Electric Barracuda

Written by Tim Dorsey

Narrated by Oliver Wyman

“Dorsey differs from writers such as Carl Hiassen, James Hall, and Elmore Leonard…These guys fire bullets. Dorsey makes sure his gun is filled with hollow-point.”
—Sarasota Herald Tribune

Readers who can’t get enough of lovable serial killer Serge A. Storms can rejoice. He’s back in Electric Barracuda—the latest outrageous romp through the Sunshine State by Tim Dorsey, master of the zany crime thriller. This time Serge is a fugitive running from the police, and murder and mayhem have never been more over-the-top hilarious. Tim Dorsey’s Electric Barracuda is not to be missed. The Miami Herald put it best: “Nobody, but nobody, writes like this guy.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jan 25, 2011
• ISBN: 9780062027245

Tim Dorsey

Tim Dorsey was a reporter and editor for the Tampa Tribune from 1987 to 1999, and is the author of twenty-five other novels: Mermaid Confidential, Tropic of Stupid, Naked Came the Florida Man, No Sunscreen for the Dead, Pope of Palm Beach, Clownfish Blues, Coconut Cowboy, Shark Skin Suite, Tiger Shrimp Tango, The Riptide Ultra-Glide, When Elves Attack, Pineapple Grenade, Electric Barracuda, Gator A-Go-Go, Nuclear Jellyfish, Atomic Lobster, Hurricane Punch, The Big Bamboo, Torpedo Juice, Cadillac Beach, The Stingray Shuffle, Triggerfish Twist, Orange Crush, Hammerhead Ranch Motel, and Florida Roadkill. He lives in Florida.

Reviews for Electric Barracuda

[hagelstein_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Serge Storms, rampant Floridaphile and insanely inventive serial killer of those-who-only-really-deserve-it, returns with his new idea to share his love of offbeat, overlooked, and forgotten Florida: The Fugitive Tour.While Serge and Coleman are themselves taking the tour of little-known Florida hot spots – to ensure authenticity – they’re being hunted by a task force, including Serge’s old nemesis –Agent Mahoney.With this thirteenth Serge novel, the series hasn’t lost any steam or inventiveness.There’s plenty of Florida history and trivia, close calls, old friends that help Serge along the way, an inept made-for-television bounty hunter called “The Doberman,” naked redheads, and a few of Serge’s usual unique murders. There are also a few surprises that promise to change the complexion of future Serge novels.

[lisathelibrarian_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What happens when a serial killer kills only the bad guys? Not that serial killer, the other one: Serge Storms. I never heard of him before this book, but I am probably hooked now and cannot wait for the next chapter in the series. Serge Storms is the son and grandson of mobsters: part of a Chicago, Cuban, Italian mixture of Florida-based diversity in crime. He has decided to take up blogging (new website, because the cops shut down the last one), and lead his followers of friends, criminals, and cops on the Fugitive Tour of Florida. He intends to explain how to stay continually one step above the law while visiting Florida's most interesting places (the ones that tourists never see). He is aided by his faithful, but perpetually stoned sidekick, Coleman, and chased by the agents of the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement), a smart cop, a dumb cop and a crazy copy. The author intersperses the manic chase of the present day with the history of Florida, great descriptions of geography, and the hidden history of Al Capone. And Serge really is a serial killer, killing bad guys in cruel and imaginative ways, but don't let that stop you from enjoying this merry chase. Also, this was an Advance Reader Copy, so final published text may be slightly different than that reviewed. Out on January 25, 2011 (edited - book has March 2011, but Amazon has Jan.25, 2011 as release date).

[katcoviello · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazingly hilarious and thrilling. It was a fabulous mystery and comedy.

[ozzieslim · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a great chase novel. The action never let up and the characters were quirky and well drawn. The whole chase is set in Florida and comprises an internet blog of a fugitive travelogue. Traveling through backwaters and small towns the fugitives race all over Florida evading local law enforcement, a red head in a turquoise T-Bird, a mystery man in a yellow Cadillac, a corrupt attorney in a black Beemer and a Crown Vic driving gumshoe with a vocabulary straight out of a Humphrey Bogart movie.

This is not a great literary masterpiece. It is quintessentially American embracing the idea of the road trip. There is violence but it is darkly humorous and clever as opposed to savage and bloody. The two main characters Serge and Coleman are a classically comedic pair.

Pick this one up if you need a lift in mood and want to be entertained. It's a 1 to 2 day read for the quick reader.

[clayhollow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is Tim Dorsey's 13th book starring the ever practical yet psycho Florida fugitive, Serge Storms. This time Serge takes on us on a fun and frolicking "fugitive tour" of Florida. He keeps a blog and of course he has his faithful, yet stoned sidekick Coleman by his side every step of the way. Serge is, as usual, being hunted by Federal agents, a bounty hunter, a whole caravan of characters, and his ex-wife in a Turquoise colored T-bird. We take a trip throughout the sunshine state to see the back streets and "under belly" of Florida including The Everglades, Orlando, Venice, Myakka River, Tampa, and so on. Besides the "fugitive tour", Serge has a mission this time to help his Grandfather's old gang on the Loop Road to recover funds stolen by a shady lawyer. Will Serge complete his mission? Will the trackers catch up to him this time? Will Agent Mahoney, his nemesis, track him down? Go get this fun, laugh out loud, comedy and found out for yourself. I can't help but wonder who would play Serge and Coleman in a movie? Or Agent Mahoney? I think it would a great movie!Tim Dorsey is an ex-writer for the Tampa Tribune. Electric Barracuda was published in 2011 by William Morrow.

[rachelle1a1tron · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tim Dorsey can do no wrong. He is a genius with a pen. Serge & Coleman are as wild & crazy as ever & I can NOT wait for the next installment. Thank you Mr. Dorsey!

[dirac_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you are a fan of Serge you will undoubtedly like this book. If you do not like Serge and Coleman, what are you doing reading this far into the series? The book has twists and turns and a major plot/story development as the future of Serge may never be the same.

[ccourtland_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Imagine a mash-up of MTV's iconic Beavis and Butthead meets gumshoe noir on a crazy trip through the set of Miami Vice (the Everglade years). This is one badass, non-stop thrill ride that will have you zigzagging all over the state of Florida. Who else can master dark comedy, crime thriller and state history better than Tim Dorsey? Electric Barracuda is a shining example of classic absurdist fiction. It focuses on the experiences of characters and their seemingly meaningless actions and events. By making use of dark humor, abasement of reason and bizarre philosophy, Dorsey opens a peep hole into American culture. The characters are amusing, fully-developed, inventive and most of all, the events are a fast-paced blast that will have the reader laughing until they weep (and then questioning whether the author was sober at any stage of the writing process). Of course, in this case, it's a good thing. An untamed ride ensues mingling past and present, which are in continual conflict. This instigates an appeal to the nature vs. nurture theory (I'll let readers chew on that for a while). To say this is just a satire is too simplistic and would be a crime against literature and possibly a felony against humanity. Did I go too far? True of most absurdist fiction, Electric Barracuda is deeply thematic and creatively communicative. The moral is not explicit and allows the reader to reflect and come to their own conclusion. The world is a dirty, gritty place and doing something wrong for the right reasons is so very forgivable and enduring. Tim Dorsey has earned his way onto my fan shelf. I'll be reading more twisted tales by this author soon.

[maribs_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Everyone is blogging these days, including Serge, the lovable serial killer of Tim Dorsey's novel, Electric Barracuda. Serge has an idea - a tourist romp through Florida as a fugitive. a In the process of "researching" for his website, he finds himself along with his sidekick, Coleman, truly on the run as Mahoney and some other bumbling detectives try to catch him. A fun and hilarious book which, it turns out, is part of a long running series. Who knew? Well, many people did except for me. This is the first book I have read- number 13 in the Serge A. Storms series- and I am surprised I hadn't heard of them before now. Having not read the previous books I was not as familiar with the characters as I should be. The story revolves around Serge and Coleman and knowing them would help immensely in understanding them, their relationship and appeal, as well as the detectives chasing them. Having said that, I still really enjoyed this tour of Florida through the characters' criminal eyes and I look forward to getting my hands on books 1-12. Here is the list of books for everyone else interested in reading this fun series:Florida RoadkillHammerhead Ranch Motel Orange Crush Triggerfish TwistThe Stingray ShuffleCadillac BeachTorpedo JuiceThe Big BambooHurricane PunchAtomic LobsterNuclear JellyfishGator A-Go-Go Electric Barracuda

[stretch_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The adventure that follows is just plain fun, fast paced, and a times very funny. Like all Dorsey novels great for weekend read or quick trip to Florida.

[murdermysterymayhem · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride!Electric Barracuda is an homage to the classic crime caper with slapstick humor, great escapes, and a cast of crazy characters. In number thirteen of the series, Dorsey has produced another novel that will make you laugh-out-loud at the most inappropriate times. Who roots for the serial killer? You will.Serge Storms the over-the-top, Florida history obsessed, vigilante justice dispensing murderer, and his chemically enhanced sidekick, Coleman, are on a whirlwind tour of Florida to test out Serge's latest entrepreneurial adventure, The Fugitive Tour. While conducting assessments of escape routes, hide outs, and disguises, Serge and Coleman unwittingly become the target of a man hunt. The past has a way of catching up, and though all the dead guys they’ve left behind deserved it, the police don't seem to see the humor in death by irony. With their criminal history snapping at their heels Serge and Coleman manage to stay one step ahead of the law and an odd entourage of characters including a bounty hunter, a shady lawyer, and a beautiful mystery woman. The plot thickens.If you've dreamt up ways to cleverly dispose of bodies, have longed to be politically incorrect, and want to leave reality very far behind then dive into the Everglades with Serge and Coleman. It will be a crazy ride and anything remotely socially acceptable won’t be coming along. Escape......

[tommyb_50 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Electric Barracuda is the latest in Tim Dorsey's series about Serge, a slightly crazy, sometimes-compulsive eccentric who also is a serial killer of people make the world better with their demise. It is set in a Florida that, in the tradition of several other writers, including Carl Hiassen and Elmore Leonard, is filled with crazies, alligators and swamps -- and, of course, the Everglades. In one sense, the book is wonderful -- virtually a primer on the non-South Beach, non-Disney Florida. His descriptions of Everglades City and Chokoloskee are nearly perfect, as I can attest, having been there only 45 days ago, although as usual he overplays the bizarre. However, the book is not up to Dorsey's usual standards. His dialogue, which always is clipped, and his exposition, which always is minimal, reach a new level of clipped-ness and minimality. Sometimes it's a little hard to follow what is going on. On the whole, the book is a worthwhile read if you like Dorsey's style, and some of the pages are laugh-out-loud funny. But don't read this expecting it to be Dorsely's best.

[agirlandherbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Florida’s preeminent psycho trickster is up to more hilarious hijinks in Electric Barracuda, his thirteenth excursion across the Sunshine State. Not only is a full posse of federal agents trailing Serge and Coleman up and down Florida, but they’re saddled with a new partner, surprisingly dropped on them by the ever-malicious Molly. Not to mention Doberman, an idiotic motorcycle-mounted bounty hunter accompanied by busty chicks and a bus screeching Kiss tunes, and the venal lawyer Brad Meltzer (Tim Dorsey must have lost a bet to his fellow author), who’s trying to cheat the very clients – Serge’s grandfather and his pals – who trusted him with their Prohibition-era secret. And, of course, the ever-present Agent Mahoney, whose presence delivers a shocker Dorsey obviously saved for the magic number 13.

[rosscavins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have never read a Tim Dorsey novel but being a Carl Hiaasen fan, he was recommended to me. I must say that I was not disappointed.Dorsey has a similar style and wit to Hiaasen, but his delivery is much dryer, almost British in a way. Because his style is so different, I had trouble getting into the characters in the beginning.That being said, once I figured out the two main characters' personalities were sarcastic most of the time, I began to get sucked in.And while I lacked the character history of this obviously mid-series novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Dorsey did a great job of introducing them to me without subjecting me to "repeat material." He did what you're supposed to do, work in the backstory little by little.Dorsey has given me another star to shoot for in my own writing.While I won't give this book five stars, I'll say this: I bought another Tim Dorsey novel to read. That should sum up my review perfectly.

[brendajanefrank · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The “Electric Barracuda” is classic Serge: a wild, crazy ride through the Florida Everglades and surrounds. Having recently returned from a camping/kayaking trip in the some of the places Serge visited, I particularly took pleasure in his travels. Ten Thousand Islands, The Rod and Gun Club, Smallwood’s Store and Chokoloskee are quite familiar to me.Serge is comparable to Hiaasen’s Skink character. Woe betide anyone who assaults the environment, children, defenseless animals, his friends or family, or his cherished historical sites. That person should be very, very afraid, for Serge will definitely extract revenge, creatively yet often fatally. Yes, Serge is guilty of multiple murders. In his view, they are not really murders but just retribution for unforgivable crimes.My experience with “Electric Barracuda” had many laugh out loud moments. In my opinion, any book that evokes this response is successful. Serge’s adventures are appalling, outrageous and hilarious. Join him on this astonishing tour of the Florida seldom seen.

[woodsathome · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

For the uninitiated Serge A. Storms is a cross between Dexter and Dirk Gently (Douglas Addams' holistic detective). Sure he's a serial killer - but he only kills the bad guys (and only in the most inventive ways). He is both hyper aware of his surroundings (he can tell you the tiniest historical details of every roadside attraction and gift shop) and sublimely unaware (all those cops surrounding our motel room must be after some really bad (other) guy).The Mikey scenes bugged and the ending seemed contrived, but it was still a rollicking good read.

[glendalea_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The latest Serge saga is one of the funnier ones in the series. Tim Dorsey keeps the action going, and adds a few extra twists, including an ending revelation that left me looking forward to the next book. There were a couple of scenes that could have used a rewriting (or deletion), but overall, a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.

[finsrandl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This review is of the Publisher-provided galley proof and may or may not reflect the final product as distributed.Serge Storms is back in Tom Dorsey's latest Florida-based novel and that may (or may not) be a good thing dependent on you point of view! I've read all of Dorsey's offerings to date and I must admit I'm still unsure as to my overall opinion. His latest offering - "Electric Barracuda" has done little to settle my indecision. My overall rating of 2.5 stars is reflective of my enjoyment - and frustration - with the novel.First the good... "Electric Barracuda" fills the bill for a fun, no-frills read. Unpretentious and light, it's a great read for sitting by the pool or on one of the sun-filled Florida beaches. The pacing is quick and Dorsey's dialog is tight, quick-witted, and humorous as usual. The action is also Dorsey's usual slapstick variety and rarely fails to amuse. That being said, far and away my favorite portions of the book were Dorsey's forays into Florida history and those little known places and people that made that history. I've visited many of the places on Storms' "Fugitive Tour" and now have many more to add to my must-visit list thanks to this book! So, in effect, 4 stars for setting, dialog, pacing, and series continuity.Now, the not so good...There have been several areas of Dorsey's novels I haven't enjoyed as much and "Electric Barracuda" was no different. First, While the novels are definitely light-hearted comedic reads featuring slapstick action and over the top characterizations, many of the situations just require too much suspension of belief and acceptance of the inane for my tastes. In particular, several of the near-misses and last minute escapes Serge experiences throughout the story were so outrageous they actually detracted from the story. Second, Dorsey writes great dialogue, keenly defines action, and vividly describes settings and people. However, the prose drags and struggles in his too frequent shifts into the pseudo stream-of-consciousness ramblings of Storms' and Coleman's ramblings. These forays feel out of place when read in the novel and distract from the overall enjoyment of the read. Lastly, as with previous books in the series, Dorsey devotes significant amount of time and effort in developing multiple, interwoven plots lines. Each unto itself work very well and are independently enjoyable. However - fair warning for the reader - don't get too invested in any given plotline. As with previous Storms novels, these (often more interesting) subplots are usually 'wrapped up' with a few concise sentences toward the end of the book regardless of the amount of time and effort invested throughout the entire book. So...something far less than 4 stars for continuity of prose, pushing the slapstick envelop a bit too far, and investing the reader in dynamic subplots without an adequate conclusion.All in all, I'll probably give Dorsey and Serge Storms another chance with the next book in the series but that may be my last.

[mybookbarn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Electric Barracuda is a rip roaring ride! You'll be riding along in the Barracuda with quirky serial killer Serge Storms & his stoner friend Coleman. They're on the uproarious run through Florida from law enforcement, a mystery man & the Doberman, who reminds you of a very clumsy Dog the Bounty Hunter.Not only will you go on the run with them through the Everglades while laughing out loud, you'll learn a little history of Florida as well! Like Al Capone's hideout.Though you would think you couldn't come to like a serial killer I certainly did! Not only because of his quirky antics, but he's not your typical serial killer! He runs across most unlikable people who, ironically, are out to harm others.This was a fast paced, laugh out loud, entertaining read. This is the first book I've ever read of Dorsey's & I can't wait to pick up the previous books in this series! Speaking of which...I found you don't have to have read the previous books to easily follow along with Dorsey's latest! I highly recommend this book & it has easily made it onto my list of favorite quick/entertaining reads!

[gillten24 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Electric Barracuda was my introduction to Serge Storms, and overall it was a positive experience. I loved the humor of the book, but after a while, the conversations became almost predictable. I don't live in Florida, but I imagine that Floridians would find a little more to connect with which may keep the interest piqued all the way through. It was decent, but the sophomoric parts are a little tiring and the story just didn't hook me. 3 stars for some witty humor.

[jrr731 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another hilarious romp thru the Florida landscape as only Serge Storms could present it. The story starts at a lightning pace and only gets faster and stranger as you follow Serge on another impropable adventure. My advice is strap yourself in its's going to be a wild ride.

[fmrox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fast paced ride through the fugitive of Florida while serial killer Serge A. Storms blogs about his vacation. He has a surprise new edition to the tour. A long lost relative makes an appearance.This is my first dive into the hilarious, schizophrenic, manic adventures with Serge. He's so charming and entertaining you almost forget he's a killer...almost. But, he kills off just the undesirables. His sidekick Coleman is a complete buffoon and you wonder what idiotic thing he'll do next. This novel is fast paced, so hold on to your seat for the ride!

[laurakcurtis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I find myself conflicted as to how to review this book. Parts of it I loved--they were funny, action-oriented, and tightly written. But others dragged or seemed forced. Especially those with Mikey. Seriously, I know it's a comedy, but the "how do we deal with a kid" bits were too over the top for my taste.Serge Storms is on the run...sort of. Like Dexter, Serge never kills anyone who doesn't need killing and his methods are both unusual and often brutally hilarious. Serge and his stoner companion, Coleman, cut a swath across Florida as Serge creates his new business--the fugitive tour. Because all the best parts of Florida are places only seen when you're on the run, of course. Little does Serge know, he's not imagining the massive manhunt trailing him. It's led not only by the FBI, but also by "Doberman," an inept TV-reality-show bounty hunter.I loved, loved, loved the old gang, and all the bits of the "fugitive tour," and Serge's website, and overall I'd absolutely say this book is worth reading, just maybe not in hardcover.

[gailo_11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Serge Storms, hyperactive serial killer and Florida-phile, and his stoner friend Coleman return for another adventure. In Electric Barracuda Serge decides to pay homage to car chase movies, embarking on a fugitive tour of Florida. He and Coleman stay one step ahead of a gaggle of pursuers, including law enforcement officers, a Mystery Man, and The Doberman, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Dog the Bounty Hunter. It is particularly remarkable that they repeatedly elude capture, given that all of his pursuers are getting updates on his whereabouts from his website, where he details his activities and his plans. A second parallel storyline involves Al Capone's Everglades hideout and a search for his hidden treasure. Serge leads us all on a tour of the backwaters and obscure museums of southern Florida, giving us all a history lesson in very entertaining fashion. And along the way Serge finds inventive ways to kill a few people who deserve it. Electric Barracuda is great fun, as are all the novels in the series. I enjoyed Lowe and White, the new police officers introduced, and there are a couple of very interesting surprises near the end. Electric Barracuda made me want to go back and read the series all over again, and so I would have to say it is a very successful addition to the series.

[hermit_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Welcome to a tour of Florida with narration on history and geography by Serge A. Storms. Yes...Serge has found the Internet and has created a blog. He is writing about the best way too tour the sunshine state...as a fugitive. See the real Florida not designed for the tourist. Of course Serge wants everything to be authentic so he and his sidekick Coleman pretend they are on the run from the law and test out his tour before he blogs about the experience.His 'Fugitive Tour' is more real than Serge thinks as law enforcement is on his trail seeking to apprehend him every step of the way. Coleman as usual is always thinking about what he can next put into his mouth for his personal entertainment. And anyone who crosses their path who does not meet up with Serge's ethical standard meets and innovative untimely end. To share too much more would be a spoiler but know the books title will become obvious and we will see a few old characters pop back in and some old story lines touched upon. If you have not read a Serge novel before I would not start with this one. Though it is a short page turning read that you will finish in no time.