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Florida Hustle
In 1980s Florida, an aspiring filmmaker, obsessed with a B-movie scream queen, flees his family’s Palm Beach mansion, teams up with an aging con man and his ambitious girlfriend and heads to a film set in the Everglades, only to find himself mired in a swamp of competing cons and hustles.
“…Relentlessly clever plot… It’s an antic, very Floridian tale, populated with larger-than-life characters and full of Carl Hiaasen–style dry humor and Elmore Leonard–style sharp descriptions. The characters all have penchants for funny one-liners, and a kind of zany logic binds their very strange separate worlds. Wilborn packs a lot of fun and human insight into a slim number of pages. An irrepressible Florida frolic filled with lost dreams, forlorn love, and horror movie lore.”
-- Kirkus, starred review
“…Relentlessly clever plot… It’s an antic, very Floridian tale, populated with larger-than-life characters and full of Carl Hiaasen–style dry humor and Elmore Leonard–style sharp descriptions. The characters all have penchants for funny one-liners, and a kind of zany logic binds their very strange separate worlds. Wilborn packs a lot of fun and human insight into a slim number of pages. An irrepressible Florida frolic filled with lost dreams, forlorn love, and horror movie lore.”
-- Kirkus, starred review
- GenresFiction
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2022
23 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 14, 2022
I read an advance copy because I'm assisting with Paul's kickoff event sponsored by St. Petersburg's Tombolo Books tonight.
This book was not what I expected. I thought it would be a snarky, light-hearted romp a la Hiaasen and Dorsey. It's not This is a full-bodied road novel, witth characters who are not caricatures.
They all have their own tragic pasts that they're dealing with, foremost among them the main character of Michael. An obsessive horror fan and a neglected rich kid from Palm Beach, he's still coping with his mother's suicide. His storyboards for proposed slasher flicks all feature a scene that's reminiscent of what happened to his mom, although he apparently doesn't see it. His fave scream queen, whom he has been sending easily misunderstood letters, is filming a slasher flick in the Everglades, and he's determined to meet her in person.
The scream queen fears he's a violent stalker, and her concerns get back to Michael's father, who arranges for him to be taken to a place called Palm Haven for rest and rehab (at least until the movie is finished shooting). Michael, getting wind of what's coming, takes off with a wad of cash and his dad's gold card.
He happens to land at a seedy West Palm motel, where he falls in with glib con man Cavanaugh Reilly and his heroin-addicted streetwalker lady friend, Lola Famosa. Lola's determined to be a big success in the world of pyramid marketing schemes a la "Dare to be Great," while Cavanaugh's looking for a pigeon just like Michael to bankroll his own desires for good food, strong drink and a smooth ride.
The trio's travels take them through a quaint 1980s Florida landscape, when the state on the verge of a big, destructive boom. Wilborn has put in one real-life Florida roadside attraction from those days, the Cypress Knee Museum, although he's fictionalized the owner.
There's a subplot involving Cavanaugh's long-lost daughter and an inept private eye who's been hired to track Michael down, but their interactions seem improbable compared to the rest of the action. Ditto the other subplot involving the hapless redneck security guards hired to protect the movie set from the "dangerous" stalker.
Cavanaugh Reilly is the breakout star of this saga, a man with the gift of gab who narrates his own suicide attempt by singing show tunes. This is Wilborn's first novel -- is it too much to hope his second will include more of the life of Reilly?
This book was not what I expected. I thought it would be a snarky, light-hearted romp a la Hiaasen and Dorsey. It's not This is a full-bodied road novel, witth characters who are not caricatures.
They all have their own tragic pasts that they're dealing with, foremost among them the main character of Michael. An obsessive horror fan and a neglected rich kid from Palm Beach, he's still coping with his mother's suicide. His storyboards for proposed slasher flicks all feature a scene that's reminiscent of what happened to his mom, although he apparently doesn't see it. His fave scream queen, whom he has been sending easily misunderstood letters, is filming a slasher flick in the Everglades, and he's determined to meet her in person.
The scream queen fears he's a violent stalker, and her concerns get back to Michael's father, who arranges for him to be taken to a place called Palm Haven for rest and rehab (at least until the movie is finished shooting). Michael, getting wind of what's coming, takes off with a wad of cash and his dad's gold card.
He happens to land at a seedy West Palm motel, where he falls in with glib con man Cavanaugh Reilly and his heroin-addicted streetwalker lady friend, Lola Famosa. Lola's determined to be a big success in the world of pyramid marketing schemes a la "Dare to be Great," while Cavanaugh's looking for a pigeon just like Michael to bankroll his own desires for good food, strong drink and a smooth ride.
The trio's travels take them through a quaint 1980s Florida landscape, when the state on the verge of a big, destructive boom. Wilborn has put in one real-life Florida roadside attraction from those days, the Cypress Knee Museum, although he's fictionalized the owner.
There's a subplot involving Cavanaugh's long-lost daughter and an inept private eye who's been hired to track Michael down, but their interactions seem improbable compared to the rest of the action. Ditto the other subplot involving the hapless redneck security guards hired to protect the movie set from the "dangerous" stalker.
Cavanaugh Reilly is the breakout star of this saga, a man with the gift of gab who narrates his own suicide attempt by singing show tunes. This is Wilborn's first novel -- is it too much to hope his second will include more of the life of Reilly?
November 7, 2023
Michael Donnelly has been through a lot for only being seventeen years old. His mother committed suicide and his father is acting like it is business as usual. Michael and his mother, Crystal, shared an affinity for movies and with her passing he has become obsessed with B-movie horror films. In fact, there is one scream queen he has his eye on and hopes to convince her to star in a movie of his own making. Unfortunately, things go awry when he quickly finds himself in hot water at home and eventually mixed up with a conman and his gal pal. Florida Hustle gives a fun 1980’s adventure through the titular state, but sadly fails to capture the hearts of its readers.
Michael may live in a mansion, but his rich upbringing hasn’t brought him happiness. He’s gotten himself carried away in the making of a horror movie that has his room covered in killer plans that his father, Alex, mistakes for a cause for concern. Worried that Michael has something sinister planned, Alex arranges for his sons to be taken to a local psychiatric facility for some therapy. However, that goal goes awry when Michael finds out beforehand and escapes to a local motel – in hopes of absconding and making it to actress Dawn Karston in order to convince her to star in his film. On the lamb, Michael has a chance encounter with con-artist Cavanaugh Reilly. Cavanaugh is able to convince innocent Michael that he is willing to help him meet up with Dawn and all he needs to do is purchase a car using the cash and gold card that he stole off his father. While awaiting their escape, Cavanaugh’s gal pal Lola Fernandez Famosa (yes, that’s her name) shows up on his doorstep out of her mind from drugs. Therefore, after some time to recover, the trio head out on the road. This is where the story becomes a bit hard to turn pages as chapters swaps back and forth from Michael, Cavanaugh and Lola’s road trip to Dawn’s on-set concerns for her safety to a bit of familial drama on Cavanaugh’s end.
Author Paul Wilborn clearly knows the state of Florida and some fun places to highlight as he is a former Tampa Tribune reporter; however, the plot of Florida Hustle is hard invest in. Alex is intent on having Michael locked up for his own safety. Why hasn’t Alex sat down with his son though and had a heart-to-heart talk? I get Alex is more corporate tycoon than father figure, but if he had such a deep concern for his child, one would imagine there would be a conversation and maybe a few appointments to a therapist before calling in a psychiatric facility to wrap his kid up in a white coat and carry him off. Plus, Cavanaugh is equally as self-absorbed as Michael’s father – clearly with his own agenda. Michael may be naïve since he’s spent his entire life home schooled, but can he really be so blind that he agrees to dole out money hand over fist for the help of a guy whom he met at a seedy motel? Add in Cavanaugh’s daughter showing up mid escape and there is just too much happening all at once.
For those that live in Florida, you might find it fun to read about the places that Michael and his posse make it to and out of; however, Florida Hustle really lacks an investible plot and characters. If you’re looking for an 80’s set adventure filled with real fun and characters that give you real feels, check out the film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Michael may live in a mansion, but his rich upbringing hasn’t brought him happiness. He’s gotten himself carried away in the making of a horror movie that has his room covered in killer plans that his father, Alex, mistakes for a cause for concern. Worried that Michael has something sinister planned, Alex arranges for his sons to be taken to a local psychiatric facility for some therapy. However, that goal goes awry when Michael finds out beforehand and escapes to a local motel – in hopes of absconding and making it to actress Dawn Karston in order to convince her to star in his film. On the lamb, Michael has a chance encounter with con-artist Cavanaugh Reilly. Cavanaugh is able to convince innocent Michael that he is willing to help him meet up with Dawn and all he needs to do is purchase a car using the cash and gold card that he stole off his father. While awaiting their escape, Cavanaugh’s gal pal Lola Fernandez Famosa (yes, that’s her name) shows up on his doorstep out of her mind from drugs. Therefore, after some time to recover, the trio head out on the road. This is where the story becomes a bit hard to turn pages as chapters swaps back and forth from Michael, Cavanaugh and Lola’s road trip to Dawn’s on-set concerns for her safety to a bit of familial drama on Cavanaugh’s end.
Author Paul Wilborn clearly knows the state of Florida and some fun places to highlight as he is a former Tampa Tribune reporter; however, the plot of Florida Hustle is hard invest in. Alex is intent on having Michael locked up for his own safety. Why hasn’t Alex sat down with his son though and had a heart-to-heart talk? I get Alex is more corporate tycoon than father figure, but if he had such a deep concern for his child, one would imagine there would be a conversation and maybe a few appointments to a therapist before calling in a psychiatric facility to wrap his kid up in a white coat and carry him off. Plus, Cavanaugh is equally as self-absorbed as Michael’s father – clearly with his own agenda. Michael may be naïve since he’s spent his entire life home schooled, but can he really be so blind that he agrees to dole out money hand over fist for the help of a guy whom he met at a seedy motel? Add in Cavanaugh’s daughter showing up mid escape and there is just too much happening all at once.
For those that live in Florida, you might find it fun to read about the places that Michael and his posse make it to and out of; however, Florida Hustle really lacks an investible plot and characters. If you’re looking for an 80’s set adventure filled with real fun and characters that give you real feels, check out the film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
November 10, 2024
I have met Paul (and his talented wife Eugenie) a few times at my friend Harriett's parties and told Paul last time I saw them I looked forward to reading his book. Wilborn is a terrific writer and was a passionate journalist in the Tampa Bay Area for years writing for the Tampa Tribune and St Pete Times. I used to enjoy reading his articles. Florida Hustle is a very accurate look at West Palm Beach in the 1980s. We see the town and nearby Everglades area through the eyes of a fascinating 17 year old protagonist Michael-an agnst filled aspiring filmmaker who is obsessed with a horror scream queen movie star and determined to meet her when she shoots a new horror film outside of West Palm Beach in the Everglades. Wilborn creates a clever plot full of fresh twists and interesting characters. There is poignancy and suspense and a wickedly funny sub-text. West Palm Beach is a terrific town. Full of beauty and old Florida charm. It's much more than that as this wonderful novel reaffirms. This is one of the best portrayals of Florida in fiction I've read. I just wrote to Paul letting him know how much I enjoyed his novel! Highly recommended.
February 3, 2026
I LOVE this book. The story is light and fun but interesting. More than that, though, is the writing. Paul is my perfect author. He paces the story very well with it being interesting but not chaotic (you know the ones, where you are confused and whiplashed most of the time). It's descriptive where it lures you in and paints the perfect image without being overdone or boring. The story is alluring but not outlandish. I just love it and can only hope he's somewhere creating his next book for me to enjoy. I am reading Florida fiction books which is why this ended up in my hands. Somehow I have found my ideal author.
September 28, 2022
I was a bit apprehensive about this one as it starts out like a story of South Florida wackos played for laughs, but after checking Craig Pittman's review, I decided to keep reading. Paul Wilborn makes his characters multidimensional and soon has you rooting for them instead of looking down on them. There's Michael, a socially inept Palm Beach rich kid still hurting from his mother's suicide while imagining himself directing horror movies starring his crush, B (or perhaps C) movie actress, Dawn. He gains a sidekick, Cavanaugh, an accomplished con artist who sees Michael as a golden ticket, and Cavanaugh's love interest, Lola, a prostitute/drug addict dreaming of becoming a star in the world of multi-level marketing. They meet at the Blue 'Arlin motel (The Marlin has lost its M) and set out for a road trip into the Everglades to find Dawn filming a movie. Adventures ensue, including a memorable trip to the Cypress Knee Museum.
Set in 1982, the book will provide some nostalgia for those who remember that era in South Florida.
Set in 1982, the book will provide some nostalgia for those who remember that era in South Florida.
July 2, 2022
Florida: As Zany As Ever
Growing up with parents who lived in West Palm Beach in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I travelled the same roads doing some crazy things just like Micheal and his merry band. Mr Wilborn really captured the seedy side of Palm Beach as only a native could. This is a must for anyone who desires a rollicking read with a backwater Florida setting…another great chronicle of the zaniness that is Florida.
Growing up with parents who lived in West Palm Beach in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I travelled the same roads doing some crazy things just like Micheal and his merry band. Mr Wilborn really captured the seedy side of Palm Beach as only a native could. This is a must for anyone who desires a rollicking read with a backwater Florida setting…another great chronicle of the zaniness that is Florida.
December 28, 2023
Hugely disappointing and amateurish. The plot was all over the place, the characters cartoonish and cliched, lots of sloppy typesetting issues and glaring typos. Proof that a veteran journalist does not make a good novelist when they have to actually come up with their own story and not just report on news. Definitely not anywhere in the same league as Carl Hiaasen or Randy Wayne White or John D. MacDonald, with whom Wilborn has been compared.
July 14, 2022
He's a fourth-generation Floridian, which explains how he knows so many Florida nut cases. He ties them all together into Palm Beach and Everglades adventures with horror movies, rich and poor, Seminoles, and runaways.
It's a fast moving read with lots of laughs.
It's a fast moving read with lots of laughs.
June 11, 2024
Michael is a horror film addict trying to meet his horror actress fan in the Everglades. To get there he goes on a journey with a vet conman and a serial entrepreneur (whatever it takes).
November 26, 2022
Even though I have zero interest in horror films, I really enjoyed this book. It had the feel of Hiaasen and Dorsey but not as exaggerated or as wacky. A 20 plus year resident of Florida, I appreciated the old Florida references.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews