In the quote "Congratulations. A new low." from Carl Hiaasen's book Star Island, the author likely comments on a situation or behavior that has reached an especially negative or disappointing point. The tone suggests irony or criticism, highlighting how something has fallen to a new level of undesirability or moral decline.

This remark can reflect Hiaasen’s style of sharp social commentary, possibly addressing the characters' actions or the overarching themes in the story. It underscores a sense of disappointment or mockery at a situation that has worsened, emphasizing a significant decline or moral lapse in the narrative context.