Carl Hiaasen Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Carl Hiaasen books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

If you’ve ever read a Carl Hiaasen book, you already know one thing: no one captures the wild, weird, and wonderful side of Florida quite like he does. Carl Hiaasen isn’t just a writer—he’s a storyteller with a purpose. Born on March 12, 1953, in Plantation, Florida, Hiaasen has lived most of his life in the Sunshine State, and it shows in every page he writes. His novels are full of lush landscapes, quirky characters, and biting wit. But behind the humor, there’s always a message—usually about protecting the land he loves so much.

Hiaasen’s passion for writing started early. He was just six years old when he told his parents he wanted to be a writer. Instead of asking for toys, he begged them for a typewriter. As a child, he filled page after page with stories, many of them about sports. That early dedication turned into a lifelong career.

After earning a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 1974, Carl began working for The Miami Herald. He didn’t just report the news—he dug deep. As part of the investigative team, he uncovered corruption, exposed shady doctors, and challenged powerful figures. His bold, no-nonsense style didn’t always make him popular among politicians, but readers loved him for it. His work in journalism gave him a sharp eye for detail and a strong sense of justice—two qualities that would define his fiction later on.

In the 1980s, Hiaasen made his debut as a novelist with Tourist Season, a darkly funny crime story that mixed mystery with satire. The novel was such a hit that GQ magazine listed it among the ten best destination reads of all time. From there, his career took off. Books like Native Tongue, Stormy Weather, Sick Puppy, and Double Whammy introduced readers to a strange and hilarious version of Florida, where no good deed goes unpunished and no bad guy gets away clean. Over the years, his books have been translated into 29 languages, winning fans across the globe.

What makes Carl Hiaasen’s work so unique is his voice. His writing is sharp, fast-paced, and full of humor—but it’s also deeply rooted in environmentalism. Hiaasen is a passionate conservationist, and his love for Florida’s wetlands, wildlife, and coastlines shines through in every story. Whether it’s a corrupt developer bulldozing a mangrove forest or a crooked politician selling out a nature reserve, Hiaasen’s villains always seem to be doing something harmful to the environment—and his heroes are usually trying to stop them.

Even his young adult novels reflect this. After years of writing for adults, Hiaasen took a surprising turn in 2002 with Hoot, a middle-grade novel about a boy trying to save a group of endangered owls. The book was a hit with kids and adults alike, winning a Newbery Honor and being adapted into a movie. It also sparked a series of YA books including Flush, Scat, and Chomp—each with its own environmental twist.

Carl didn’t plan to become a children’s author. In fact, it was a suggestion from an editor that got him thinking about writing for a younger audience. His stepson and his nieces and nephews were just reaching the age where books started to matter, and Hiaasen thought it would be nice to write something just for them. What started as a family project turned into a whole new chapter in his career.

But his books aren’t the only place where Carl Hiaasen speaks his mind. Since 1985, he’s written a regular column for The Miami Herald. In these pieces, he tackles everything from political scandals to environmental disasters with his signature mix of outrage and humor. Collections of these essays, such as Kick Ass and Paradise Screwed, show the real Florida—full of beauty, madness, and contradictions. Unlike his fiction, the wild events in these columns actually happened. It’s often hard to tell where reality ends and satire begins.

One of the more surprising facts about Carl Hiaasen is that he’s also written song lyrics. Alongside legendary musician Warren Zevon, Hiaasen co-wrote three songs—two of which appear on Zevon’s Mutineer album, and one on My Ride’s Here, which was inspired by Hiaasen’s own novel Basket Case. It’s just one more example of his wide-ranging creativity.

Today, Carl Hiaasen still lives in Florida, still writes his columns, and still creates unforgettable characters. His 2013 novel Bad Monkey—filled with voodoo queens, crooked coroners, and corrupt officials—reminded readers once again that no one does it like Hiaasen. It was described as “a comedic marvel” and “the perfect beach read,” proving that after decades of storytelling, he hasn’t lost his touch.

If you’re looking for books that will make you laugh, make you think, and take you on a wild ride through the underbelly of paradise, then Carl Hiaasen should definitely be on your reading list. His blend of humor, crime, and environmental themes makes him one of America’s most original voices—and one that readers return to again and again.