Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
 More adventures of Serge Storms, and a whole lot of fun for the reader... August 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
With all the other books I've been reading of late, I missed that Tim Dorsey had come out with another Serge Storms novel... Atomic Lobster. So long as you know what you're getting into with a Dorsey novel, this is a lot of fun much as the others were.
It's nearly impossible to write a plot summary of a Dorsey novel. There are a number of things going on that seemingly have nothing to do with anything, only to have them intersect a hundred pages later. The main driving plot in this novel is Serge's "promise" to watch out for Jim Davenport, an extremely non-confrontational guy who doesn't want to do anything to rock the boat. Serge gets involved when he shows up at a support group for people who can't confront others. He hears Davenport's story about being ripped off by some movers, and he takes it upon himself to protect this guy. From there, it all gets crazy. The mover is disposed of in a rather creative fashion. His disappearance triggers some smugglers to go into overdrive to find a statue that he was supposed to deliver. They find Davenport's name and think Davenport has it. The smugglers have to hold off their bosses, so they attempt another job using grandmas on a cruise ship to unknowingly smuggle in ancient artifacts. The grandmas just think it's a piece of junk and dispose of it before they clear customs. A notorious killer is also after Davenport in order to take revenge for his jail time. All these plots (and a few others for fun) converge in a wild party in a house that Serge's supposed to be house-setting. Even then, things aren't done. All of this action takes place at a frenetic pace, with Serge hitting all the "historical" parts of Florida and reliving history long since past.
This really is a wild ride of a novel, in a bizarre way. Serge's means of dishing out justice is gruesome, yet oddly funny in its own way. For a character who is certifiably crazy, Serge has more logic than many other stereotyped Floridians. Fans of Dorsey will understand and enjoy. New readers of Dorsey will probably wonder what they got themselves in for. Just sit back, prepare for lunacy, and go with the flow...
A Hilarious Romp Through Florida August 6, 2008
When reading a Tim Dorsey book, a lot of things fall to the wayside; attention to family members, attempting to eat at lunch, blogging, and free time, among others. This is directly attributed to the desire to finish the book as quickly as possible. There are so many sub-plots in play, you just *have* to see how it all shakes out. With Atomic Lobster, Tim Dorsey has penned another excellent novel concerning the "serial killer with a wicked sense of humor," Serge Storms.
Serge continues his sightseeing around the state of Florida, hitting quite a few cities, including Tarpon Springs and Tampa. Along for the ride, as a faithful but drug addled sidekick is Coleman. Rounding out the immediate lunacy is Rachael, beautiful stripper and Coleman's equal in consuming large quantities of drugs and alcohol. In addition to those three, we have returning character Jim Davenport and his headstrong wife, Martha, a recently released convict and his murderous family, a drug smuggling ring, some elderly women on the prowl for men, some mobsters in the Witness Protection Program, a retired Pittsburgh Steeler great and some rabid fans, and a spy. There are more characters but those are the major characters. Everyone that is still alive come together on a cruise ship toward the end, which leads to some very interesting interactions.
It is very difficult to describe the plot, especially with so many story arcs, but the glue that holds this book together, like all of Dorsey's novels, is Serge. Dorsey thinks nothing of showing you an outcome, and then in the next chapter, explain how you arrived at that point. And usually it is due to Serge. While he may be a killer, it is the methods that he uses to dispatch his victims that are quite imaginative. You are usually given a small idea of the killing, but you have to wait for another chapter, or two, to really discover more about it. And then, you can't help but laugh at the setup, location, or method. Serge only shoots someone if he is in a hurry, and, as I recall, he doesn't shoot anyone in this novel. Adding to this, is Serge's love of all things Florida. You may travel to the state, but Serge will show you sights you have probably missed. And you will love him for it.
While there is a lot happening in this novel, don't let that distract you from the good time reading it. You will be able to keep up, as Dorsey makes it very difficult to put this book down. And, like his other novels, you might learn something about the sights in Florida and the cruise ship industry. Another top-notch novel from the wicked mind of Tim Dorsey.
Did I mention the Mimes and Clowns?
 Atomic Lobster July 15, 2008
This man thinks he's Carl Hiassen. He isn't. He tries manfully for madcap madness, manages to get a few pages of funny, but, in all, a total and complete waste of time. Ignore the positive blurbs on the book jacket. I will, hereafter.
Hil-ar-e-ous! As always July 14, 2008
Gotta love these characters.... I continue to enjoy the hilarious romps, rolls, and adventures of Surge and the Gang.
Killer comedy July 13, 2008
14 out of 21 found this review helpful
Dorsey serves up
Serge #10
But as it's my first
I hope you'll humor me
As I enthuse
A Florida setting
Is the stage for
A murderously humorous
Serial killer
With selective morals
Serge,
Anti-hero, ladies man
And a genius
When it comes to
Revenge killings
Indeed, Serge A. Storms is the star of the Dorsey books. Mentally unbalanced and off his meds, he somehow manages to be a likeable character - even when he's devising ingenious ways of killing bad people. In this book he kills at least six people in unique ways, although he's not the only interesting character.
Other characters:
Jim Davenport - Jim and his wife Martha first met Serge ten years before the events of this book. They lived in Triggerfish Lane (another book title in the series) and were survivors of a home invasion by the McGraw Brothers. They have now moved to Lobster Lane, and aren't too pleased to see Serge.
Coleman - Serge's drug-addled sidekick, and dumb as a post, except when it comes to bong-making.
Rachael - Six foot tall professional girl with a drug habit and a heck of a mouth
The G-Unit - Four feisty grannies leading a cruise ship existence while participating in extreme ballroom dancing and illicit boozing
Tex McGraw - McGraw Brother who missed the Triggerfish Lane invasion, and is still sore about it.
Smugglers in white linen and Smugglers in tunics - A game of pass the artifacts involves many leading characters
Johnny Vegas - The Accidental Virgin
Gaylord Wainscotting -Resident of Lobster Lane
Foxtrot - Secret Agent
Dorsey is a genius of comedy and timing, as his characters interlock and intertwine into a story of grand proportions. Recommended for fans of Carl Hiaasen and dark comedies.
Rated: 4.5 stars
Amanda Richards, July 12, 2008
|
