There aren’t many modern-day humorists working today who are as purely gifted and talented as Dave Barry. This man is capable of so many laugh-out-loud moments in everything he writes (and I read his column each month in Funny Times). If you are looking to be cheered up or simply feel good about life again, you cannot go wrong picking up his latest comic novel, SWAMP STORY.

Barry’s story is completely ridiculous. As a transplanted Floridian by way of New York City, I can honestly say that he has his finger on the pulse of all the craziness that has put Florida Man and the Skunk Ape on any map featuring the Sunshine State. He is such a funny writer that it’s easy to forget that he also wrote a series of Peter Pan novels with Ridley Pearson, including PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS, which was turned into a hit Broadway musical.

"All stories will converge in a hilarious and unexpected climax that only the warped brain of Dave Barry could conceive. Whether you live in Florida, love visiting the state, or just enjoy reading about its absurd characters, SWAMP STORY is the book for you!"

SWAMP STORY is from a completely different slice of life. As the title and smiling gator on the cover would indicate, it is set in the Everglades and features a cast of characters that would make Governor Ron DeSantis wince. Barry’s dedication appropriately reads: This book is dedicated to the state of Florida, which has its flaws, but which is never, ever boring. Very well said, take it from me.

Jesse Braddock and her infant daughter, Willa, are stuck in a seedy cabin deep in the Everglades on what is supposed to be a getaway vacation. She is accompanied by the baby daddy, Slater, and his stoner buddy Kark. The place is an absolute disaster as evidenced by the scary fact that Jesse and Willa are nearly eaten by a giant python, and she simply cannot get away fast enough.

That is, until Jesse goes on a private excursion in the surrounding area and comes upon what appears to be a cache of gold. Whether it was left there by ancient pirates or a more modern gift-giver, this could be Jesse’s ticket out of there. The only problem is that this discovery was witnessed by the Campbell brothers, the scary and creepy Duck and Billy. They have been seeking lost treasure there for quite some time and do not plan to let Jesse get away clean, nor do they want to share her latest find.

Barry has packed his book with bizarre and eccentric characters resembling something from a Carl Hiaasen novel or Coen Brothers film. Sharing the storyline with Jesse is the unemployed, alcoholic newspaperman Phil Teagler. He is so desperate for money that he and his friend, Stu, book themselves as entertainment for a children’s party dressed as Dora the Explorer and Elsa from Frozen. This stint does not go well for them. The only saving grace is when the shape of Phil’s Dora head is noticed by Ken Bortle. Ken and his brother, Brad, run Bortle Brothers Bait & Beer and are constantly looking for the next get-rich-quick scheme.

Their latest scheme is to have Phil wear a painted-over Dora head and pose as the Everglades Melon Monster, a homage to the melon heads that are popular up north in various states. With properly placed videos, they feel this could be the money maker that will bail all of them out of their financial doldrums. In the hands of Barry, we will quickly see that it is never that easy. But it can be quite humorous!

During all of this mayhem, a new presidential hopeful is down in South Florida beginning his campaign. All stories will converge in a hilarious and unexpected climax that only the warped brain of Dave Barry could conceive. Whether you live in Florida, love visiting the state, or just enjoy reading about its absurd characters, SWAMP STORY is the book for you!