From Florida’s king of mayhem—“compulsively irreverent and shockingly funny” (Boston Globe) New York Times bestselling author Tim Dorsey—comes a diabolically madcap adventure featuring the indomitable Serge A. Storms.No one worships the Sunshine State as much as Serge A. Storms. Perpetually hunting Floridian arcana and lore, he and his permanently baked sidekick, Coleman, are on the road again. … Coleman, are on the road again. This time they’re on a frenzied literary pilgrimage that leads them back to Riviera Beach, the cozy seaside town where the boys spent their formative years.
Growing up, Serge was enthralled by the Legend of Riviera Beach, aka Darby, a welder at the port who surfed the local waves long before the hot spots were hot. A god on the water, the big-hearted surfer was a friend to everyone—the younger surfers, cops, politicians, wealthy businessmen and ordinary Joes—a generosity of spirit that earned him the admiration of all. Meanwhile, there was a much murkier legend that made the rounds of the schoolyards from Serge’s youth—that of the crazy hermit living in a makeshift jungle compound farther up the mysterious Loxahatchee River than anyone dared to venture.
Then Serge moved away. But never forgot.
Now he’s back, with those legends looming larger than ever in the rearview mirror of his memory. As his literary odyssey moves north from Key West, closer and closer to his old stomping grounds, Serge digs into the past as only Serge can. Along the way, he unintentionally disturbs some long-forgotten ground, attracting the attention of a cast of villains that only Florida can produce.
As the body count grows, so does the list of questions:
Why are the guys in the hard hats worried about the monkeys? When do you hack a motel air-conditioner? How does Coleman get high with cat toys? Who is expecting the dildo? And will book tours ever be the same after Serge decides to check one out?
Told in alternating flashbacks between Serge and Coleman’s childhoods and the present day, The Pope of Palm Beach is a witty and deliciously violent delight from the twisted imagination of Tim Dorsey.
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As a native Floridian, I am familiar with many of the places in this novel. It took me on a trip down memory lane. It also poked fun at South Florida and the quirky people that inhabit it. Laughed through the entire book.
Fun summer read, even if you didn’t grow up in sunny south Florida.
Full of kinky characters who wander around without a plot. I didn’t bother finishing it.
Not the best Dorsey, but if you follow Serge you will like it.
I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t wait to see what craziness came next
I am a total fan of Serge and company, and this was the best so far.
Dorsey is finally back on point with Serge & Coleman !
Very interesting book in that it follows the geographic life (if I may use the term) of several well-known Floridian authors. Interesting plot with some unexpected twists and turns. A wee bit pedantic at times in narrating the history of a neighborhood or a town or a house, but that is not too boring.
Serge is likeable serial killer. He gets rid of toxic waste dumpers, people who think confusing sea turtles laying eggs is funny, that sort of person. And the inventive ways he goes about executing them is appropriate to their crimes. It’s vigilante justice. He’s also an avid reader and goes on a literary tour of Florida with his best stoner pal and finds one of his favorites holed up hiding from the mob. Well, he has to fix that, too. 🙂
Hard to follow.
Very disappointing. Dorsey has been my favorite author for a number of years. This does not come close to his other books. It feels like he mailed it in.
Nothing like reading about places you know with unusual characters to liven things up.
Tim Dorsey is one of my favorite authors. Surge A Strom has been interesting to follow through all by Tim’s books.