The Riptide Ultra-Glide

A Novel

By: Tim Dorsey

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Welcome to Paradise!

Freshly laid-off Wisconsinites Patrick and Barbara McDougall are going to sunny Florida for a modest romantic vacation. But the motel they picked isn't quite a pastel paradise, and they have to be midwesterners and make the best of a bad situation. Except bad goes to worse, and a string of misfortunes renders them unable to leave the state.

Meanwhile, the next Mexican-American War is being fought, this time in Fort Lauderdale, between the Kentucky mafia and the Oxy cartel over control of the lucrative pain clinic market. Latinos are turning up dead, hillbillies are wandering the beach trampling sand castles, and cops continue arresting doctors wriggling out of office windows.

But it's never really a party until Serge and Coleman arrive. Cruising down U.S. 1, Captain Florida and his perpetually altered sidekick are on a mission to film the best reality show ever!

Back at their motel, the McDougalls are peeking out the curtains. They've become very popular, especially with Serge, who believes he's found the perfect stars for the pilot of his new TV series.

Are the McDougalls safer with Serge or should they take their chances on the mean streets?

Will Coleman get tired of signing autographs?

Can pelicans be used as murder weapons?

Is time running out for our heroes?

And, finally, the question still on everyone's lips: What's up with Florida? Stay tuned for all the answers in...The Riptide Ultra-Glide!

©2013 Tim Dorsey (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

Serge isn't a member of Alvin and the Chipmunks

What made the experience of listening to The Riptide Ultra-Glide the most enjoyable?

Dorsey once again delivers a frightfully realistic tale of the the twisted Fun House that is the State of Florida. A place where only the iced-coffee and water propelled Serge A. Storms inflicts his own delightful vengeance on modern day Carpet Baggers and con men.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Serge...of course.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

This is the first audio book that I've listened to from Dorsey. I've read all of his previous books. I didn't like that Serge had this higher-pitched, somewhat spastic sounding voice. With that said, it did assist in always letting the reader know exactly when Serge was speaking.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Very enjoyable listen, References to places and issues in the State were always dead-on! If you're a Dorsey fan, I strongly recommend it.

Any additional comments?

Once you're able to get past the fact that Serge sounds like Alvin from the Chipmunks, the story is excellent.

what a combination!

What could possibly be more fun than a Tim Dorsey book read by Oliver Wyman? (answer, a Christopher Moore book read by Oliver Wyman, but its a near miss). Dorsey takes his irrepressible Serge through a chase involving two sets of drug dealers, shady pain clinics, Coleman becoming a celebrity, and an unsuspecting couple from Minnesota. Never lose track of even chance characters in a Dorsey novel, because they'll probably be back. I'm particularly fond of his way of retelling, Rasholmon like, the tale from different angles.

Wyman, as always, is a joy. He's like a one man repertory company. He's got a voice (the right voice!) for each character, he never confuses them, or you. I've got a library full of books i wouldn't otherwise read, just because Wyman reads them.

"Rip tide Ultra Glide" ends with Serge racing off with the couple, and you're glad the story hasn't ended , because you know there's another on the way.

Unbelievably Funny

Tim Dorsey comes up with some of the most ridiculous phrases and situations one can imagine. When I first start one of his books, I think 'no, this is just too much' yet if I listen much beyond 15 minutes, I'm hooked! I typically read spy and murder mysteries and Dorsey is a nice switch to lighten up my listens! Give any of his books a go! I do prefer the previous reader. Serge sounded more Serge-like in the earlier books.

Lots of Fun

This is the most fun you can have reading about a serial killer. Serge and Coleman are up to their old tricks showing non-Floridians the "real Florida," including Mac 10's.

Serge is awesome

Fans of Dexter will love Serge Storm. Manic psychopath who targets the guilty. Must read for anyone with a love for Florida. All Serge books should start with the warning 'Serge is a professional psycho with a knack for DIY death traps. Don't try this at home!'

Incontinencies

Who's class is the child in? Wasn't the Dorango towed at the airport? Frustrating incontinencies but otherwise an enjoyable & funny story.

Awesome as always

I own every Surge Storm book and relisten to them all about once a year. Long live Tim Dorsey, Serge and Coleman.

Coleman rules!

Another great one! Can ever get enough of Coleman and surge! Can't wait for the next one. Keep up the great work

Not Surfing

Where does The Riptide Ultra-Glide rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was not what I thought. However, I just picked it out without reading much about the actual storyline. I did like it. I thought it was different, and not the same predictalble storyline. I would reccomend it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Riptide Ultra-Glide?

I couldn't pick one. Just the way the 2 main characters intereacted with each other.

One of Dorsey's BEST!!

Where does The Riptide Ultra-Glide rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of Tim Dorsey's BEST. You gotta love Serge!! Him and Coleman are in great form in this book. Tim Dorsey can do no wrong for me, but this was one of his best. A great RIDE!

What other book might you compare The Riptide Ultra-Glide to and why?

There is no comparision! Fun, Funny, Strange, Horrific, all at the same time.

What about Oliver Wyman’s performance did you like?

Excellent, He IS Serge and Coleman!!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book moved you to laugh and to be sick all at the same time.

Any additional comments?

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! But you have to have a sense of humor!!