Star Island by Carl Hiaasen (2010, Unabridged, Compact Disc)

Synopsis
Carl Hiaasen focuses his socia- critique lens on the excesses of celebrities in this recklessly clever murder-mystery. Twenty-two-year old rock star Cherry Pye (real name, Cheryl Bunterman) needs a stunt double to trick the press and public into thinking everything is fine while she's really in rehab recovering from her debaucherous lifestyle. But when Ann DeLusia, the double, gets kidnapped by a greedy so-and-so who thinks he's nabbed Cherry, things really get out of hand. Hiaasen loads this entertaining novel--that is in many ways as ridiculous as its spotlit superstar--with over-the-top characterizations and scenarios that will keep readers thoroughly engaged till the satisfying end.

Key Details
Author:	Carl Hiaasen
Language:	English
Publisher:	Random House
Format:	Audio
ISBN-10:	0739385127
ISBN-13:	9780739385128

Additional Details
Narrated by:	Stephen Hoye
Edition Description:	Unabridged

Size
Thickness:	1.2 in
Weight:	9.6 oz

Publisher's Note
Twenty-two-year-old pop star Cherry Pye is attempting a comeback from her latest drug and alcohol disaster. Ann DeLusia is Cherry’s “undercover stunt double,” portraying Cherry whenever the singer is too wasted to go out in public. But, one night, Ann-as-Cherry is mistakenly kidnapped from a South Beach hotel by an obsessed paparazzo named Bang Abbott. Now the challenge for Cherry’s handlers (über–stage mother; horndog record producer; nipped-and-tucked twin publicists; weed-whacker-wielding bodyguard) is to rescue Ann while keeping her existence secret from the public—and from Cherry herself.

A further complication: Ann has had a bewitching encounter with Skink, the unhinged former governor of Florida, and now he’s heading for Miami to find her.

Will Bang achieve his fantasy of a private photo session with Cherry? Will Cherry sober up in time to lip-synch her concert tour? Will Skink track down Ann before Cherry’s posse does?

All will be revealed in Carl Hiaasen’s hilarious spin on life in the celebrity fast lane.


From the Hardcover edition.

Industry Reviews
"In STAR ISLAND, the author and Miami Herald columnist takes aim at American celebrity and paparazzi culture....With its sunny Florida setting, STAR ISLAND could easily be mistaken for a light beach read, but there are serious issues in there...."
(07/27/2010)

"This is classic Hiaasen--demented, hilarious, and utterly over the top." (starred review)
(07/01/2010)

"Hiaasen...is off on another satirical romp, starring a Britney Spears/Lindsay Lohan-like celebrity. Set mostly in Florida, it takes on pop culture, the paparazzi and exploitative stage parents."
(08/03/2010)

"[T]he outlandish events soar on the exuberance of Hiaasen's manic style, a canny blend of lunatic farce and savage satire."
(08/01/2010)