"The Sunshine State is a paradise of scandals teeming with drifters, deadbeats, and misfits drawn here by some dark primordial calling like demented trout. And you'd be surprised how many of them decide to run for public office" would seem to be a natural fit for Bjelke-Petersen era Queensland, but Carl Hiaasen was talking Florida. He's been working for the Miami Herald since 1976, largely in investigative journalism, concentrating on property development, which is a recurring subject in his fiction.
Hiaasen's career as a novelist began in collaboration with fellow journalist Bill Montalbano before branching out on his own to explore and explode a world of corrupt politicians, greedy businessmen and militant ecologists. He's also ventured into the world of young adult fiction working with the same themes.
For an impression of what's on offer hereabouts, look no further than disclaimers referring to the depiction of aberrant sexual behaviour by bottle-nosed dolphins (Native Tongue), accounts of topless creamed-corn wrestling (Striptease), Double-Jointed Vampire Barbie (Sick Puppy) or the lack of approved dental use for WD-40 (Lucky You).
Fiction with Bill Montalbano:
Powder Burn (1981)
Trap Line (1982)
A Death in China (1984)
Adult Fiction:
Tourist Season (1986)
Double Whammy (1987)
Skin Tight (1989)
Native Tongue (1991)
Striptease (1993)
Stormy Weather (1995)
Lucky You (1997)
Naked Came the Manatee (1998) (Collaboration)
Sick Puppy (2000)
Basket Case (2002)
Skinny Dip (2004)
Nature Girl (2006)
Star Island (2010)
Bad Monkey (2013)