In 1980s Florida, a radical group called El Fuego begins a violent campaign to dismantle the state’s tourism industry by murdering visitors and publicists. Led by disgruntled newspaper columnist Skip Wiley, the cell uses bizarre methods, such as stuffing victims into suitcases or feeding them to crocodiles, to frighten outsiders away and stop ecological destruction. Former reporter turned private investigator Brian Keyes follows the trail of these eco-terrorists while navigating a landscape of corrupt politicians and incompetent police officers. The plot centers on the tension between unchecked urban development and the dwindling wilderness of the Everglades.
Readers interested in the intersection of dark comedy and environmental activism choose this book for its cynical take on the sunshine state. It appeals to those who enjoy satirical crime fiction where the villains are driven by distorted moral codes rather than simple greed. The audience walks away with an understanding of the historical conflict between Florida's natural preservation and its reliance on commercial growth. It provides a look at how chaotic human behavior disrupts systemic bureaucracy in a setting where the heat and landscape dictate the pace of the action.
- Published
- 1986
- Language
- EN
