Tim Dorsey
The Author's Really Cool Website:
Tim Dorsey
Tim Dorsey is a former Tampa news reporter. He now writes twisted fiction about Florida, insane Florida. Not just what we read in the papers, although that's in the books too, but his protagonist is a certified sociopath.
Serge A. Storms, the most endearing, funniest, superheroist (sometimes he thinks he is one) character in any casual book i've ever read.
It does Mr. Dorsey no good to compare him to Carl Hiassan, he's different from Hiassan because Dorsey's cast of characters show up in every book. Always.
He does not compare to Elmore Leonard, although some dark humor contained in Dorsey's books might strike a Leonard chord.
Serge is a killer. Literally a killer. A killer with an overdeveloped sense of justice and an absolute and insane passion for the state of his birth. He knows Floridians are crazy, he knows he's crazy and he loves all the crazy with a passion that is truly endearing.
He uses no drugs, not even his prescription drugs, sometimes, however, he does check himself into hospital just because he likes to try sanity for a few weeks. It never works out.
He rarely stays under law enforcement's radar, although they never seem to get a grip on who and how his crimes occur. He doesn't profit from any crime. Humanity does, so i suppose in that way he is rather a superhero.
He has a cult following both in the books and in his readers. These are not books you read for profundity or major revelations, they're books you read because we all fantasize about the justice Serge metes out to those who deserve it.
All his murders have an element of torture in them, so many may not like that, but, somehow, the element of torture appeals to a baser nature in all of us. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a torturer of other humans or aniimals get theirs? These murders are gruesome, all of them, they are also funny as hell.
These are books you don't ever read when someone else is trying to sleep in the same bed with you. You won't be able to hold back sniggers, giggles, exclamations or downright laugh out loud outbursts.
The series begins with Florida Roadkill wherein we meet Serge's merry followers, on of which can make a bong out of anything including a roast chicken. We also meet two clueless tourists who are being chased by bad guys that stashed money in their trunk. Serge is also after that money. His stoner friend Coleman (not his real name, but you'll find out why he's "Coleman") the clueless and Sharon, the crack whore.
The books are chocked full of both obscure and fairly commonly known Florida history, as i stated above, Serge Loves his state! He also loves his country, is a huge admirer of the space program (while it existed) and during one memorable shuttle launch perpetrates an amazing and dastardly murder connected directly to the vibrations of the launch.
There are mafiosi, there are old Cubans who ran from Castro's regime the first time, there are younger Cubans who are usually drug runners or scared out of their minds. In one book Serge even gets a wife! That one almost kills him. He's been a secret agent (he's pretending, but no one else is). He's been a guru who keeps telling his followers to GO AWAY! He's delivered a commencement speech at Florida State and, he's much funnier than Dexter ever thought of being, but with a bit of the same attitude towards "bad guys".
The books are mostly written to "stand alone" although it does help to read Florida Roadkill first in order to get a perspective on Serge and indeed on Dorsey himself. After Roadkill, read one or two others, Orange Crush, particularly, then go for Triggerfish Twist. After that, it's a free for all.
At Dorsey's site, you can get a good "feel" for the books and even see what's in Serge's private collection of memorabilia. These are books that will make you laugh with dark humor and allow you some insight into the Floridian mind. Dorsey loves his state, therefore, Serge does too and Serge has Florida history at his fingertips.
If you're looking for a set of books to kick back with a boatdrink and just enjoy, Serge A. Storms and Tim Dorsey deliver. From treasure hunts to "don't screw with the wildlife", you'll be laughing all the way to Tampa.
Here's a handy chronology and suggested order as a guide for reading the books obtained from the author's website:
Publication order (with publication dates) Florida Roadkill (1999), Hammerhead Ranch Motel (2000), Orange Crush (2001), Triggerfish Twist (2002), The Stingray Shuffle (2003), Cadillac Beach (2004), Torpedo Juice (2005), The Big Bamboo (2006), Hurricane Punch (2007), Atomic Lobster (2008), Nuclear Jellyfish (2009), Gator A-Go-Go (2010), Electric Barracuda(2011), When Elves Attack (2011), Pineapple Grenade (2012)
Chronological order (linear story order) Triggerfish Twist, Florida Roadkill, Hammerhead Ranch Motel, The Stingray Shuffle, Orange Crush, Cadillac Beach, Torpedo Juice, The Big Bamboo, Hurricane Punch, Atomic Lobster, Nuclear Jellyfish, Gator A-Go-Go, Electric Barracuda, When Elves Attack, Pineapple Grenade
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