Tim Dorsey's (The Pope of Palm Beach) popular character Serge Storms is back in the wickedly funny No Sunscreen for the Dead. This time, genial psychopath Serge and his perpetually stoned sidekick, Coleman, are in Florida looking for senior citizens "only observed in the wild on a single tiny piece of land"--or, to be precise, in a certain infamous retirement village in central Florida.
Serge and Coleman become honorary members of this retirement community and feel protective of their new friends. When Serge hears that shady businessmen prey on vulnerable retirees, he immediately takes action. First he tries politeness: "I'm asking for a good-faith refund. Believe me, this is as polite as it gets." When that doesn't work, salesmen selling unnecessary appliances and caretakers who are less than caring all meet inglorious (and outrageously gruesome) ends.
Multiple story lines collide with Serge's avenging mission. A retired navy veteran becomes reacquainted with his counterculture friend from the '60s, revealing a spy vs. spy story with far-reaching repercussions. A data analyst runs for his life after discovering suspicious data requests from a mysterious client. Government privacy violations, counter-espionage work and Serge's altruistic revenge killings ultimately converge, neatly and uproariously tying up all seemingly coincidental mysteries--satisfying everyone involved. As Coleman observes, "Nobody's ever thanked God for us before." Those who enjoy Carl Hiaasen will find this book an entertaining introduction to Serge Storm's adventures, and long-time fans will welcome the 22nd addition to the series. --Cindy Pauldine, bookseller, the river's end bookstore, Oswego, N.Y.