The Stingray Shuffle

By: Tim Dorsey

Narrated by: George K. Wilson

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

In his latest bizarre concoction, Dorsey picks up - sort of - various plot strands from his earlier books, including Florida Roadkill, Hammerhead Ranch Motel, and Orange Crush. There's still the matter, you see, of the briefcase full of cash, and still unresolved are the stories of Serge Storms, the serial killer and history buff; Johnny Vegas, the startlingly handsome virgin; Jethro Maddox, the Hemingway look-alike; and Paul, the Passive-Aggressive Private Eye. Fans of Dorsey's magnificently off-kilter adventures will be thrilled to rejoin these characters and to meet a host of new ones, including Mr. Granda, the leader of a down-and-out drug cartel who is looking to buy a submarine, and Ralph Krunkleton, one of America's very worst novelists, whose novel The Stingray Shuffle features prominently in the goings-on. A brilliantly constructed romp that is part thriller, part farce, and entirely, gloriously, deliriously wacky.

©2003 Tim Dorsey (P)2011 Recorded Books,LLC

Why Serge Wanted the Money

There are three types of audiobooks that I find appealing: 1. Books I've read in print that I love and want to revisit in audio; 2. Movies I love and want to hear in their original literary versions; 3. Books that are fun. Stingray Shuffle falls into the latter category, a virtually can't-miss category because the main criterion is simply that they are fun. And Stingray Shuffle is most definitely fun.

A reliable sub-genre of fun books are comic crime capers set in Florida. The author I've read a lot of, widely known, is Carl Hiaasen. Tim Dorsey, lesser known, is Hiaasen on steroids. Or drugs, more generically. Stingray Shuffle completes a series of three books that began with Dorsey's first two, Florida Roadkill and Hammerhead Ranch Hotel, in which his omnipresent protagonist, Serge Storms, pursues a cache of $5 million cash. In Stingray Shuffle, we find out why he wants the money.

Serge Storms, what a creation! A chemically unbalanced sociopath with an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Florida, a fairly righteous moral compass, and a knack for creative killings. Serge gets to go on a number of rants in each book, whether in court defending himself or in the car telling stories or recounting Florida history. George Wilson captures his manic voice perfectly -- for me, having read Roadkill and Hammerhead Ranch in print, I can say unequivocally that Wilson's Serge is far better in audio.

Despite Serge's overriding and sometimes overbearing presence, the beauty of Dorsey's books (like Hiaasen's) is the diverse spectrum of characters. Stingray Shuffle does not disappoint with its hypnotist, book club ladies, bad author, bumbling cartel thugs, and the return of Johnny Vegas, reluctant virgin. As good as he is as Serge, Wilson does a great job with all these characters. He is a prolific audiobook narrator, including many of Dorsey's as well as many of Hiaasen's titles.

If you're new to this genre, you might be better off starting with Hiaasen or one of the other notable Florida authors (John D. MacDonald or Dave Barry, for example) and move on to Dorsey when you want to take it to the limit. He is definitely farther out there than the Dry Tortugas (which figure into the climax of his first novel, Florida Roadkill). But if you think you can handle something this extreme, go for it, it's a hoot. Fun.

Dexter vs. Serge

I hear or see Dexter mentioned occasionally in discussions or reviews about Serge. I love both series, but I don't think they're the same at all. Since I just listened to the most recent Dexter book in between Serge marathons, I decided to start making a list of comparisons to show why they're different. Here's what I have so far:

Dexter has a legitimate job. Serge lives on the proceeds of crime.

Dexter feels a deep need to kill. Serge would just as soon not, but...

Dexter's victims must meet certain eligibility requirements, defined by "Harry's Code." Serge's victims just have to really piss him off.

Dexter has a routine and a ritual way of killing. Serge doesn't use the same method more than once.

Dexter stays to the end. Serge usually goes away while they're still alive, and leaves them with a slim (practically non-existent) possibility of escape.

Dexter thoroughly cleans up afterward. Serge leaves bodies and parts strewn all over Florida for others to find and deal with.

Dexter keeps a box of slides with blood samples of all his victims. Serge keeps a box of historical Florida souvenirs.

Dexter talks to his playmates for maximum terror and mental anguish while he works on them. Serge entertains his victims with pleasant banter while setting up his devices, which practically amounts to the same thing.

Both rely heavily on duct tape.

Heist by Comedy

Would you consider the audio edition of The Stingray Shuffle to be better than the print version?

I am sure it is. The tongue in cheek performance made me laugh and groan.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot kept me falling off my seat laughing. Serge and company are successful mobsters through a comedy of errors. This was my first Dorsey, will not be my last. They remind me of the bumbling villains found in Carol Higgins Clark novels. And the very satisfying way it all comes together in the end

What about George K. Wilson’s performance did you like?

The way way he does the voices and the accents are funny. I also enjoy how he is very serious about these characters trials and tribulations. I was ROFLMAO

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Most definitely, the twist and turns were so hilarious. A lot of the time your thinking" I know where this is going" and then "what just happened here" funny

Any additional comments?

Will definitely be reading some more Dorsey. It was not what I expected. Actually it was better than expected.

Dorsey never ceases to entertain- and then some.

Dorsey never ceases to entertain- and then some. The intricacy and links between characters are genius.

great story

loved it, great author and the narrator is aways great can't wait for the next one.

Poor Narration

Narrator was mostly monotone. ugh. i sooo love dorsey's books, but not this narration of it.

Ah, Back to Hilarity!

After Orange Crush Express I almost gave up on Tim Dorsey. The constant cheap-shot political nonsense, anti NRA-2A-White Man bad agenda was grating my nerves something awful. But I'm used to it from most media outlets!
Glad I didn't give up! Triggering Twist slayed me and Stingray was FUNNY, fast, full of twists, and just a smidgen of anti-male crap from the BBB. The narration isn't terrible, but far from great.
The Jamaican accent should have just been skipped all together, AWLFUL
If you enjoy Serge, Lenny, Colman, City, Country, the Shit Mafia, 3rd rate ex -KGB drop outs, Johnny Vegas, and other wacky characters, without Dorsey's not-so-subtle politics, then this is for you!

Ridiculous but funny

Laugh a minute writing. The absurd antics and dialog make it a fun listen.

Many think Florida is a little weird, this takes great fun with that.

The narration was wonderful. The voice of Serge brings back memories, to me, of a hotshot in my small town youth.

I do think his Russian impression is a bit too close to Boris from Rocky and Bullwinkle. Only missing Natasha. Still funny.

Just fun.

Book within book Money Chase

The plot was Tarentino like, where the characters are taking direction for their lives based on a book titled Stingray Shuffle. Some parts are clever, and other parts ridiculous.

The Narration is what I enjoy through the long informational sections, which I enjoy, but the wrong narrator could ruin it, making me tune out. I am captivated by the Narrator's choice for Surge's wound up, off his meds, voice.

I was stuck on two parts, they just didn't work for me - as insanely composed as the plot already is - I couldn't buy that Surge's Stoner Friend was just left at the hospital, with a clever name. Just a thoughtless way to get him out of the Mystery train ride. The second was Surge not erasing the Answering machine. at the time this was written, machines didn't have codes or fancy security. Again, just a way for Jamaica and Russia to follow on Blazing Saddles.

I enjoyed the book, I laugh out loud with every one in the series so far, but this one was flawed in too many ways. I almost wish I read them out of order so I would know the reasons for why things occur in the previous novels.

on to the next!

Surprise! It was a great book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Most definitely, especially one who liked Carl Hiaasen books. Very similar writing styles.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Serge, he is so random...you just never know what he will say or what will happen to him next.

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

Seriously this book made me laugh and occasionally cringe

Any additional comments?

This was my first book by George K. Wilson. I chose it because I love Carl Hiaasen books and read Wilson is similar. I'm going to check out some other titles by this author. Hope I enjoy them as much as this one.

Dorsey $5000000 magic

I recommend listening to the series. It does not matter which order, they are individual stories. . Anarchic fun, not for the prudish or faint hearted.



Dorsey $5000000 magic the russians will sell any thing.