Top Literary Landmarks In South Florida
Bahia Mar Marina
801 Seabreeze Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 627-6309
www.facebook.com/BahiaMarYachtingCenter
"The Deep Blue Goodbye" was the first in a 21-book series by famed author John D. MacDonald. Most will recognize MacDonald as the author of "The Executioners," a book which inspired the film, "Cape Fear." His Travis McGee character in "The Deep Blue Goodbye" resided on a houseboat called the Busted Flush and it was docked at slip F-18 at the Bahia Mar Marina in Fort Lauderdale. McGee won the boat in a poker game, hence the name, and it became a staple in the series. The book was published 1964 and in 1990, another famed Florida writer named Carl Hiaasen wrote its foreword.
Star Island
152 Palm Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 299-2617
www.miamibeachfl.gov
Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen is the author of several adult and young adult novels and is for all intents and purposes a living literary legend who still resides in Plantation, Florida. Star Island is his 13th adult novel and follows the story of drug-addicted, fading pop star Cherry Pye. A deranged paparazzo kidnaps her body double, assuming that he captured her, and now demands a private photo shoot on Star Island with troubled star. Unfortunately for Cherry, her handlers lie and tell her it's a Vanity Fair shoot so they can concoct a kidnapping story as a publicity stunt to regain her once untarnished status. Star Island in reality is the former home to basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal and is accessible via the MacArthur Causeway in Miami Beach, FL.
The Miami-Dade Police Department
9105 N.W. 25 St.
Doral, FL 33172
(305) 471-1780
www.miamidade.gov
Most are familiar with the Michael C. Hall Showtime show "Dexter," which was supposed to be based in Miami, but was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, CA instead. The book series began with "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" by Jeff Lindsay and followed forensic blood splatter pattern analyst for the Miami-Dade Police Department and secret serial killer, Dexter Morgan, as he rationalized his homicidal tendencies as altruistic because he murdered other serial killers. The book is the first in a seven-series set and the Miami Dade Police Department's name was changed to the Miami Metro Police Department for the Showtime series.
Stiltsville
Biscayne Bay
Miami, FL
www.nps.gov
Stiltsville is located in Biscayne Bay and features seven houses built upon stilts in the open water. It has been featured in two books, "Skin Tight" by Carl Hiassen and "Done Deal" by Les Standiford. In "Skin Tight," retired investigator for the Florida State Attorney's Office, Mick Stranahan owns a home in Stiltsville. Fraudulent Bal Harbour plastic surgeon Rudy Graveline hires a mob hit man to kill Stranahan, but Stranahan kills the hit man at his home and sends his body out to sea. Stranahan's character also reappears in Hiaasen's book, "Skinny Dip." Currently, the National Park Service owns Stiltsville and tourists are not allowed to enter.
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
1601 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 350-7700
https://www.miamichamber.com/
In "Tourist Season," another Carl Hiaasen book, B.D. "Sparky" Harper is the first murder victim in the book. He works for the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and was killed by vigilante newspaper columnist Skip Wiley to dissuade tourists from visiting Florida and ruining its natural resources. In reality, the Miami Chamber of Commerce is a hub for local businesses and a great way for them to market their respective establishments. Local business are welcome to pay a fee to join.
Related: Top Spots To Read Your Book With Coffee In South Florida
Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
