Mrs. Starch mysteriously disappears on a field trip to Black Vine Swamp after a fire cuts the trip short. Everyone suspects Smoke, a troubled youth, of setting the fire but Nick and his friend Marta think something fishy is going on. As they investigate the arson, they discover a quirky environmentalist, a couple of shady oilmen, and an endangered panther and her cub. Meanwhile, Nick is dealing with the return of his beloved father from Iraq, who has had his right arm amputated.
The premise is familiar from Hoot and Flush; plucky teenagers battling greedy adults that are destroying Florida’s environment. But Hiaasen weaves his stories so well that it is still a pleasure to revisit this theme. The fully realized characters, with all of their strengths and weaknesses, come alive in the pages as they strive to make sense of life’s ups and downs. There is enough tension (criminal acts and coming face to face with a panther) and humor (a bird that speaks three languages) to keep most readers turning the pages until the very satisfying conclusion.
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