Tim Dorsey (1961–2023)

I love Dorsey. And I really, really like his main character Serge A. Storm and his unparalleled biographical knowledge of Florida including its arcane cinematic history. I also expect that is Serge being Dorsey's alter-ego, and I appreciate the way he espouses a truthful rendering of American and Floridian politics, economics, culture and society. That said, this book was too frenetic, with far too much chaos; I would say that it had too many moving pieces. I know that Serge is supposed to be crazy and act in crazed ways, but this story was simply that it entail way too little story. In other Dorsey novels we have the oftentimes annoying sidekick Coleman, and in this one we have the oftentimes annoying sidekick Lenny; I don't know why Serge needs a dimwitted, stoner muse in every book, but apparently he does. That's okay in small doses, but literally swamps the ultimate storyline that was already drowning in madness.

In the end it all wraps up, sure, but the rendering made me lose interest in an exponentially decreasing way. In other words, this starts out as a solid 4-1/2 to 5 star book, soon thereafter drops to 4 stars, then 3-1/2, and I will grudgingly give it 3. Finally glad I was finished which is NOT the way a book should end.… (more)

Serge, and by extension, Coleman, decide to slow down in the Florida Keys, aka Operation Pump the Brakes. Of course while absorbing the flavor of the keys Serge gets involved with, and alters, the lives of others. He and Coleman move into a vintage 1970s condo where they befriend retirees and in the process avenge victims of “surprise medical billing” and help evict an off-the-rails renter.

He also meets Julie, who is taking care of her retired fishing guide father while volunteering with childhood cancer victims. A confluence of Serge, Julie, a Colombian drug lord, a group of killer thieves, and the local deputy results in the bulk of the excitement and a satisfying conclusion. Another solid entry into the Serge and Coleman chronicles.… (more)