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Atomic Lobster (Serge Storms Mystery #10)

3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 · rating details · 1,500 ratings · 147 reviews

Why is everyone rushing to flee Tampa on a cruise ship to hell?

Serge is back with a bullet, torn between homicide and souvenirs. So is Coleman, torn between getting hammered and getting more hammered. Then there's good ol' Jim Davenport, the E-Team, the Diaz Brothers, and Johnny Vegas, the Accidental Virgin, cranking up the fevered action as the pot boils over on a street...more

ebook, 400 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by HarperCollins e-books (first published January 22nd 2008)

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Aug 25, 2008 Gary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you've read Tim Dorsey, you know what to expect: black comedy thrown in your face at a manic pace, an unrelenting joyride so fast and furious that it almost makes reading an aerobic exercise. Like the venerable Carl Hiaasen, Dorsey taps into Florida's seemingly endless source of material provided by its wacky residents and sordid history, an embarrassment of riches in the outlandish and the unthinkable that is uniquely the Sunshine State. And like Hiaasen, Dorsey is passionately protective of...more If you've read Tim Dorsey, you know what to expect: black comedy thrown in your face at a manic pace, an unrelenting joyride so fast and furious that it almost makes reading an aerobic exercise. Like the venerable Carl Hiaasen, Dorsey taps into Florida's seemingly endless source of material provided by its wacky residents and sordid history, an embarrassment of riches in the outlandish and the unthinkable that is uniquely the Sunshine State. And like Hiaasen, Dorsey is passionately protective of Florida's natural beauty and heritage, a fierce preservationist you uses cynical humor to attack the developers and other despoilers of Florida landscape and culture. But compared to Dorsey's amphetamine-like rush, colored with violence so creative one nearly forgets the brutality, Hiaasen's clever prose and well crafted characters lose color.

Back with a vengeance - literally - is Serge Storms, and predictably, sex, murder, drugs, more murder, more sex, and history - the usual Dorsey fare. In Serge, Dorsey has concocted one of the most lovably bizarre characters of pop fiction, the serial killer with an encyclopedic knowledge of all-things-Florida and a refreshingly black-and-white sense of frontier justice that he delivers without hesitation and without remorse. Coleman, his loyal and in his perpetual drug and alcohol induced coma is back as well, providing an extra dose of comic relief - as if more was needed - as well as contrast to Serge's drug and alcohol free regimen. Not that plot matters much to Dorsey - or his readers - but "Atomic Lobster" mostly picks up where "Triggerfish Twist" left off, with the despicably dangerous Tex McGraw out of jail and Hell-bent for revenge on the docile Jim Davenport and his family. But what follows is not all "decapitation-by-train" or "bobbing-for-fried-catfish-in-boiling-oil" depravity. Dorsey has a keen and insightful understanding of American culture - from cruise ships to the NFL to drug smuggling - as well as the human soul - both peaks and depths - and has an unparalleled knack of capturing these wildly diverse topics in prose that is zany, entertaining, outrageous, and, paradoxically meaningful. Like the best stand up comics, Dorsey knows it's all about timing, and uses bits of nonlinearity and a keen sense of pace in delivering his screwball goods. If you've never had the pleasure of a Tim Dorsey novel, this is probably not the best place to start - "Hammerhead Ranch Motel" is as good as any for some indoctrination.

In short, don't let the frantic antics of Serge and the strong cast of supporting actors camouflage Dorsey's genius: this is pop fiction as good as it gets, a not-too-destructive addiction that will have you laughing out loud while not being able to turn the pages fast enough.
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Oct 14, 2011 Alpha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"This is the tenth book by Dorsey and in a way this is also the reunion book by him as well for it seems everyone is coming back in this novel. City and Country, Chi Chi, Johnny Vegas, the Russian Cartel along with ""El Grande"", Lenny Lipowicz, a new hooker/stripper girl named Rachel who happens to be Sharone's sister, the entire McGraw criminal clan, and of course Jim Davenport and his wife. Everyone seems to be showing up for the reunion all on a cruise liner.

Now this novel surpassed anything...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Paul Pessolano rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is Tim Dorsey's tenth novel featuring Serge A. Stroms and his pal, Coleman. I honestly can't wait until his eleventh will be released.

Serge and Coleman are again touring Florida and its places of interest. They are causing havoc in Tarpon Springs, on Devil's Island, and on the cruise ship SS Serendipity. Serge is protecting a friend from a sadistic killer, trying to keep his daughter from marrying the wrong man, and trying to keep Coleman and a spaced out stripper in line.

If this isn't enou...more

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Jan 16, 2011 John rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's often a fine line authors tread when mixing drama, comedy, mystery, whatever. It takes a certain something to pull it off successfully, and whatever that is, Tim Dorsey has it in spades! The characterization is excellent, the story moves quickly, and, frankly, I had a very hard time putting this one down!
I refuse to give details, other than to say the ending has a twist NO-ONE will see coming. I'm lying. Perhaps I should have said I will give no story details. The characters are as follo...more

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Jan 08, 2011 Tom Croom rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Best. Driving. Audio. Books. Ever.

(Especially of you live in Florida.)

I got introduced to Tim Dorsey's books because he did a book signing at my local small town book store in Florida. Having lived here over twenty years, I'm a sucker for the weirdness of the state I live in. [FARK TAG: Florida].

The smartest thing I ever did, though, was realize that I could listen to Tim's books in the car. I drive around the Sunshine State for business fairly regularly. On any given weekend, I find myself stuc...more

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Jun 27, 2010 stormhawk rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to stormhawk by: Free Kindle Download

Shelves: kindle

This is a difficult book to categorize. It has such a ragingly bad case of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder that I felt like I needed Ritalin to finish it. Skipping around in the time line doesn't help much, either. The characters are plentiful, the plot lines many, the Floridian in-jokes bountiful. At least I think so, I don't know Florida well enough to know that for sure, but I think I'm making a pretty good guess. My only other exposure to the "Florida novel" is through Carl Hiaasen,...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Kara Jorges rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After two less than hilarious books, Tim Dorsey has once again woven a gut-busting Serge and Coleman adventure with a purpose. This one is a little slow out of the gate, taking its time setting the stage and borrowing heavily from past successes before becoming laugh-out-loud funny on nearly every page. Serge and Coleman set up digs in a rundown hotel while Serge is laying low. Meanwhile, Jim Davenport from Triggerfish Twist is still having issues with assertiveness. His wife Martha makes him st...more After two less than hilarious books, Tim Dorsey has once again woven a gut-busting Serge and Coleman adventure with a purpose. This one is a little slow out of the gate, taking its time setting the stage and borrowing heavily from past successes before becoming laugh-out-loud funny on nearly every page. Serge and Coleman set up digs in a rundown hotel while Serge is laying low. Meanwhile, Jim Davenport from Triggerfish Twist is still having issues with assertiveness. His wife Martha makes him start attending a nonconfrontationalist support group, where he meets up with Serge, whose psychiatrist suggested he start attending such meetings after beating up everyone in the anger management group for being rude. Jim is less than enthusiastic about their reunion, but Serge renews his vow to keep Jim safe from harm, particularly as mass murderer Tex McGraw is now on the loose and coming after Jim. First, Serge leads the nonconfrontationalists on an unauthorized field trip to visit some shady movers who took advantage of the Davenports—wearing Seven Dwarves masks.

At the same time, a group of old ladies discovers the joys and financial benefits of cruises, inadvertently becoming targeted by smugglers, while Jim settles into his new neighborhood filled with football stars and beautiful people. Serge, after accidentally upsetting Martha, decides to keep his surveillance secret and gets a position housesitting at a place down the street, complete with substance-hoovering Coleman and Rachel, an attractive young floozy who parties as enthusiastically as Coleman. While Coleman throws the party of the century, Serge keeps an eagle eye out for Tex McGraw. Add some clueless FBI agents and a secret assassin, toss them all on a cruise ship, and, as only Dorsey can do, this eclectic mix of characters and agendas all comes together, the fun in seeing how it all winds up. Though slow to gain momentum, once this story gets going, the laughs come fast and furious. Several plot devices from previous novels were put into play to pull this one off, but the bottom line is, it’s very funny, which is why I read Dorsey. Once again, he’s in top form.
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Oct 03, 2012 Libby rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: made-me-laugh

Well here we are again, cruising along through Florida's rapidly vanishing historic sites, with Serge Storms and a cast of thousands of zany, improbable Floridians. His buddy Coleman is along for the ride, ever vigilant in pursuit of that which can be snorted, chugged or smoked. We have a repeat performance of the self-effacing, amiable Jim Davenport, trying desperately to avoid Serge's gestures of friendship, which thus far have gotten him mugged, beaten, robbed, held at gunpoint and in big tro...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have mixed emotions about this book. When I first started reading I didn't like it. I felt like things were all over the place. I would be reading and all of the sudden it would change to something else and I wouldn't know what was going on.

Example:I was lost during the Greek religious festival. I think if I had known that the young boys standing in their swim suits, the priest officiating, the boys jumping in the water, Serge talking about this being the sponge capital of the world, the boys...more

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Dec 28, 2010 Vicky rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have wanted to read a Tim Dorsey book for a while. But with all the other books waiting for me I’ve been holding off. Vampires… So I’ve got a lateral bite infatuation.

Atomic Lobster seemed it would be my kind of book: Johnny - an accidental virgin, the G-team getting more than Johnny, Jim the accidental hero, Coleman the always hammered, Serge the homicidal maniac but in a good way, Rachael the stripper, the McGraws… it’s a tripped up cast and in Florida, too. But with all the makings of a gre...more

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Jan 02, 2011 L rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-books, first-reads

Wow. I had never read any of Tim Dorsey's works, but now I'm out looking for more! This was a wonderfully addicting story that I read in one sitting (although, I admit, being on a multi-hour car trip did help with this endeavor). The characters are all full of personality, even those that only turn up for a page or two. I was immediately attached to all of them, and I couldn't help but be interested in what happened to each. The plot was also fabulously wound, so that it was wonderfully unpredic...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Brett rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: general-fiction

Tim Dorsey pulls out all the stops yet once again, & has a bit of a character reunion. I love it when he does this, because his characters are so great that you just want to see them again & hear more about what wacky shenanigans they're up to. Serge & co. wind up reuniting with Jim Davenport & his family, whom they spent some wild time with back on Triggerfish Lane. The meanest McGraw is now out of prison, & has his sights set on revenge, but Serge's on hand to make sure Jim...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Sebastian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“This is Serge’s Charm School. We’re teaching manners.”

I am used to getting what I expect with Dorsey, whole bunch of laughs based on an outrageous story line and set of events, and this book is no exception. I did realize that this is not a great book to read on a plane. You will end up getting weird looks when you laugh out loud in instances like the one in which a chick wants to get banged while interacting with other people and trying to get them not to notice what is going on. Classic!

Fans...more

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Jul 25, 2008 Alex DeBlois rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I consider myself well versed in Florida based fiction. From John D McDonald to Carl Hiassen to Randy Wayne White to Barbara Parker to Edna Buchananen, Laurence Shames and many others, the tradition of in your face, over the top action with a nod to the raping of the habitat in Florida by developers has always appealed to me.

I find the latest in the series of Serge Storms and all the regular characters to be a bit thin. There are certainly some inspired insights about the possibility that those...more

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Feb 16, 2008 Sarra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Sarra by: William Morrow Review Copy

Shelves: review-copy

Usually this is the place where a reviewer would discuss a little bit about the plot of a book. With Atomic Lobster that’s just not going to happen. The plot points are so convoluted, and the story is told in such a non-linear way that it would be impossible to do without major spoilers. This is one of those books that the reader just has to pick up and read for themselves without relying on a review to tell them what the book is about. Let’s just say it’s got Florida, and cruise ships, and a Cl...more

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Dec 16, 2010 jen rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wanted-to-finish-but-couldn-t

I was really excited to receive this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Wow. I had to stop reading at page 63. I couldn't force myself to read any more.

I stuck it out that long because I was sure I was simply in the dark about the characters, this being my first Tim Dorsey book.

Yea, not so much! I was constantly confounded by the jumping story lines and not a little bit disgusted by the crudeness of the characters. I'm relatively certain there wasn't a plot. If there was, it was so convoluted I w...more

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Sep 27, 2010 Gina added it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-that-made-me-run-screaming

I really, really tried to read this book. What finally made me run screaming into the night was the constant switching back and forth between characters. A shame because I like just about everything else about Dorsey's style, execept the ever present point of view changes. I've read other books that do this and have enjoyed them but this time, it didn't work for me. I may try another book by Dorsey to see if it's the same thing.

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May 11, 2012 Angela Sweatman rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the 1st Tim Dorsey book i've read. There are 9 Serge Storms books before this one. and i am sure they are all crazy funny like this one. I can't even think of the words to describe. Basically its a crazy killer Serge, who you can't help but love and his perpetually drunk buddy Coleman driving all over Florida, meeting all sorts of crazy characters and getting into all kinds of trouble. too funny

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Jun 25, 2009 Teresa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: friend-rec

Tim Dorsey really knows how to make a serial killer a likeable character. Other than Dexter, I can't think of any other character who regularly and with abandon kills. In fact, even Dexter doesn't kill as randomly. Serge is my kind of fellow--sticks up for his friends and clears all paths to make it "safe" (HA!) for them. The locales and people are spot-on for Florida. I always look forward to his next in edition of the saga.

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Mar 06, 2011 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Julia by: first reads

Shelves: first-reads

This is my first Tim Dorsey novel, but I liked it enough to seek out more of his books. At first glance it reminded me of Carl Hiassen's novels, which I enjoy. There is a cast of wacky characters, good guys, bad guys and some in-between. Takes place in Florida.
When I first started reading, it was a little confusing. As each group of characters was introduced, the timeline jumped around and it was hard to keep everything straight. But after a few chapters, it turned into a regular, linear story a...more

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Jan 07, 2011 Dawn added it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This book was very unusual and I had the hardest time trying to decide whether or not I liked the main character who fits in so well with the atmosphere of the story and the completely ridiculous plot. There were a few pieces of this book I could've done without but that was overshadowed by the parts I did enjoy. It was far from the worse book I've ever read though I'm sad to say the identity of the "undercover agent" was obvious which put a slight damper on the rest of the story's unpredicabili...more

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Dec 15, 2010 Marsha Nelson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was a novice to Tim Dorsey novels and as such was not quite prepared for what hit me as I opened to the first page of Atomic Lobster. It took me a couple of chapters to figure out who was who, what was what, and then to decide if I cared. All the plot lines, characters, and craziness come hurling at "atomic" speed. I think I have been reading too many novels that take themselves seriously.
Not this book, you can sit back, relax and enjoy this book for the craziness and don't worry - not too muc...more

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Apr 04, 2010 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: humor, mystery

I knew nothing about this book, series, or author when I began reading. Dorsey got me with the free Kindle edition offer and I'm glad I downloaded the book. This was just the kind of thing I enjoy reading, a wild romp full of wacky characters, all of them likable in their own ways. I'll be looking for more of Serge (and hopefully the G-Unit!) soon.

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May 16, 2009 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Serge and Coleman again. This time they explore the history and underbelly of Tampa. Not so much driving because they have to protect a newsman from a newly released convict, and the newsman has just moved to an exclusive community on an island. So they get a gig housesitting. Think of the houseguests from hell. No, better yet, read the book.

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Feb 08, 2010 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: humor, mystery

The plot points are so convoluted, and the story is told in such a non-linear way that it would be impossible to do. (This is dark humor.) Dorsey uses FL as a backdrop for his fiction and Serge and Coleman are at it again. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments! Love, love, love Tim Dorsey books! Not for the easily offended.

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May 08, 2013 Martha Klobucar rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love this author. This is the first book I read by him. Serge the serial killer with the heart of gold. This killer finds ways to punish victims to suit their crimes. He loves Florida and his drink and drugs too. I never thought I would laugh out loud to serial killing but I did, and I swear I'm not a psychopath!

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Jan 09, 2010 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, 2010-read-books

I really liked this book from the get go, it immediately grabbed my attention. The story is outrageously funny and twisted at the same time. However by the time I was 75% through, I was ready for it to be over. It got to be a bit too over the top. I will most likely read some of the other stories by this author as it was a change of pace for me.

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May 19, 2009 Margaret rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the nastiest book - nasty words, nasty people, nasty situations. I can't stop reading it though because the main character, Serge, is a Florida trivia and history expert, and it takes place in my stomping grounds - St. Pete. He describes the Sunshine Skyway bridge, US 19, Skyway Jacks, Tarpon Springs, Davis Islands, in a way that no one could, unless he hung out here. Even Jeff Klingenburg doesn't have the local low down like Tim Dorsey. The author does not flatter Florida.

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Jul 09, 2011 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

I received this book from Goodreads, and I have to say that this has to be one of the funniest , craziest Murder, serial killer books I have ever read. Serge A. Storm has to be the greatest antagonism of modern day characters. I apologize for taking so long. Now, I have to go find some more of Tim Dorsey's books.

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May 17, 2010 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Hiassen fans

Recommended to Mary by: probably Amazon

OK - another book I'd already read but forgot :) Usually, I can read a paragraph of two and realize it isn't just deja vu. But Dorsey's books are so fast-moving and filled with so much fun, and so many familiar characters, that it's hard to remember where are I am on my travels with Serge Storms!

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About Tim Dorsey

Tim Dorsey was born in Indiana, moved to Florida at the age of 1, and grew up in a small town about an hour north of Miami called Riviera Beach. He graduated from Auburn University in 1983. While at Auburn, he was editor of the student newspaper, The Plainsman.

From 1983 to 1987, he was a police and courts reporter for The Alabama Journal, the now-defunct evening newspaper in Montgomery. He joined...more

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Books by Tim Dorsey

Florida Roadkill (Serge Storms Mystery, #1)

Hammerhead Ranch Motel (Serge Storms Mystery, #2)

Triggerfish Twist (Serge Storms Mystery, #4)

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Quotes from Atomic Lobster

“Nothing builds confidence like live ammo.” — 9 people liked it

“Jesus. Why'd you do that?" "That motherfucker slapped me!" "And you just kill him?" "You never motherfuckin' hit a woman!" "How could he have missed you dedication of feminine virtue, especially when you keep saying motherfucker?” — 4 people liked it

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Atomic Lobster (Serge Storms Mystery #10)

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