I love to read fiction based on the locale I'm visiting. My next trip is to So. Florida. Any ideas? I have James Hall on the list already. Light stuff please - I'm going on vacation!

Anything by Carl Hiiasen or L. Shames.

Sorry it's Hiaasen, (I always get that wrong.) Some of his books I have enjoyed are: "Tourist Season" "Stormy Weather" "Lucky You," "Sick Puppy." I also like anything by Laurence Shames.

Any mystery/crime novel by Edna Buchanan. Her books take place in Miami.

Anything by Jane Heller...very light and very funny author who lives in south Florida and bases some of her books in that area. Sis Boom Bah is one example--can't think of the others offhand but I think that they're all available in paperback. Dave Barry's new fiction book is based in Miami--the name escapes me, though.

The latest Dave Barry novel is "Tricky Business", although in my opinion it was more than a little dreary. It seems to be a foray into "serious fiction" and if so, it succeeds.

For my money, Barry's first novel, "Big Trouble" was hilarious and much more enjoyable. The movie they made from it stank, though. The book was much, much better.

Randy Wayne White: The Heat Islands etc. He writes about the Sanibel area primarily. Reminds me of the old John MacDonald Travis McGee series. They are very enjoyable and well written. I love Carl Hiassen and Lawrence Shames also.

Austin,
You're right--Tricky Business was a black comedy of sorts--what made the book funny for me was the constant 'accidents' involving the tv news crews. That whole sub-sub-story line just cracked me up. Still like Dave's non-fiction books better than fiction and his columns most of all. His 'Book of Bad Songs' literally had me crying with laughter the first time I read it. Now I know I'm not alone in my extreme hatred of Paul Anka's 'Having My Baby.' UGH.

Tess, I liked the "Book of Bad Songs" so much that I bought it on tape, which was even better, what with the sound effects such as an angelic choir aaaaahhhh-ing in the background while the narrator apologizes in advance to Neil Diamond fans.

Meanwhile, due to the fact that my parents listen exclusively to one particular oldies station, I've been able to call in and request certain songs, simply to hear exactly how bad they are. Overall, I have to agree with Dave Barry, especially when he proclaims "MacArthur Park" the most hideous song ever written. Definitely worse than "American Pie" which I called and requested simply to note how long that song drones on. Nine and half minutes, by the way, in case you were wondering.

Compass American Guides publishes a book on Florida. It has a lot of history and lore about the state, in addition to travel tips and ideas on what to see and do.