Tourist Season

A newspaper columnist in Miami becomes the leader of a militant group determined to sabotage Florida's tourism industry. The group launches a campaign of chaos across the state, targeting visitors and tourism-related businesses. Skip Wiley and his band of misfits execute increasingly dramatic schemes while being pursued by private investigator Brian Keyes, who was once Wiley's colleague at the newspaper. Their cat-and-mouse game plays out against the backdrop of Florida's beaches, theme parks, and swamplands. Through dark humor and social commentary, Tourist Season explores themes of environmental destruction, cultural identity, and the impact of mass tourism on local communities. The narrative examines the clash between Florida's natural heritage and its transformation into a commercial playground.

Readers call it a darkly comedic crime novel that blends absurdist Florida humor with violence. Many compare it to Carl Hiaasen's style but note Dorsey takes a more over-the-top approach. Readers appreciate: - Fast-paced action and outrageous scenarios - Accurate depiction of Florida's quirks and culture - Mix of humor and suspense - Character of Serge Storms Common criticisms: - Too violent/graphic for some tastes - Plot can feel scattered and chaotic - Humor sometimes feels forced - Characters lack depth "Like Hiaasen on crack," noted one Amazon reviewer. Another called it "Florida weirdness cranked up to 11." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,000+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (900+ ratings) While some readers found it too extreme, most who enjoy Florida crime comedy rate it favorably, calling it an entertaining, if unhinged, read.

Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen A private investigator uncovers criminal schemes in Florida's competitive bass fishing circuit while encountering eccentric characters and dark humor.

The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie An ex-military man becomes entangled in arms dealing conspiracies while navigating absurd situations with deadpan wit.

Big Trouble by Dave Barry A chain of events involving a hitman, a bomb, and various Miami residents intersects through coincidences and criminal mishaps.

Florida Roadkill by Tim Dorsey Two criminals chase drug money across Florida while leaving chaos and bodies in their wake.

Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen A lottery winner faces off against religious zealots and criminals in a battle for the winning ticket through the Florida landscape.

🌴 Tourist Season was Tim Dorsey's debut novel, published in 1999, launching his successful career writing Florida crime fiction. 🔍 The book's protagonist, Serge A. Storms, became such a popular character that he has appeared in over 20 subsequent novels by Dorsey. 📰 Before becoming a novelist, Dorsey worked as a newspaper reporter in Florida, which helped inform the journalism elements in Tourist Season and his other works. 🐊 The novel's plot about terrorizing tourists in Florida was partially inspired by real concerns about tourism's impact on Florida's environment and culture in the 1990s. 🌺 Carl Hiaasen, another famous Florida crime writer, praised the book, calling it "a relentlessly twisted and outrageously funny novel" - helping establish Dorsey in the genre.