The Big Bamboo

Serial killer Serge A. Storms heads to Hollywood with his drug-addled sidekick Coleman to pursue his latest obsession: writing a screenplay about Florida-based movies. The pair's Hollywood adventure intersects with various movie industry players and schemes. A frustrated screenwriter battles a major studio over rights to his work, leading to a complex web of deception and confrontation. The story takes its name from the Big Bamboo lounge in Florida, which features in the narrative. Dorsey's signature blend of dark humor, crime, and social satire targets the movie industry's excesses while maintaining his focus on Florida's peculiar character and culture. The novel continues the series' examination of greed, corruption, and the sometimes-blurry line between justice and revenge.

Reader reviews indicate this is a lighter entry in the Serge Storms series, focusing more on Hollywood satire than Florida history. Readers appreciated: - The Hollywood/movie industry setting provides fresh material - Fast-paced plot with multiple storylines converging - Return of familiar characters like Coleman - Specific jokes about film industry absurdity Common criticisms: - Less Florida trivia and local color than other books in series - Plot feels scattered and hard to follow - Too many characters to keep track of - Some found the Hollywood satire dated Ratings: Goodreads: 3.93/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Several reviewers noted this book works better for established fans than new readers. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: "If you haven't read earlier Serge books, start with Florida Roadkill or Triggerfish Twist instead - this one assumes you know the characters."

Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen A Florida-based crime novel about a private eye investigating corruption in professional bass fishing tournaments brings the same mix of eccentric characters and dark humor set against a backdrop of Florida's peculiarities.

Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard A Miami loan shark ventures into Hollywood's movie business, navigating through scams and schemes while dealing with colorful criminals and industry insiders.

Cold Storage, Florida by Randy Wayne White A tale set in a small Florida town follows an unlikely crime-solver through a maze of local corruption, featuring offbeat characters and regional commentary.

Hollywood Crows by Joseph Wambaugh Two Los Angeles cops work through Hollywood's underbelly while dealing with movie industry personalities and criminal schemes.

Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen A story centered on a corrupt Florida theme park involves criminal plots, environmental issues, and unusual characters pursuing justice through unconventional means.

🎬 Tim Dorsey worked as a newspaper reporter and editor before becoming a novelist, which influenced his sharp observational style and satirical approach. 🌴 The Big Bamboo lounge, which inspired the book's title, was a real Florida institution in Kissimmee that closed in 2008 after 37 years of operation. 🎥 The novel marks the ninth installment in the Serge A. Storms series, which has grown to over 20 books chronicling the anti-hero's Florida adventures. 📽️ Many of the Florida film locations mentioned in the book are real historical sites, including locations from classic films like "Some Like It Hot" and "Key Largo." 🌟 The character of Serge A. Storms is known for executing elaborate, karma-based punishments using Florida-specific methods, often incorporating local history into his schemes.