Hurricane Punch audiobook

I've read a few of this author's books and they never fail to amuse. I think of him as a Carl Hiaasen (one of my favorite authors) on crack. His characters are just plain zany and the events chaotic. Amusing, but not for delicate readers.

Had to drop everything I was reading a few days ago when I realized that Tim Dorsey had a new book out. He's kind of a guilty pleasure of mine - one on the few authors that we shelve in Mystery who I read consistently. Also, he's kind of sick and twisted - he writes Florida crime fiction - think Carl Hiassen or Elmore Leonard, but a bit more humor (like Dave Barry) and more twisted. His main recurring character, Serge Storms is a Florida history nut/serial killer with heart of gold. The main schtick (and what makes him a sympathetic character) is that he only kills people who deserve it, and only in really interesting ways that fit their transgressions. I know, sounds debauched, but it comes across really funny. Anyway, this one, Hurricane Punch, revolves around a copycat seriel killer and the crazy Florida news media. It's his most well-crafted to date, I think, and he's backed off of gruesome description somewhat. I really enjoyed it; read straight through in maybe 3 days. Not sure who to recommend it to, though...

I love Tim Dorsey. I laughed and laughed and learned about Florida and laughed some more. The scene that really got me was hearing Serge's nickname for the nun, which is actually something I've done and have received about as much appreciation for it as he did. I really wish the narrator [audiobook version] had been George Wilson like previous books rather than Oliver Wyman, because to me Wilson captured the age and mania of Serge better and actually gave some whimsical life to Coleman, whereas not only was Wyman a little flat with Coleman, he made Serge sound more like a panicked Richard Dreyfuss circa Jaws than a strong lead.

Coleman and Serge are back in Miami, and so is Mahoney, the cop who’s been trying to put Serge away with such little success he himself was just released from the loony bin. Mahoney is hot on Serge’s trail again, this time enlisting the help of empathetic reporter, Jeff McSwirley. McSwirley’s bosses want the ratings an exclusive with Serge will bring, and Mahoney just wants Serge, especially since he thinks Serge’s personality is beginning to split. Or are there two killers now? The usual hijinks and mishaps ensue as Serge visits his therapist in between driving a stolen Hummer through the number of hurricanes that hit the Florida coast and offing a few deserving bozos along the way.There were several times this book made me laugh out loud, but I have to wonder if Dorsey isn’t losing his touch in much the same way Mahoney believed Serge was unraveling. This book doesn’t lack a cohesive theme so much as the theme is basically irrelevant. Whereas Dorsey’s books used to seem like a series of bizarre, seemingly unrelated events that all worked toward a central theme, the last couple have been a lot of Serge and Coleman wandering around with little purpose. This time their aimless wandering was the result of following hurricanes, but it still lacked any kind of reasoning, other than experiencing the rush. That may be how Coleman does things, but Serge has always had some kind of a plan until recently.Anyone reading these books loves Serge and finds humor in Coleman’s creative substance abuse, but there really has to be more going on than that. A successful series needs not only good recurring characters, but a good story to follow every time out. Road trips in stolen cars are what Serge and Coleman do, but it’s more fun to accompany them if there’s a reason why they’re out there. Tim Dorsey is always worth reading, but I’m hoping his next book will give me a little more something to relish.

Lovable serial killer Serge Storms is back with his substance-abusing buddy Coleman. In this one, they track a whirlwind hurricane season, 'riding' the storms by driving in the eye. People die along the way of course - but Serge is not the only serial killer on the loose. Someone else is killing people, and Agent Mahoney thinks it's Serge's personality splitting. The ending surprised me, actually. I didn't figure it out until just before it was revealed. It's hilarious, as expected from Tim Dorsey. Excellent.

"No Stems, no seeds, I'm a pig in slop" say the character Coleman in "Hurricane Punch" and the same can be said for the reader of this twisted tale. The best books in Tim Dorsey's Serge A. Storms series are those where the humor is in high gear and the plot contrivances simple and straightforward. This text is a prime example of that formula!"Hurricane Punch" opens with a great letter to the editor that Serge writes. Within a few pages you know this text is better than some previous efforts in this series. Dorsey brings back noir detective Agent Mahoney and I enjoy the little details Dorsey includes to round out this character. We are also introduced to a new character, Jeff McSwirley, a sensitive wimpy crime beat reporter who cries incessantly about the events he reports. Dorsey uses both of these characters in a clever way in the text.A thread in "Hurricane Punch" is that 44 year old Serge is undergoing a midlife crisis. The midlife crisis includes a religious search that is hysterical. Serge searches for a belief system that he can buy into, and his journey is a highlight of the novel. Plus, it actually makes some interesting points to boot. Serge's journey also includes an encounter with him returning to the Catholic Church, and Serge's confession (128-131 in the book) is brilliantly funny! Laugh out loud. Again, Dorsey seamlessly weaves this plot twist into the larger story outline in a satisfying manner.An interesting observation about this series (this is the ninth book) is that as it progresses Serge is becoming a man who has a rather high moral code, almost an idealistic one. Yet he can be very unstable, and is a serial killer. It is weird to root for a killer to escape detection, but you find yourself doing just that. Dorsey has given Serge boundless energy and enthusiasm for life, and it is joyful to read. The novel even ends with Serge exclaiming, "Remember the key to life...always act like you deserve to be here.""Hurricane Punch" will increase your laugher and joy, and thus it is a fun read and a great choice for the pool or beach. FYI: The 4 star rating is in comparison to books in a similar vein, not to literature as a whole.

Another great audiobook listen, perfect for long-ish drives. Love Serge--he's a great guide to everything whacko Florida. As with any Tim Dorsey book, you wonder "how the heck is he going to tie all the strings together by the end of the book?" He pulls it off once again here. The comedy is brilliant (and savage), the scene setting fast but detailed enough, and you never lose track of where the story has been--a problem that I've encountered in other audiobooks (who's talking? when did that happen?, etc.) But if you haven't read these books, be warned: they can be pretty grisly.

I absolutely love Tim Dorsey's books, I've read them all (which makes me sad!). I'd compare him to Carl Hiaasen, except Time Dorsey is less preachy and more focused on one character, Serge A. Storms, one of the most imaginative characters I've read about. I highly recommend this series to anyone who appreciates lighthearted books with a historical element.

Agent Mahoney, one of my favorite Dorsey characters, is back for this action-packed race through the eye of multiple hurricanes across the great state of Florida.

Dorsey takes Serge’s craziness to a whole new level in this installment. Also loved the brief appearance of Molly in this book. Hope to see more of her, and possibly McSwirly too.

I find this whole series amusing, Coleman and Serge at it again! Been living in Florida for a while and love to read about the area.

There is no end to Tim Dorsey's ability to craft stories around Florida's hurricane seasons. My first Dorsey novel, and it won't be my last!

Get ready for some new Serge and Coleman friends: Alex, Cristobal, Danielle, Esteban, Gaston and Isaac. If they don't knock you out, see a psychiatrist! Another wild and wacky Dark Side adventure awaits the brave of heart. My 8th straight Tim Dorsey read leaves me pondering, "Am I normal?" The setting is, if you haven't guessed by now, is hurricane season and what Punch , Dorsey delivers! Serge and his psychiatrist will bust your gut. Why? Coleman is there. As he is on every job interview and job.The attraction to Dorsey is how does he think of all these zany ideas and put into a book that will make one laugh to the end of time. In this one, without giving the story line away, another serial killer is driving our hero crazy. Mahoney, The Trib, St Pete Times are in full force so jump in and take a punch or two, or three, or four....................HELP!

Hurricane Punch was my first introduction to Tim Dorsey. I don't think a book has ever made me laugh so hard and so much. I had to go out and find as many of his previous novels as I could, and I have not been disappointed yet. Tim Dorsey's novels are unique in that they are all set in the state of Florida, and contain detailed descriptions of both historical facts about the state, as well as insider information about local dives and places of interest that a tourist might never experience. Rather than turning the book into a boring novel-cum-travelogue, it is presented in such a way that it adds to the hilarity and inspires you to seek out these places yourself. All of this combined with the brilliant schemes of Serge Storms and bumbling of his sidekick, Coleman, make this a book well worth reading.

I enjoyed reading this book for its setting and wacky plot line and characters. The hurricane chasing, Serge's psychotic/moralistic rantings, and the surprise ending all make for a good laugh once you get past the main character's penchant for murder.But Serge's acting out are all within his moral code--he only murders those who are selfish, hurtful, and corrupt. It took me a bit to understand the abrupt switches in point of view, but slowly I got into the rhythm of Tim Dorsey's often depraved story line. Once I accepted Serge and his moral center, which is often skewed off to the left and then back to the right, depending on the situation.In the end, all the characters get what they deserve. If you love Florida and its crazy mixed up world of characters, you'll love Serge and his quest to find the eye of the hurricane.