As a Floridian, it is always fun for me to read stories that give me a glimpse of places I know and have been to. Tim Dorsey's characters not only live here, but Serge Storms is fanatical about Florida's history, the flora and fauna, and every little thing that a Florida insider would learn from growing up here - and then some. It's like a wild and rollicking travelogue that just happens to take place in Florida.

The Serge Storms books are a lovely mix of Carl Hiiasen and Jeff Lindsay - unique comedy, lots of action, adventure and a lovable 'serial killer' - although I'm not sure Serge really qualifies as a serial killer.

Serge A. Storms was my favorite, although I liked most of the characters. Mr. Dorsey is able to give you a really good snapshot of his character in a few, well-chosen words. I even liked the unlikeable ones.

There is SO much going on in this book: the banking and insurance systems, exploitation of senior citizens, the World Series, Florida travel, the cocaine cartels, etc., etc., it would take a lot longer than I have to choose just one tag line.

I love the way Mr. Dorsey takes such diverse characters - each with their own story and scenario - and weaves and weaves and brings them all together at the end of the book in such a way that you can't imagine how they might have avoided being caught up in the action. It's really a gift and must require a LOT of work on the author's part.

I heard great things about Dorsey's books and started with this one which left me disappointed. So many characters are introduced for no apparent reason, a long series of disjointed and implausible plot lines, and the humor fell flat for me at least. Part of this could be due to poor narration (or perhaps poor editing). One can hear the narrator taking long breaths, clearing his throat, (maybe sipping on a drink?) etc and the reading is flat. But I'm willing to give this author a second chance and have already begun another more recent work with a different narrator. I like the concept and the Florida setting. Who knows? Maybe the series gets better.

Absolutely a book that makes you think. I like this book very much. An author that truly understands that life does have a "gray area".

I wasn't at the edge of my seat, but I was pleasantly surprised about the angles the author took. This book thinks outside of the box. I found a book that sees Florida as I see it. No offense, but the state of Florida is definitely "special" to put it mildly.

I was able to identify each character. Everyone had an identity. Very well done.

No extreme reaction, But totally worth the listen and the credit. I am not easily amused nor am I ever startled or surprised but anyone's behavior, but this book made me laugh and had me raising my eyebrows. Very well done.

When in the military awaiting for a plane to take us home from a deployment in England I rand across this book in the day room. Took it to my room and started, couldn't put it down. This book, the actual written book, is 100 miles an hour. The audio version, the same writing being told to you, isn't quit the speed for some reason. Don't confuse that with poor or not worthy though. This is a wonderful listen that will have you laughing and wondering. I have now read eight Dorsey books and rate this one number two behind Triggerfish Twist. These Dorsey books are best described as Pulp Fiction style and are certainly worth every penny you will pay to get them.

Yes. The moving from subject to subject is wonderful and keeps you wondering when you will find out what happened at so and so point.

Actually, I was a little disappointed in the presentation, but it wasn't terrible. The Oliver Wyman performed Dorsey books are better in this regard.

Laugh your ass off.

Listen to it, then get the others.

This story is full of disjointed stories of horrible people, with absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

Dorsey gives you all the info in the first chapter then reveals it for it's full potential when you least expect it. It is not for the faint of heart it gets gory and twisted but fun to pass the hours. His location descriptions are so accurate, one would think he lived in each spot. lots of fun

they were all deep and well developed - it is a difficult choice.

his characterizations bring personality to each person in the book. the added depth help me to get lost in the story

No, I looked forward to having the story unfold every day

Yes, this book is hilarious. there are so many twists and turns and the characters have depth that is surprising considering the sheer number of characters. i have this book in paperback, on my nook and through audible. if i need a lift, i just plug into serge's crazy life.

the plot is twisted and suprising. its hard to know whats going to happen next and who's gonna

Coleman....dude...

serge storms.....hero.....or sociopath? hard to say

1) I started the series by listening to the most recently published book first (When Elves Attack). I enjoyed that one so much I decided to start the series at the beginning and follow it through. I knew from Audible and other places on the net, that the chronology of the books is different than the publication order. However, the author intends the books to be read in the order they have been published. This book happens after When Elves Attack.
2) The author has me thoroughly convinced that anyone who was born and raised in southern Florida is either a lunatic, a homicidal maniac, or at least very different than us "regular" people ... LOL!
3) Other comments refer to Hiassen -- and how similar they are. Well, my "mini research" showed that the first book for both writers came out in 1999. No way could one have copied the other. Maybe Florida really IS as crazy as these two writers apparently indicate (I've not read or listened to any of Hiassen's books yet).
4) Having noted that the first Serge A. Storms novel has a 1999 copyright -- and it happens before the newest novel (and FLORIDA ROADKILL mentions 1997 as the year the Marlins won the World Series) -- I have a minor picayune problem. In When Elves Attack, Serge used Facebook to find some friends he hadn't seen in a while. Um ... no Facebook in 1997. But that is just being picky and I know it.
5) There are lots of deaths in the book. Some "inventive" (making me wonder about authors giving ideas to the public). And I must have missed something because one of the murderers (yep, Serge isn't the only serial or cereal killer in the book) goes after two guys and I'm still not sure why he did it. So, I I would really have to know someone before I could "safely" recommend the book ... I don't want to give anyone any of these ideas.
5b) The author is "scary" if he is inventing all these inventive ways of committing murder; or he has amassed a huge collection of weird and bizarre news reports and then I wonder how he has time to actually write if he is spending time creating that file of info.
6) And one of the characters that end up dying in the course of the story ... well, I wish that person hadn't died. And I got really bummed out when that happened toward the end of the book. And that has kept me from getting the next book in the series (and it continues this particular story and the chase for the suitcase of money) ... I think I need a bit of time to mourn that passing of that character before moving on. Though I plan to move on to the next book.
7) It is that one death that actually made me pull back from a full 5 star rating for the book.
I dunno -- Serge is a "real character" -- weird in his own way. But he is sort of like Stephanie Plum to me -- she is an interesting character in her own way, but what makes those novels interesting and fun and keeps me coming back for the next one in the series -- well, it's all those other characters that surround her at work, in life and the FTAs she is tracking down. Serge is okay, but it is the other characters that keep me listening to the book, and planning to indulge in the entire series very soon, more than Serge himself.
8) The book is full of strange characters, fun Florida history and trivia. My hubby's parents were snowbirds to Florida for a number of years and we went down there for our honeymoon. So, some of the places mentioned are places I was slightly familiar with. I mentioned them to my husband and he could tell me stories that could almost rival some of the strangest moments in this novel. The history and trivia and weird "other" characters -- yeh, I'll be traveling through Florida with Serge and if you can read the ingenious murder plots without "getting ideas" -- I think you just might enjoy the ride too.

Yes, while it's a bit darker than Hiaasen, it's just as funny, with that twist added to it!

Most all of Carl Hiaasen's books, same type of humor

The parade, I think, or maybe the launch!

$5 million, the world series, and a rocket launch!

So glad I found Tim Dorsey. Was missing new material from Carl Hiaasen, but Dorsey fills that space quite well.

My first Dorsey novel. Definitely a Hiaasen wannabe, with mixed results. The characters are truly hate-able in a delightful way. Imagery is terrific. Tarantino-esque. Inventive and very funny overall.

But there's no real story or underlying point. Hiaasen's formula includes 2 elements missing here: an underdog to root for and an overarching point about society.

Dorsey is just pulp. But it's really a lot of fun. I'll listen to another one.

Reviewer below states that the two writers are contemporaries, which is just plain wrong. Hiaasen's books predate Dorsey by at least a decade.