Hurricane Punch: A Novel [BARGAIN PRICE] (Hardcover)

by Tim Dorsey (Author)
Key Phrases: maximum editor, metro editor, bad monkey, Metro Tom, Party Parrot, Agent Mahoney (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Scathing humor strips the pretense off its targets like a hurricane in bestseller Dorsey's rapid-fire ninth thriller. Last seen in The Big Bamboo (2006), serial killer Serge A. Storms, who seems like all of the Marx brothers rolled into one, rumbles across Florida in a stolen Hummer with his usually drunk or stoned friend, Coleman. Serge follows one hurricane after another, driving in the relatively safe eye of the storm, pointing out fascinating bits of Florida history and only killing those who truly deserve it. That would include the guy in the car next to you blasting his music as well as the person price-gouging hurricane victims. The murders are accomplished in appropriately bizarre, if not graphic, fashion. As Serge evades law enforcement and perennial nemesis Agent Mahoney, his latest road trip allows him to skewer everything from President Bush to fast food establishments, with particular emphasis given to the foibles of the media (newspapers) for which Dorsey once worked. 13-city author tour. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Dorsey's ninth novel to feature irrepressible Florida serial killer Serge A. Storm offers another utterly over-the-top blend of slapstick, satire, and mayhem. After a raucous adventure in Hollywood, Storm and his dumbed-down, liquored-up sidekick Coleman return to their native state, wreaking havoc as they chase hurricanes and kill civilians up and down the coast. Alas, it seems another local loco has made up his twisted mind to vie for the distinction of Florida's "most wanted." Dorsey's cast of characters reads like a psychiatrist's dream. Among them: Agent Mahoney, an obsessive-compulsive criminal profiler traumatized by his journeys inside Storm's mind, and Jeff McSwirley, a crackerjack reporter who regularly vomits and sobs when interviewing survivors of crimes. While Dorsey delivers less-incisive satire than does his fellow-Floridian Carl Hiaasen, he does have his moments, particularly when targeting the media. The title refers to Coleman's cocktail of choice, a noxious blend of Red Bull, Everclear, exotic fruit juices, and liqueurs. Clearly an acquired taste. And, like Dorsey's novels, perhaps too potent for some. Allison Block
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (January 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060829672
• ASIN: B000WPQBJ2
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #614,098 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank The Gods For These Books!, August 30, 2007

By	Jack Daniels "Rules" (P.R.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hurricane Punch: A Novel (Hardcover)

This whole series of books by Tim Dorsey can be described as a twisted and funny study on the dark side in all of human beings. Tim Dorsey manages to take everyday situations and make them incredibly funny. Based in Florida, the series follows the twisted life of Serge Storms (one of the best characters ever created) and all his sick, violent and disturbed adventures. Of course, along the way you will get to meet every kind of character you can imagine.

The interesting thing about this series is that behind all the funny stories, there are tons of social and political criticisms. I have read all the books in the series, and each one keeps getting better. If you are a fan of Quentin Tarantino movies, Family Guy cartoons or South Park cartoons, you will love these books. A MUST BUY.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs More Mescaline, April 10, 2007

By	Kara J. Jorges "Avid Reader" (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Hurricane Punch: A Novel (Hardcover)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars [WWSD] What Would Serge Do?, March 2, 2007

By	James L. Throne "Jim Throne" (Dunedin, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Hurricane Punch: A Novel (Hardcover)

Okay, this is a highly biased review. I own twelve copies of Dorsey's books. Nine published editions and three purloined pre-published editions. And someday, I'll do a complete index so that each of us can search back to find specific characters or antics in the life of one Serge A, Storms.

A long while back, I wondered aloud whether Tim Dorsey could sustain his main character. Well, the wonder is over, at least for Hurricane Punch, Dorsey's ninth book (lessee... The original, a prequel, and 7 sequels). And in my humble opinion, Dorsey has returned home - Florida - where Serge characters abound and seem to "fit right in." Where hurricanes are a fact of life (and death).

Seems tho we got ourselves an imposter calling himself "Eye of the Storm". Serge complains but Agent Mahoney, just released from the booby-hatch, teams up with McSwirley, a Tampa reporter who can't stop crying over spilt blood, is convinced Serge is behind all the mayhem. Meanwhile Serge has a new game - driving in the eye of hurricanes. And picking up wenches along the way. And offing guys the old Serge way. Ingeniously. Coleman, still working the booze and drug circuit, thinks Serge's losing his touch. Getting old. 44. And that's almost 50. And that's almost 60! Maturing. Mellowing. And what about Party Parrot, you ask! Don't ask.

Personal opinion. Hurricane Punch is Dorsey's best book since Orange Crush.

Final thought: Remember the thriller, Das Boot? Remember how you were warned NOT TO READ THE LAST PAGE BEFORE YOU GOT THERE? If you're a Floridian, or if you are a devotee of the nonsense going on in this nonsensical state, whatever you do, DON'T READ THE LAST PAGE BEFORE YOU GET THERE!