Hammerhead Ranch Motel

I like quirky books. I've listened to all of Christopher Moore's books. The spirit of this book reminded me of Moore. This book had one too many story lines and tried too hard to bring them together. Several of the characters were funny and I was interested to see what happened with them. But then others seemed to just be there for filler. I would try another Tim Dorsey book because this one was close to be really good.

If you're a lover of Tim Dorsey's manic Serge Storms series, it's probably enough to say that you won't be disappointed in this book. It's the second in the series, so you get to see the appearances of some characters that populate the later books, like the lovely ladies City and Country. Serge's sidekick Coleman has not yet been reincarnated (apparently killed in "Florida Roadkill" but there is a not-quite-so-stupid Coleman surrogate, Lenny Lipowicz. I believe this is the first appearance of the "Accidental Virgin" Johnny Vegas, a recurring character in the series.

If you've never read a Serge Storms book, then I have a recommendation for you: don't read this one first. Not because you'd be reading them out of order, that's not too important. I recommend you start with one narrated by Oliver Wyman. Come back to George Wilson once you're firmly hooked.

I've listened to a lot of George Wilson. I spent almost 24 hours with him in "Citizen Soldiers", and thought he was great in "With the Old Breed". What those two books, and many other Wilson narrations, have in common is they are factual narratives. Not too many ways to punch up the Battle of the Bulge.

Serge Storms is a maniacal character. George Wilson's portrayal of this zany character is like Richard Nixon impersonating the watermelon-smashing comedian Gallagher. He just doesn't know how to be crazy. And don't get me started on Wilson's rendition of the various shrieks and yells that litter the text. Or how he "sings" the song lyrics that show up from time-to-time.

Oliver Wyman, on the other hand, is the perfect characterization for Serge, Coleman, Lenny, and all the rest. He must know someone with some serious problems to capture them so well. And he surely has been a witness when someone hit a bong.

So, start with a Wyman story, then maybe mix them up, Wyman, Wilson, Wyman, Wilson ... I believe they each did about the same number of Audible's productions, so it will even out in the end.

By the way, if you're a fellow Floridian you'll recognize many of the places Serge describes in this series of books. When I was a kid we traveled all over the northeast part of the state, as that's where our relatives lived. Along the way we'd stop at Weeki Wachee Springs, the Alligator Farm, Saint Augustine, some old pirate bar whose name I forgot, and many, many more. They're all real, and Serge knows every detail of their histories. Some fun!

Serge, all about Serge

The storm, how they weathered the storm with a movie about a storm

Has to be Serge, too funny

Serge, of course.......would be great conversation

wild ride, but super fun

Time Dorsey does it again....writes a very good book featuring a very odd man and it works! Florida must be a nutty state - too many good books have been written which depicts the state as such.