Tiger Shrimp Tango: A Novel (Serge Storms)
There are really no better guides for a virtual tour of Florida than Serge Storms and his ever-inebriated sidekick Coleman (The Riptide Ultra-Glide, 2013), especially if you can appreciate a plot with plenty of slack for hysterical digressions bound by the time-tested moral: Don’t be a jerk. This time philosophical serial killer Serge is working for his Hammett-channeling friend Mahoney to track the worst offenders in an epidemic of scam artistry. Harnessing the power of metadata (no one said this book isn’t smart), Serge and Coleman uncover a dazzling string of culprits. Then they dispatch them in a series of science experiments intricately plotted to amuse Serge and make ironic statements. Serge punctuates his hunt for miscreants with tours of Florida attractions (LEGOLAND, Tupperware Confidence Center), a mission to unite the Democratic and Republican parties, and a plot to avenge his love Felicia’s murder. This strong entry in the long-loved series is an incisive, darkly humorous road trip; perfect for those weary of Dexter’s sobriety, and a great crossover match with Christopher Moore’s adventures (Sacré Bleu, 2012). --Christine Tran