Hurricane Punch

by: Tim Dorsey

Published by: William Morrow

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

Where have I been? Tim Dorsey has eight earlier novels--and I've just discovered his scathing and raucous humor. I have a whole lot of catching up to do.

Hurricane season is about to pound the life out of Florida. It seems a serial killer, or maybe two, is on the loose and if he isn't caught, the body count will skyrocket.

Dorsey's loveable (can that be true?) psychopath, Serge has a weird sense of moral justice. He's not opposed to killing someone, he just prefers that they deserve death. He's not only a walking encyclopedia on all things Florida, but he loves hurricanes.

Serge is dedicated in righting wrong doings. Even if that means someone must die. But he balks at the newspaper calling him a serial killer.

Agent Mahoney (recently released from a mental hospital for getting too far into Serge's head) believes Serge is the serial killer and his personality is splitting from years of experiencing the good and better parts of life. He's determined to bring down Serge.

Coleman, Serge's friend, is forever 'high' and that just might be what derails Serge. In the meantime, Coleman is along for the ride of his life and will do anything if it only means he can avoid getting a job.

As the storms increase, Tampa Bay's favorite journalist is getting all the newspaper 'scoops.' He's contacted by the killer and will help Agent Mahoney in his quest to stop a bumbling, but very lucky madman who denies being a serial killer--who denies it by writing letters to the newspaper, dueling letters with another killer.

Is Serge a serial killer? Will the hurricanes get the best of Florida and be the undoing of Serge? Will Mahoney get his man, or men? And what will happen to our mild-mannered reporter?

Dorsey is simply brilliant. His edgy humor leaves nothing in society untouched by his unique view of life. The novel is more of a series vignettes strung together to make a raucous novel. By the time you turn the last page, you just might believe that Serge makes a whole lot of sense--and that's a scary scenario. '

Armchair Interviews says: Hurricane Punch packs a wallop and leaves the reader wanting more of Dorsey's off beat humor. It's a winner.

Author's Web site: http://www.TimDorsey.com