan of Carl Hiaasen’s entertaining tales set in the sun-soaked chaos of Florida, you might enjoy discovering other authors who write books in a similar style.
Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen both write stories filled with colorful characters and sharp dialogue.
Leonard’s tales often revolve around quirky criminals and oddball situations. His book “Rum Punch” takes place in Florida (this book was adapted into the movie Jackie Brown by film director Quentin Tarantino).
It follows Jackie Burke, a flight attendant who smuggles cash for a gun runner named Ordell Robbie (in the film, Samuel L. Jackson plays this character). When she gets caught by the feds, Jackie finds herself trapped between the law and her dangerous employer.
Tim Dorsey writes wild, unpredictable Florida crime novels with a heavy dose of dark humor. His book “Florida Roadkill” kicks off the series featuring Serge A. Storms, a law-obsessed, quirky antihero who moves through chaotic adventures with his stoned buddy Coleman.
In this story, a suitcase full of cash sets off a chain of mayhem involving scams, shady characters, and more than a few bizarre twists. If you enjoy Carl Hiaasen’s take on Florida’s weird side, Tim Dorsey offers a similar thrill.
Dave Barry is a humor writer with a knack for blending sharp wit and quirky characters. If you’re a Carl Hiaasen fan, you might enjoy Barry’s novel “Big Trouble.”
The story takes place in Miami and kicks off when a teenager’s school project leads to a wild series of events involving a hitman, a few oddball criminals, and a mysterious case. The chaos spirals into larger-than-life predicaments, but the humor keeps it light.
Barry has a way of turning absurd situations into something laugh-out-loud funny while keeping the pace fast and the story entertaining.
Christopher Moore writes quirky and humorous stories that don’t take themselves too seriously but still manage to pull you in.
One of his standout books, “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal,” imagines what could have happened during the missing years of Jesus’ life.
The story is told through Biff, Jesus’ rowdy best friend, who reveals adventures involving everything from struggling with divine purpose to encountering strange and often hilarious situations. It mixes sharp wit with heart, creating a tale full of absurdity and warmth.
Laurence Shames writes quirky crime novels set in Florida, loaded with offbeat characters and a lot of humor. One of his books, “Florida Straits,” follows Joey Gold, a young mobster from New York who heads to Key West to make a name for himself outside his family’s shadow.
Things don’t go as planned, especially when Joey gets tied up with a con artist and local trouble. The book blends crime and chaos with a laid-back island vibe, making it an easy, fun read for fans of oddball Florida tales like Carl Hiaasen’s.
Janet Evanovich is known for her funny, fast-paced mysteries filled with quirky characters and offbeat situations. One of her popular books, “One for the Money,” follows Stephanie Plum, a down-on-her-luck woman who ends up working as a bounty hunter in Trenton, New Jersey.
Her first assignment puts her on the trail of Joe Morelli, a local cop and her old high school flame, who skipped out on a court date. The story blends humor, danger, and a bit of romance as Stephanie learns how to navigate her chaotic new job.
If you enjoy Carl Hiaasen’s mix of humor and wacky crime stories, Evanovich’s style might feel familiar.
Donald E. Westlake was a master of clever crime stories, often blending humor with sharp twists. One of his standout books is “The Hot Rock,” where a hapless thief named Dortmunder and his crew take on a seemingly simple job—stealing a valuable emerald for a client.
Of course, nothing goes smoothly. Every time they think they’ve got the gem, they lose it in some ridiculous way. The story is packed with mishaps, strange plans, and colorful characters.
Fans of Carl Hiaasen’s quirky criminals and wild schemes might find Dortmunder and his misadventures a perfect fit.
Tom Robbins writes with a quirky, offbeat style that stands out. If you enjoy Carl Hiaasen’s flavor of humor and wild stories, you might like Robbins too.
One of his most famous books, “Still Life with Woodpecker,” explores love and rebellion through the story of a redheaded outlaw and a lovelorn princess who meet in unusual circumstances. Robbins weaves in eccentric characters, odd wisdom, and unexpected twists.
The story even gets into topics like extraterrestrials and the meaning of a can of Camel cigarettes. It’s colorful and unpredictable in the best way.
Carl Reiner was a legendary writer and entertainer with a knack for humor and storytelling that pulls you in. His book, “NNNNN,” is a hilarious and absurd tale about a man who discovers he has a fifth nipple.
The strange discovery sets off a chain of wild events, including secret government experiments and ridiculous conspiracies. Reiner’s wit shines through every page, and the ridiculous premise gives way to laugh-out-loud moments that stick with you.
If you enjoy quirky characters and over-the-top plots, this book might hit the right spot for you.
Steve Hamilton is an author known for his sharp storytelling and memorable characters. One of his standout books is “The Lock Artist.” It tells the story of Michael, a young man who hasn’t spoken a word since a childhood trauma.
What makes Michael special is his uncanny ability to pick any lock, which gets him mixed up in some dangerous situations. The book is fast-paced and has plenty of twists, with Michael’s silent but clever voice carrying the story.
It’s the kind of story where humor and suspense collide in unexpected ways.
John D. MacDonald is known for his crime and suspense novels, often set in Florida, with a style that captures the grit and chaos of those landscapes.
His book “The Deep Blue Good-By” introduces Travis McGee, a rugged and unconventional investigator who operates outside the usual rules.
In this story, McGee searches for treasure that a soldier had hidden before his death, uncovering secrets and crossing paths with dangerous characters.
The blend of Florida’s wild setting and McGee’s sharp, no-nonsense attitude makes this a memorable read for fans of quirky, crime-driven stories.
Randy Wayne White writes thrillers set in Florida, blending suspense with interesting characters and vivid settings. His book “Sanibel Flats” introduces marine biologist and former government agent Doc Ford.
Ford is pulled into a dangerous situation when a friend asks for help finding a boy who disappeared in Central America. The story takes readers from Florida’s coast into a world of political intrigue, betrayal, and action, all while showing the darker sides of paradise.
Fans of Carl Hiaasen will appreciate the Florida backdrop woven with danger and humor.
Thomas Perry is an author known for fast-paced crime novels that combine clever plots with sharp humor. If you enjoy Carl Hiaasen, you might like Perry’s book “Metzger’s Dog.”
This story revolves around a small-time criminal named Chinese Gordon who accidentally steals classified documents during a heist. Instead of returning them, he decides to use them to blackmail the government, triggering chaos.
The book is filled with quirky characters, wild schemes, and plenty of twists, wrapped up in a style that’s both smart and fun. It’s an entertaining ride through crime and absurdity.
Douglas Adams is known for his sharp wit and clever storytelling, packed with absurd twists and quirky characters.
His book, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” starts with an ordinary man, Arthur Dent, who discovers that Earth is about to be destroyed to make way for a galactic highway.
He ends up on a wild journey through space with Ford Prefect, an alien who writes for a guidebook for interstellar travelers. The story is full of bizarre moments, like the depressed robot named Marvin and a spaceship powered by improbability.
It’s funny, unpredictable, and filled with strange details that make the universe feel alive and chaotic.
Chuck Palahniuk writes stories that dive into the chaos and quirks of modern life with sharp, dark humor. One of his books, “Choke,” follows Victor Mancini, a con artist who works at a colonial reenactment village and scams people by pretending to choke in restaurants.
His goal is to support his mother, who is struggling with serious health issues. The book mixes outrageous schemes, strange therapy sessions, and some truly memorable characters. It has that bold, offbeat energy fans of Carl Hiaasen might enjoy.