Doors open at 6pm ET with live music and a cash bar. The program begins at 7pm ET and includes a Q&A and author signing event in the lobby. Each ticket includes a trade hardcover copy of "Fever Beach" ($29.99 value).
The National Writers Series is pleased to present Carl Hiaasen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of "Bad Monkey," in conversation about his new novel, "Fever Beach," which tackles the current chaotic and polarized American culture with two wonderful Hiaasen heroes.

"Fever Beach" begins with an errand that leads—in pure Hiaasen-style—into the depths of Florida at its most Floridian: a sun-soaked bastion of right-wing extremism, white power, greed, and corruption.

The novel begins with Dale Figgo, the only hate-monger ever to be kicked out of the Proud Boys for being too dumb and incompetent. On January 6, 2021, he thought he was defacing a statue of Ulysses S. Grant, but he wound up spreading feces all over a statue of a Civil War Confederate war leader.

Figgo picks up a hitchhiker who needs a ride to the interstate but needs to finish an errand first. His already messy life is about to get more complicated, thanks to two formidable adversaries: Viva Morales, a clever woman recently taken to the cleaners by her ex-husband, and Twilly Spree, who has an anger problem, especially when it comes to those who deface the environment, and way too many inherited millions of dollars.

Viva and Twilly are plunged into a mystery—involving dark money and darker motives—they are determined to solve. They become entangled in a world populated by a billionaire couple with way too much plastic surgery and a secret right-wing agenda and a Congressman who dreams of being America’s most important politician. The only things standing in his way are his love for hookers and young girls, and his total lack of intelligence. Add to the mix a Scandinavian agnostic injured when Figgo thinks he’s a Jewish threat to humanity and runs him over with his car. Hiaasen brilliantly ties them all together and delivers them to their appropriate destiny.

Book Publication Date: May 13, 2025 –Traverse City locals who’d like to read the book in advance of the event can pick up their copy at Horizon Books, beginning May 13th. You can also choose to have the book shipped directly to you with our livestreaming tickets, additional fees apply. Call Horizon Books at 231-946-7290 to check on availability or if you have questions about receiving your featured book.