The Bookworm Sez: Enjoy the mayhem in 'Shark Skin Suite'

The Bookworm Sez: Enjoy the mayhem in ‘Shark Skin Suite’

Always be kind to others.

Consider the feelings of your fellow humans. Treat them as you would be treated. That’s the Golden Rule, something you learned early-on.

Being kind makes life smoother, quid pro quo, tit for tat — and besides, as in the new novel “Shark Skin Suite” by Tim Dorsey (c.2015, William Morrow, $26.99, 323 pages), you never know who you might meet up with, and whether or not they’ll have a gun.

When the mortgage crisis hit America, homeowners in Florida were among the most affected. Foreclosures, therefore, were altogether too common and lots of people lost their homes.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

For Serge Storms, abandoned houses were four walls of opportunity. He and his sidekick, Coleman, could move into an empty house, sleep in a dry room, steal electricity from the neighbors, and not worry about paying. Empty homes were great places to think, and to plan for Serge’s new job as a legal “fixer.”

Being a fixer was only half his future, though. Once he also figured out how to practice law without actually going to law school, Serge could easily, more efficiently deal with criminals — although using them for experiments was way more interesting.

In the meantime, Serge was wanted for several murders around Florida .

Following a bold move and a big win in a pro-bono case, attorney Brook Campanella was surprised to receive a job offer from Florida’s most prestigious law firm. Working for Shapiro, Heathcote-Mendacious and Blatt would be a privilege with a hotter paycheck, but legal-aid work was far from corporate law and the latter wasn’t good for Brook’s nerves: on her first day, she was assigned as a lead prosecutor in one of Florida’s biggest corporate cases, a suit against a major bank. An equally inexperienced colleague would be co-counsel.

It was obvious from the beginning that the case was doomed.

The only pleasant thing was that proceedings were moved to Key West, and Brook knew that area well. Back when she was a paralegal, she fell in love with a guy who showed her around, took her to bars, had a few laughs.

Man, she hadn’t thought of Serge Storms in ages …

Sometimes, I’d like to see inside author Tim Dorsey’s head.

What kind of mind creates such wild mayhem, such Rube-Goldberg-like chaos, and wraps it in a Fortean ending that works? Who else writes serious, almost angry rants and sticks them inside uproarious pandemonium?

Yep, that’s what you get when you read “Shark Skin Suite.” You get to spend time with Dorsey’s Serge Storms, a moral Robin-Hood-like genius with a creatively murderous streak. You get to see Coleman, as usual, fall under the hilarious influence of multiple substances. And this time, you get to meet four new (and equally disorderly) miscreants and one big bombshell.

If you’re new to Dorsey’s novels, beware that the first two-thirds of this book are pure free-for-all. If you’re new, breathe deep and just try to enjoy the ride — but if you’re a fan, head to the bookstore. You already know that “Shark Skin Suite” is your kinda book.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Email her at bookwormsez@yahoo.com.

More in Life

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
America’s favorite culinary representative

The original recipe for ranch dressing was invented and perfected in Alaska, out in the bush in 1949.

Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna announces finalists for ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

Public voting will be open until July 20 to determine the winners.

Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)
July events to provide entertainment and fun on lower Kenai Peninsula

Events include the Highland Games, Concert on the Lawn, local art camps and the Ninilchik Rodeo.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Flashback dreams and the cold sweats

When summer arrives, every personage in the known cosmos suddenly seems to remember that they have kindred living in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Freedom is not what you think

If freedom isn’t what we first think it is, what is it?

This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 1

Frank Rowley made one of the most important steps toward modernization in the history of Kenai.

This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crepes of a different color

This rainbow cake celebrates Pride with layers of colored crepes.

”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Fine art in invented spaces

Anchor Point artist showcases his skills with exhibit of acrylic paintings.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.