The Serge Storms series by Tim Dorsey is a collection of humorous crime novels. The series follows Serge A. Storms, a self-appointed serial killer with a moral code, and his stoner sidekick Coleman. They go on a variety of adventures across Florida.
The books are filled with humor, satire, and often absurd situations. Dorsey’s writing style is fast-paced, and he jumps around in time, providing flashbacks to Serge’s past and other characters’ histories. The books are also packed with local Florida history, trivia, and landmarks, which adds an educational aspect to the entertainment.
Tim Dorsey Books In Order (Serge Storms Books In Order)
Each book in the Serge Storms series can be read as a standalone. Still, the author recommends reading the books to fully capture the character development and continuity of the series. Reading the books in order will also help you understand the references to past events and characters that appear in later books.
Additionally, the series follows a loose chronological order, with some books building upon events and character arcs from previous books. Starting from the first book, “Florida Roadkill,” will introduce readers to Serge and Coleman’s world and provide a strong foundation for the rest of the series. There are 26 books in the series, and here is the list of them by reading order:
- Florida Roadkill (1999).
- Hammerhead Ranch Motel (2000).
- Orange Crush (2001).
- Triggerfish Twist (2002).
- The Stingray Shuffle (2003).
- Cadillac Beach (2004).
- Torpedo Juice (2005).
- The Big Bamboo (2006).
- Hurricane Punch (2007).
- Atomic Lobster (2008).
- Nuclear Jellyfish (2009).
- Gator A-Go-Go (2010).
- Electric Barracuda (2011).
- When Elves Attack (2011).
- Pineapple Grenade (2012).
- The Riptide Ultra-Glide (2013).
- Tiger Shrimp Tango (2014).
- Shark Skin Suite (2015).
- Coconut Cowboy (2016).
- Clownfish Blues (2017).
- The Pope of Palm Beach (2018).
- No Sunscreen for the Dead (2019).
- Naked Came the Florida Man (2020).
- Tropic of Stupid (2021).
- Mermaid Confidential (2022).
- The Maltese Iguana (2023).
Checkout my list: Tim Dorsey Books List
Florida Roadkill: This book introduces the character of Serge Storms. He’s a psychopathic Florida resident who goes on a violent rampage after losing his job. The book is darkly funny and filled with quirky characters.
Hammerhead Ranch Motel: Serge Storms and his sidekick Coleman are on a mission to find a stash of stolen drugs, but they get caught in a turf war between rival gangs.
Orange Crush: Serge Storms and Coleman set out to find a missing stripper but are caught up in a plot to steal a load of oranges. The book is a little more lighthearted than the previous two but still full of unexpected twists.
Triggerfish Twist: Serge and Coleman take a road trip to New Orleans, where they involve in a kidnapping plot and on the run from the law.
The Stingray Shuffle: Serge and Coleman go to the Florida Keys to investigate the mysterious death of a beach bum.
Cadillac Beach: Serge and Coleman go on a wild chase through Miami, searching for a missing car that may hold the key to a long-forgotten treasure.
Torpedo Juice: Serge and Coleman take a trip to the Florida panhandle, where they get caught up in a feud between two rival families. The book is slightly darker than some of the earlier ones in the series but still has offbeat characters.
The Big Bamboo: Serge and Coleman set out to find a missing girl in the Florida Everglades but fall into a scheme to smuggle Cuban cigars.
Hurricane Punch: Serge and Coleman are on the Florida Keys to investigate a string of murders that may be linked to a hurricane that hit the area years earlier.
Atomic Lobster: Serge and Coleman lead the Florida Keys for a fishing trip, and face a plot to steal a nuclear submarine.
Nuclear Jellyfish: Serge and Coleman are hired to protect a movie star from a stalker.
Gator A-Go-Go: Serge and Coleman investigate a series of murders that may be linked to a legendary monster.
Electric Barracuda: Serge and Coleman get caught up in a battle between rival music festivals in Key West.
When Elves Attack: Serge and Coleman take on a group of rogue mall Santas, who are wreaking havoc in a Florida shopping mall. The book is a fun holiday-themed adventure with plenty of humor and action.
Pineapple Grenade: Serge and Coleman go on a mission to save a young woman from a dangerous cult.
The Riptide Ultra-Glide: Serge and Coleman set out to solve a series of bizarre crimes along the Florida coast, including a murder at a water park and a bank robbery committed by a man in a shark suit.
Tiger Shrimp Tango: Serge and Coleman take on a gang of ruthless criminals terrorizing the Florida Gulf Coast.
Shark Skin Suite: Serge and Coleman struggle with a scandal involving a crooked judge and a mysterious woman with a dangerous past.
Coconut Cowboy: Serge and Coleman set out to solve a string of murders in the Florida wilderness with help from an eccentric local. The book is a little more serious than some of the earlier ones in the series.
Clownfish Blues: Serge and Coleman investigate a series of bizarre crimes in the Florida Keys, including a bank robbery committed by a clown and a murder at a dolphin research facility.
The Pope of Palm Beach: Serge and Coleman investigate a string of murders in the Florida retirement community of Boca Raton.
No Sunscreen for the Dead: Serge and Coleman take on a gang of ruthless criminals terrorizing the Florida coast.
Naked Came the Florida Man: Serge and Coleman investigate bizarre crimes along the Florida coast. That includes a murder at a nudist colony and a bank robbery committed by a man in a manatee suit.
Tropic of Stupid: Serge and Coleman go on a mission to save a young woman from a dangerous cult in the Florida Keys.
Mermaid Confidential: Serge and Coleman take on a group of smugglers who are trafficking in rare sea creatures.
The Maltese Iguana: The story begins at the beginning of the pandemic as Serge and Coleman decide to ride out the lockdown in the Florida Keys. They get vaccinated and then connect with fellow condo dwellers, local tradesmen, and the CIA.
Meanwhile, a covert operation in Honduras goes wrong. Serge saves the day and stages a pyrotechnic feat captured on film by an ambitious movie director. The book is full of Dorsey’s zaniness, humor, and ingenious plotting, making it enjoyable.
Note: Although “When Elves Attack” is listed as the 14th book in the series, it is a holiday-themed novella that can be read as a standalone story.
The series is a must-read for readers who enjoy offbeat humor and eccentric characters.
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