Book Review: Big Trouble

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Big Trouble     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Dave Barry
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Putnam, Sep 1999, $23.95, 255 pp.

One unwritten rule of the Cosmos is that it takes nanoseconds for a perfectly normal suburb to go insane. In Coconut Grove, Florida, high school student Matt Arnold accompanied by his classmate Andrew has been assigned to “kill” Jenny Herk, a fellow student at Southeast High, with his Toys-R-Us SquirtMaster Model 9000. At the same time the two teens stalk the Herk home, Jenny watches TV with her mother while Nina the maid rejects the advances of Jenny’s obnoxious stepfather, Arthur. Watching the advancing Andrew and Matt is the homeless Puggy who plans to secretly spend the night in the Herk treehouse.

As the teens crept closer to their target, Penultimate, Inc. of Miami has “subcontracted” for the specialized services of two New Jersey pros (Henry and Leonard) to really murder Arthur. The company is noted for its strict discipline and Arthur embezzled funds to pay off a gambling debt. In front of a witness, the two pairs of hitmen begin their assault proving once again that chaos theory works faster than the speed of light. This is the opening gamut on headline news.

BIG TROUBLE is a very humorous tale that centers on the zany actions and eccentricities of a not so endearing ensemble cast. The satirical story line is fast-paced, but in a Keystone Cops sort of way. Dave Barry Fans and anyone who relishes a jocular twisted tale will want to read BIG TROUBLE. In his first novel, the renowned humorist proves his talent adapts well to a big book format as he writes a very funny thrashing of South Florida.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner