Hiaasen tells the tale of JoLayne Lucks and her lucky lotto ticket, in another whirlwind adventure tale from the Miami Herald
columnist. The not so fortunate Lucks wins the jackpot but has to share the bounty with two unsavoury characters who have no intention of splitting the prize. The two men in question have started their own militia and have little respect for the law. They soon concoct a devious scheme to become the sole winners. At the same time, a
reporter is sent to investigate the apparent coincidence of a woman named Lucks winning the lottery.
The idiotic militiamen set about gaining the other ticket for themselves, and make a daring robbery. The reporter and Lucks team up to regain the ticket from the hapless villains and this leads to a series of cleverly set up comical situations.
The caper develops at break neck speed, and is riddled with Hiaasen’s trademark wit. The opportunity is taken at every turn to insert the derision of his pet hates. Particular mention must go to his hatred of religious counterfeits and those who profit from others faith, which manifests itself in the oil stain Jesus.
Few writers manage to create such bizarre situation comedy within their stories without seeming contrived and without the
reader being able to see what’s coming. Hiaasen succeeds where others fail in making a genuinely funny book that still presents an intriguing plot littered with his own brand of humour.
This book is aimed at the smirking reader rather than the laugh out loud crowd, but could be enjoyed by both. It is presented in a reader friendly way with handy chapter breaks at intervals in the action, but honestly it’s hard to put down. This one is a real page turner despite the distraction of the humour, another great book by Carl Hiaasen.