Hurricane Punch

By: Tim Dorsey

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

Welcome to another typical summer in Florida, the season of the storms. Serge Storms.

Serial killer Serge A. Storms, that loveable, under-under-medicated dispenser of truth, justice, and trivia is back with a vengeance. And not a weirdness-laced moment too soon.

His cherished home state is about to take a beating, and from far more than the way-too-routine conga line of hurricanes bearing down on the peninsula. Corpses have begun turning up at a disturbing rate, even for Florida, and it looks like a brutal serial killer is on the loose. Serge vows to stop at nothing in his campaign to make All Things Right - unless if he gets bored or distracted by a cool souvenir or a whatever.

But his path won't be obstacle free.

Agent Mahoney has picked up the scent. The obsessive criminal profiler is convinced there is no second killer. Then there's Coleman, whose triathlete approach to the sport of polyabuse binging just might derail the mission more than the entire police community put together. The pace picks up. Winds howl, TV reporters fly around the beach, and questions mount: Who's stalking Tampa Bay's most sensitive journalist? Do multiple orgasms improve storm tracking? Why is the feeding-tube guy so quiet? All of which ultimately leads to the most pressing question on everyone's new-millennium lips: What would Serge do?

Listen to the sequel, Atomic Lobster.

©2007 by Tim Dorsey (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"As Serge evades law enforcement and perennial nemesis Agent Mahoney, his latest road trip allows him to skewer everything from President Bush to fast food establishments, with particular emphasis given to the foibles of the media (newspapers) for which Dorsey once worked." (Publishers Weekly)

Nuther okay book by Dorsey

First of all, the annoying surfer music has to go. What was the publisher thinking?!?! If you are out of Hiaasen books to read/listen to, might as well try this one. One problem I have is that this book wraps up rather quickly and not one of the best tied together packages I have encountered. It isn't nearly as good as Florida Roadkill, but worth the read.

Oliver hasn't found his Surge voice yet!

Since I started on the later books in this series Oliver Wyman was for me "Surge". When I went back to the beginning books I had a hard time adjusting to the narrator.
So imagine my surprise in these first few books with Oliver as the narrator and its not the voice of Surge yet!
But hang in there, better voices/narration to come!
As for the story, not the best of Dorsey's but not the worst. Quite a few laughs and WTF's?!?!? Hard to get into at first but overall pretty good tale in the life and times of our favorite psycho!

Surge, storm chaser!!!

If you could sum up Hurricane Punch in three words, what would they be?

Stormy weather!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hurricane Punch?

When the eyes of two hurricanes crossed. Surge playing Jumpin Jack Flash!!!

Have you listened to any of Oliver Wyman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Well, here's the thing.....never listened to this guy before, and was disappointed when I saw that George Wilson was not doing this one. But after listening to the full novel, Mr Wyman did a very good job!

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

laugh out loud!!

Dorsey dies it again

The Serge saga is awesome. Dorsey's thought process continues to amaze me as the laughs keep coming. Only minus was the narrator....this is the first book I wasn't overly satisfied with the narration but still thoroughly enjoyed the book!

Fun story, Poor narration. UPDATE.

Below is my original review, This first part is an update. I listened to the next book in in the series in a friend's car on a trip. I am done, Oliver Wyman's performance and characterizations are just plain bad. I may try again, but I doubt it.

This is a bit long-winded, sorry in advance. There are many reviews here that declare the narration job by Oliver Wyman is quite poor, Is it because they (and me, as well) felt that George Wilson was so good reading the prior 8 books? Probably. He is very good, in general, and I have listened to many of his other works. Is it because Wyman is objectively bad at it? Hard to say, I have no prior experience with him. Having a picture in my mind of the characters matched with Wilson's portrayal over the prior books, it was certainly jarring to hear such a distinctly "different" voice and style. I am not a fan of Wyman's performance here on Hurricane Punch, but I suspect other's who have never taken in Wilson's portrayal of The Serge Storms Universe, might have a different opinion. The overall ratings of the prior and subsequent books do not seem to be affected, overall, by Wyman's performances. For my part, I finished the book, but I am tempted to not continue with the series, due to my inability to warm up to his style. Too many other outstanding narrators out there, performing fantastic works, all queued up in my wish list. Everyone has their own favorite narrators (anything read by John Lee), and it can make a big difference. Sometimes it needs time to grow on you. When I started on The Strain series, I absolutely loved Ron Perlman's narration in Book 1. In Book 2, Daniel Oreskes took over, and I was none to happy about it. However, after getting into it, I warmed up to his style, and enjoyed both The Fall and The Night Eternal. Who knows, in a year, maybe I will jump back in.

Saddened by the change in narrator

I'm so confused. I love the Serge A. Storms series. I love George K. Wilson narration. I love Tim Dorsey's writing. I have nothing against this new narrator. But Serge is 44 not 12. I can't tell (from the narration) where one person changes to another person because there is no variation in the voices. They all sound the same. He makes Serge sound like a 12 year old having a tantrum. I have never returned a title. I bought 2 of these at the same time, not realizing that the narrator had changed. I've tried pretending that i hear the real Serge's voice in my head (that would be GKW's narration) but it just isn't there. This person, while i don't have anything personal against him, i think his voice would be better suited to young adult. Not a gruff, happy, delusional 44 year old Serge. I've been trying so very hard to listen, i'm on chapter 2, but it's been several days. And i'm still on chapter 2. Saddened by the change in narrator. I'm finding it difficult to stay focused. I listen every day. I value my credits. I buy more than the 24 a year. Please do the series over. I want to hear the end of the story. But i might actually have to buy the book in paper form to complete it. I'm actually considering returning this and the next one in the series. I don't think i've ever done that before. HarperAudio! Tim Dorsey! what were you thinking?

really really.bad narration

loved the guy did the previous.books. this kid is way too young. bring back Wilson!!!

Tim Dorsey NEVER disappoints

Tim Dorsey is pure gold. In Serge Storm he gives us a insane criminal genius that you just have to love. The stories are riveting and replete with comedy and suspense. Dorsey’s knowledge of the world and especially Florida is astounding.
The entire Serge Storm series is brilliant. Each book stands alone and/or perfectly blends into the rest. Each book is simply outstanding.
I must say that I do miss George Wilson as the narrator. I love George Wilson’s style. Oliver Wyman is a bit lack-luster and sounds too much like Joe Pesci for my taste. The story, however, makes up for what Oliver Wyman lacks.

what the f#@& did i just listen to?!?

I started with book 9 in the series with no previous exposure to Dorseys writing (Im a fan of Oliver Wyman) so maby im just missing something a long term fan would know.
this whole story reads like some mutant offspring of thr TV shows Dexter, Rick & Morty, and Animaniacs. Only with somehow LESS seriousness or sanity. It's by no means *Bad* In fact i may listen to another of these someday. It's just REALY WIERD...

Narrater was a bad choice

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I listened to the book because Serge Storms is a train wreck that you just have to see. This is book 9 of the Serge Sorms series that I've listened to and it is destroyed by the new narrator. Who the f*** decided that George Wilson shouldn't finish the series? I hope he didn't die because I appreciate his other work. Was he to expensive for the corporate weinies. Who ever is responsible for this travisty can go to an apartment with Serge.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Oliver Wyman?

The original Geoge Wilson. What the hell are you people thinking? Did anybody listen to the the great performance by George Wilson before have that screeching sorry excuse for a narrator replace him. He tris different voices but Serge and Coleman sound the same. Serge always comes off as mad but those who listen to the series know that is bulls....

Any additional comments?

BRING BACK GEORGE WILSON. I WOULD PAY FOR THE BOOKS ALL OVER AGAIN TO HERE IT FROM THE MASTER.