The excerpt from "Bad Monkey" by Carl Hiaasen describes a disturbing details about the victim's hand. It mentions that the hand was clenched into a fist, a common sign of pain or tension, but the middle finger was notably stiff and extended, suggesting a possible involuntary or involuted reaction to trauma or death.

This specific detail helps create a vivid picture of a violent or intense scene, emphasizing the unnatural position of the victim's hand. It may imply a specific cause of injury or death, or serve to heighten the reader's sense of unease about the circumstances surrounding the victim.