The Maltese Iguana by Tim Dorsey

May 30, 2023

The Maltese Iguana by Tim Dorsey

Serge A. Storms, serial killer and Florida-phile extreme, and his stoner pal Coleman are back for another adventure, this time weathering the Covid-19 pandemic at Pelican Bay Condos, their retiree condo complex in the Florida Keys. Serge on lockdown is a different type of adventure. Once they are fully vaccinated, Serge and Coleman arrange a bus tour (known as Underbelly Tours) around Florida attractions for their fellow condo dwellers. Meanwhile, the CIA is planning a clandestine operation in South America with some questionable outside contractors. 

This could have been called Spies Like Us, with everyone spying on everyone else and trying to figure out what they're doing. While there are amusing interludes, there's not as much action or adventure as previous Serge novels. Coleman does give a lecture on beginner's marijuana use that is worthy of a college instructor. The Serge novels are definitely Florida Weird, with computer hackers, big box store shopping, a showdown of Siri vs. Alexa, viral videos, pandemic hoarding, mistaken identity, and pop culture reference galore. One of the weaker entries in the series.

BTW, the Maltese iguana is a bong that one of Serge's neighbors bought at the local medial marijuana dispensary, which Serge comes to believe is cursed.

A Florida green iguana - I understand they're considered to be pests

Tropic of Stupid by Tim Dorsey

October 19, 2022

Tropic of Stupid by Tim Dorsey

When the Florida state park system implements a yearly pass program complete with a passport to collect stamps from each park, Floridaphile and history buff Serge A. Storms is compelled to visit all of the state parks with his pal Coleman in order to get his passport stamped. At the same time, Serge decides to trace his family history after watching a late-night commercial for DNA testing and sending a sample off to the ancestry site. He receives several hits for distant cousins and uses their information to conduct more research, setting a goal to make other people happy. When he keeps crossing paths with a Florida Bureau of Investigation agent, he realizes that they are both searching for a serial killer who is related to Serge. Very closely related.

Serge might be a serial killer, but he only kills people who really need killing. He continues his one-man crusade to right the wrongs that persist in the Sunshine State, taking out a robber who preys on senior citizens and a shyster lawyer, among others. Like a noir detective, he lives by his own code of ethics. Also, he finds women who wear plaid shirts to be a turn-on. While this series might not appeal to everyone, I enjoy Dorsey's out-there sense of humor and Serge's creative "science projects."

Jonathan Dickson State Park in Florida (one of 54 state parks)

Mermaid Confidential by Tim Dorsey

October 9, 2022

Mermaid Confidential by Tim Dorsey

Florida's very own wacko historian Serge Storms and his stoner BFF Coleman are once again on the the road, exploring the glories of their fair state. This time, Serge decides it's time for them to investigate that quintessential Florida experience, condo living in the Keys. They find the perfect 1970's condo and quickly meet the neighbors and integrate into the local culture. But when criminals, South American mobsters, and unscrupulous doctors rear their ugly heads. it's up to Serge to right the wrongs for his new friends.

Serge Storms is my favorite anti-hero, living by his own moral code and killing those who really need killing. I enjoy the Serge Storms novels, although I realize they're not for everyone. You don't have to read the books in order, but I would suggest starting with the first two. In this installment, he even explains that the title of a book doesn't really have to have anything to do with the story (and there are no mermaids in this one).

The causeway that connects the Florida Keys

Naked Came the Florida Man by Tim Dorsey

September 4, 2022

Naked Came the Florida Man by Tim Dorsey

Florida's favorite son Serge A. Storms, loveable psychopath and Florida fanatic, and his bestie Coleman are back for another tour of Florida. This time, Serge is taking Coleman on a cemetery tour, visiting the final resting places of famous Floridians including Flipper the dolphin (who was actually a girl dolphin named Mimi) and author Zora Neale Hurston. Other stops include landmark motels and the Golden Corral restaurant (famous for its chocolate fountain). His ultimate destination is the Muck Bowl, a high school football game between rival schools near the sugar cane fields. Other characters are hunting in the same area for buried treasure rumored to have come from a ship that was borne inland during a hurricane. Along the way, Serge finds ways to right wrongs committed against wildlife, senior citizens, and military veterans.

Everyone has heard the news reports that being "Florida man (or woman)..." I have friends who retired to Florida and they tell me that Floridians are pretty crazy. Highly entertaining in a sick way that I enjoy. Serge/Tim Dorsey is a font of Florida trivia. His reverence for vintage Florida motels makes me want to go stay at one.

Vintage Florida motel

When Elves Attack by Tim Dorsey

December 3, 2019

When Elves Attack by Tim Dorsey

It's time for some holiday reading.  This certainly isn't your average Christmas novel, but work with me here.

Florida-phile and loveable psychopath Serge A. Storms goes off his meds once again, just in time for the holidays.  Christmas will never be the same after Serge and his stoner buddy Coleman, the Robin Hood and Merry Man of Florida, decide to go all out with their celebration.  There will be unforgettable presents, a tree with handmade ornaments, outside lighting decorations, caroling through the neighborhood, and lots (and lots) of eggnog.  Serge and Coleman even dress as elves and visit the mall to bring joy to the shoppers. In the spirit of the season, they make sure that Florida's criminals get just the right presents, while ensuring peace on earth and justice for the good people of Tampa.  Old friends including Jim and Martha Davenport, Country and City, and the G-Unit gather together to make the season bright.

Not a lot of plot but entertaining nonetheless.  I enjoy Dorsey's zany sense of humor.  If you liked the movie Bad Santa (one of my favorite holiday movies - none of that Hallmark crap for me), this will be your kind of Christmas story.

Tiger Shrimp Tango by Tim Dorsey

August 28, 2019

Tiger Shrimp Tango by Tim Dorsey

After watching "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective," Florida-phile Serge A. Storms and his druggie sidekick Coleman decide to become private investigators.  They team up with Mahoney, a noir-ish P.I. who specializes in assisting victims of Internet scams, because of course, Florida is the capitol of scam-dom.  When one of Mahoney's clients, an innocent woman named Brooke, is robbed by scammers on the day of her father's funeral (who was himself scammed by those people pretending to be from the IRS), Serge swings into action and dishes out his own brand of Serge-justice to scammers in need of learning how to be nice to other people.  All while taking in the myriad sights of Florida.

This isn't the strongest title in the series, but it is still has a lot of humor, as well as some creative and gruesome executions - Serge's knowledge and use of science is pretty awesome.  Many of the characters from previous titles in the series reappear in this one, including Johnny Vegas, the Accidental Virgin.  Serge is a lovable psychopath who lives by his own strange code of ethics like any good detective (although unlike most noir detectives, Serge does score with the ladies and is highly resourceful when in need of some fast money).  Coleman is along for the ride, always high, and sometimes spouts unexpected wisdom.  Mahoney is a riot - he talks like a detective right out of Mickey Spillane or Raymond Chandler using tough-guy slang that is largely unintelligible, and he refers to himself in the third person.  Tim Dorsey's series is a refreshing change of pace, like mental sorbet when you've been reading too much literary or historical fiction.  Oliver Wyman reads the audio version and does a great job.

Gator a Go Go by Tim Dorsey

July 17, 2019

Gator a Go Go by Tim Dorsey

Serge and Coleman go on a marathon spring break road trip – what more do I need to say? 

Book #12 in the zany Serge Storms series has Serge up to his usual bizarre antics.  When he decides that spring break is the perfect subject for his next documentary, naturally Serge can’t go to just one location, but has to go on a road trip to all of the historic Florida spring break hot spots.  At Panama City Beach, their first stop, Serge encounters Andy McKenna, a college student in the witness protection program.  The problem is, the Florida gangsters who years before were after his father are now after HIM.  Characters from previous novels in the series reappear, including the former owner of the Hammerhead Ranch Motel, a pair of hot women called City and Country, and 40 year old perpetual virgin Johnny Vegas (who despite being handsome, sexy and rich, just can’t seem to score).

I’m not sure why I enjoy this series so much.  Serge is a twisted knight errant who has his own code of ethics which he adheres to faithfully:  punishing jerks in creative and appropriate ways, ignoring laws, protecting the innocent and the victimized, and faithful to his friends, while disregarding social conventions.  In his own way, Serge is a classic noir detective, and I do love noir fiction.  Oliver Wyman reads the audio version and does a great job with Serge, Coleman and Mahoney.