Tropic of Stupid

This is another terrific read from Tim Dorsey. We know what to expect by now: Serge is manic, obsessive, murderous, very funny and strangely loveable – at least partially because his inventively homicidal attacks are all aimed at vicious, exploitative scumbags. He is also an inexhaustible and delighted fund of arcane Florida facts and history, which I find genuinely fascinating, especially when presented so wittily.

As if it matters, this time Serge has become obsessed with his own ancestry. His researches intersect with a police investigation into a serial killer with predictable mayhem. Coleman is on very good, drugged-up form and Tim Dorsey’s research and character insights are as remarkable as ever.

In a long series like this some books aren’t going to be quite up to peak standard, but I thought this one very definitely was. It’s a cracking, exciting and hugely entertaining read which I can recommend very warmly indeed.

(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)

Tim Dorsey is a go-to author for me when it comes to mystery, humor, and suspense. A creative author, an intriguing story, strong dialogue, and lots of twists and turns. A recommended and enjoyable book.

He is back!! Yes, Serge Storms, the walking Floripedia is back and we are in for a gigantic treat in Absurdistan.
This time around our favorite chatterbox and his drug addled sidekick Coleman, the Don Quichotte & Sancho Panza of contemporary Florida, are getting involved in scuba diving, genealogy and DNA swabs........while putting scumbags out of their misery in ways that are very entertaining, witty and downright hilarious, and last but not least, they are hunting down a serial killer.....Well what can I say, it's Tim Dorsey, what do you expect?? As usual Dorsey untangles all the threads of this ingenious plot with brio and lots of laughter from start to finish. This is the perfect novel to read during the dreary times we are all going through right now. I bet that some of you will end up wishing that Paul Storms would stick around to take care of all the stupid Karens and maskless morons of this world while contemplating a run the US Senate. Why not?
Please enjoy this fabulous novel without moderation!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Duckworth/Farrgo Books for the opportunity to read this hilarious treat prior to its release date.

This has hundreds of ratings and reviews online which will give you a good sense of whether this is for you. I'll just recommend this for those seeking a good humorous fiction tale. Dorsey has been around for decades, and he's a good bet.

Thanks very much for the review copy!!

Serge Storms and his sidekick Coleman are checking out their distant relatives on Ancestry.com. Coming from the same direction is the FBI checking a cold cases serial killer. Serge is a modern day Robinhood of the over the top kind. He is a man for family and the underdog but his solutions are permanent. You will laugh yourself silly as Serge and Coleman go through life sorting problems in an unusual and inventive way. Just dive in and accept this character with all his dark humour, heart of gold and outrageous friend. I promise you you’ll never get bored with this character.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Princess Fuzzypants here: For those who do not know the author or his character, Serge Storm, you are in for a treat. This book can be laugh out loud funny, always bizarre and extremely quirky fun. It is also the perfect antidote for whatever ails you as you tumble into the world of Florida that is definitely off the beaten track. The reader can get lost in there but entertained the entire time.

Serge is a highly skilled, intelligent killer with a deep sense of morality. In fact, he turns into an avenging angel when he sees a vulnerable person being harmed. He comes up with inventive ways of bringing justice that would be horrible if they were not also darkly funny. The stories also bring a wide assembly of characters with seemingly diverse paths into a common tale. For example, this book has a fatherless boy influencd by a kindly priest, a successful shyster lawyer, a serial killer, a politician, several scam artists and Serge- on his way to building his family tree through a DNA service.

It takes the reader on a merry jaunt all around southern Florida, stopping at various places that are monuments to the State that no longer exists. While the modern reader can appreciate and like the Florida of today, it is impossible not to long for some of the things that have been lost along the way- even if the only connection to those things are through the pages of the book. One can only imagine how someone whose past is linked to those lost “treasures” must feel.

Fast pace, fun and addictive. Five purrs and two paws up.

Another fun story by this excellent author. Action, humor, and great characters. I found this story highly entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine