Who is the author who wrote quirky mystery novels that, often as not, took place in the Florida backwoods and had weird characters? One involved a woman who was a professional mermaid entertainer.
Carl Hiaasen maybe? Or Tim Dorsey?
Carl Hiaasen?
One of my favorite fun read guys, is Carl. That’s who jumped into mind when I read the OP. Dave Barry has also written quirky Forida mysteries (or is that mystery?) and he says he wished to write a Haaisen.
The professional mermaid worked at a third rate amusement park that included a very rape-y dolphin. And also big game hunters.
Oh yeah, the name of the book with the mermaid and rape-y dolphin is Native Tongue.
I forget which of his books that was, but yes, that was Carl Hiassen.
Tim Dorsey has a new book coming out in January, BTW.
I immediately thought of Hiaasen.
Of course, John D. McDonald’s Travis McGee mysteries are mostly in Florida, as are Donald Sobol’s Encyclopedia Brown stories.
…here I was excited to finally be able to answer one of these. I was going to say Carl Hiaasen.
slinks away depressed
Encyclopedia Brown was set in Florida? I thought it was generic small town USA.
Maybe Serge and Coleman could take care of Bugs Meany once and for all.
Hey, could it be Carl Hiaasen?
+1
I never knew those books were set in Florida. A quick search indicates the town was Idaville, FL.
right behind you…
Ok…I cheered myself up a bit…
Because I remembered that I’m Dave Barry’s idol. I know this because he autographed my copy of “I’ll Mature When I’m Dead”
Carl Hiaasen also cowrote Seminole Bingo with Warren Zevon.
Maximum Bob had a major (as in title) character (although not actually the protagonist) who was a philandering judge married to a former mermaid at the Weeki Wachee Springs.
He was created by the late (as in his RIP thread is still on page one of the forum) Elmore Leonard.
Other people took characters from that attraction? Huh.
So I guess we are pretty sure it wasn’t Rex Stout?
I want to see Skink take Bugs Meany to one of his Everglades hideouts, tie him to a tree, and philosophize at him.
Well, it is a real attraction