DORSEY, Tim 1961-

PERSONAL: Born 1961, in IN; married; children: two daughters. Education: Auburn University, B.S., 1983.

ADDRESSES: Home—Tampa, FL. Agent—c/o Author Mail, HarperCollins, 10 East 53rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Alabama Journal, Montgomery, police and courts reporter, 1983-87; Tampa Tribune, Tampa, FL, general assignment reporter, copy-desk editor, political reporter, 1987-94, night metro editor, night news coordinator, 1994-99.

WRITINGS:

"SERGE STORMS" SERIES

Florida Roadkill: A Novel, Morrow (New York, NY), 1999.

Hammerhead Ranch Motel: A Novel, Morrow (New York, NY), 2000.

Orange Crush: A Novel, Morrow (New York, NY), 2001.

Triggerfish Twist: A Novel, Morrow (New York, NY), 2002.

The Stingray Shuffle: A Novel, Morrow (New York, NY), 2003.

SIDELIGHTS: Tim Dorsey worked as a reporter, editor and news coordinator before becoming a full-time author. His novels are set in Florida, where he lives.

Dorsey's debut novel, Florida Roadkill tells the story of Serge Storms and his sidekick, Coleman, two con men. Sharon, a con woman and addict, secretly videotapes dentist Dr. Veale in the back room of a strip club. In order to keep Serge and Coleman quiet about the secret tape, Veale agrees to having his hands, which are insured for five million dollars, injured. Coleman and Serge want the insurance money, which Veale hides in the car of two men who leave the club not knowing about the money. What results is a chase through the state of Florida by the two con men and others looking to get rich quick. "Dorsey's wicked sense of humor and astounding knowledge of Florida's history and legends add levity and local color to this dark tale," noted Library Journal contributor Thomas L. Kilpatrick.

Serge is back in Dorsey's second novel, Hammerhead Ranch Motel. Serge is still searching for the five million dollars he was first after in Florida Roadkill. Serge and his new partner Lenny Lippowicz track the money and believe it is with the owner of the Hammerhead Ranch Motel. Serge and Lenny rent a room and wait for the perfect opportunity to nab the money. While they wait they meet the strange guests that are staying at the motel. Mystery Net contributor Anya R. Weber claimed, "Dorsey soars to glorious heights on the wings of his own absurdity."

Dorsey's third novel, Orange Crush, deals with Florida politics. Florida's governorship is between Marlon Conrad and Gomer Tatum. Something snaps in Conrad, and he takes off on a crazy election tour in a bright orange, second-hand Winnebago. Along the way Conrad meets some interesting people, including Serge. Opponent Tatum soon follows Conrad and eventually challenges him to a wrestling match that will decide who the next governor will be. "If 200-proof satire is your drink of choice, Dorsey is the guy you want behind the bar," concluded Booklist contributor Bill Ott.

In Triggerfish Twist Serge, Coleman, and Sharon are living on Triggerfish Lane in Tampa, Florida. Jim Davenport and his family move to Triggerfish Lane when Jim accepts a transfer from Wisconsin. Jim is a quiet man who doesn't like to argue or fight with anyone. He moved to the wrong street, however, if he was searching for peace and quiet. His neighbors include drug users, psychotics, and other sleazy people. Serge tries to protect Jim and his family from the other neighbors. Book Reporter contributor Joe Hartlaub praised, "With Triggerfish Twist, Dorsey has transformed himself from an author to be enjoyed to an artist whose next book will be anticipated with as much fervor as this one will be enjoyed."

Dorsey's fifth "Serge Storms" novel, The Stingray Shuffle, still finds Serge on the trail of the elusive five million dollars from Florida Roadkill. But now others, including Russian gangsters masquerading as Latinos, join the hunt. Booklist's David Pitt called the novel "a brilliantly constructed romp."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, April 15, 1999, George Needham, review of Florida Roadkill, p. 1471; May 15, 2000, George Needham, review of Hammerhead Ranch Motel, p. 1733; May 1, 2001, Bill Ott and Brad Hooper, review of Florida Roadkill, p. 1603; May 1, 2001, Bill Ott, review of Orange Crush, p. 1630; February 15, 2003, David Pitt, review of The Stingray Shuffle, p. 1053.

Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 1999, review of Florida Roadkill, p. 817; May 15, 2001, review of Orange Crush, p. 680; March 1, 2002, review of Triggerfish Twist, p. 290; December 1, 2002, review of The Stingray Shuffle, p. 1735.

Library Journal, June 15, 1999, Thomas L. Kilpatrick, review of Florida Roadkill, p. 105; June 15, 2000, Thomas L. Kilpatrick, review of Hammerhead Ranch Motel, p. 112; June 15, 2001, Thomas L. Kilpatrick, review of Orange Crush, p. 102.

Publishers Weekly, July 5, 1999, review of Florida Roadkill, p. 58; August 30, 1999, Judy Quinn, "Roadkill the Rage in Florida," p. 23; July 31, 2000, review of Hammerhead Ranch Motel, p. 70; July 9, 2001, p. 49; March 1, 2002, review of Triggerfish Twist, p. 37; January 6, 2003, review of The Stingray Shuffle, p. 42.

ONLINE

Alabama Bound Web site,http://www.alabamabound.org/ (August 29, 2002), "Tim Dorsey."

Book Page,http://www.bookpage.com/ (August 29, 2002), review of Florida Roadkill.

Book Reporter,http://www.bookreporter.com/ (August 29, 2002), reviews of Orange Crush and Triggerfish Twist.

Books 'n' Bytes,http://www.booksnbytes.com/ (August 29, 2002), Harriet Klausner, review of Florida Roadkill and Hammerhead Ranch Motel.

Fire and Water,http://www.fireandwater.com/ (August 29, 2002), review of Hammerhead Ranch Motel and interview with Dorsey.

HarperCollins Web site,http://www.harpercollins.com/ (August 29, 2002).

Murder on Miami Beach Web site,http://www.murderonmiamibeach.com/ (August 29, 2002), review of Orange Crush, Hammerhead Ranch Motel, and Florida Roadkill.

Mystery Net,http://www.mysterynet.com/ (August 29, 2002), Anya R. Weber, review of Hammerhead Ranch Motel.

New York Times on the Web,http://www.nytimes.com/ (August 27, 2002).

Tim Dorsey Web site,http://www.timdorsey.com (August 29, 2002).*