SKINNY DIP

Joey Perrone’s husband throws her over the side of a ship on their anniversary cruise, but unfortunately for Chaz, she survives by clinging to a bale of Jamaican pot. Rather than reporting him, Joey stays hidden and, with the help of her rescuer, Mick, looks for an explanation for Chaz’s antipathy, as well as punishing him with taunts and tricks. Stephen Hoye enhances the hilarity and charm of the story, especially Hiaasen’s eye for offbeat details. Each character is colorful--the hairy bodyguard with a late-blooming conscience has a gravelly voice with a hint of bafflement; the transplanted Minnesota policeman is characterized by a slightly flattened accent. Hoye’s voice has just the right amount of irreverence combined with impeccable, unrushed pacing. Vastly entertaining. A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 04]