http://joys.net/7431/when-elves-attack-a-joyous-christmas-greeting-from-the-criminal-nutbars-of-the-sunshine-state-serge-storms/ Bringing Joys and Happiness Fri, 13 Mar 2020 09:48:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.2 http://joys.net/7431/when-elves-attack-a-joyous-christmas-greeting-from-the-criminal-nutbars-of-the-sunshine-state-serge-storms/#comment-20184 Donald Capone "Donald Capone" Mon, 09 Dec 2013 05:22:38 +0000 http://joys.net/7431/when-elves-attack-a-joyous-christmas-greeting-from-the-criminal-nutbars-of-the-sunshine-state-serge-storms/#comment-20184 Merry Christmas to you, Serge! A heads up: Long time fans of the Serge Storms series who know the characters, history, and inside jokes will appreciate this slightly-shorter-than-usual novel. The plot, however, is a little thinner than usual, and the bad guys aren’t very evil; mostly it’s just Serge’s exaggerated take on Christmas. But still hilarious. If you haven’t read any of the earlier novels, I’d suggest with starting at the beginning of the series instead on this one. I consider this novel a Christmas present from Dorsey (and Serge) to his long time fans. That being said…Serial killer Serge Storms and his stoner sidekick Coleman are back in this Christmas-themed novel from author Tim Dorsey. I’ve been a fan of this series for a long time now. Dorsey is a sick man, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. His writing is manic, frantic, and funny. Not only does he continue to come up with new scenarios for his wacky characters, but he also gets to make fun of topical issues at the same time. Whether it’s the way the news media over-covers stories, or the way we view our elders (see the G-Unit), or the way Florida’s cheesy, but unique landmarks from the 50s and 60s are slowly being replaced by strip malls. In this book, Serge sets out to take back Christmas. The new PC rules dictates “Season’s Greetings” should replace the old reliable “Merry Christmas.” Serge sets out to correct this, plus he plans to have his biggest Christmas ever! Of course the ever-hyper ADD Serge has many distractions along the way–simple things like murdering a few people, abducting some others, and continuing to meddle in old friend Jim Davenport’s life (for better or worse). And, as usual, we get to go along for the deranged ride.In fact, every time I read another Serge Storms novel, I feel slightly crazy myself afterward, especially when Serge’s logic begins to make sense. I think mental health workers should contact Mrs. Dorsey as a precaution, make sure Tim is alright. Like undercover cops who become criminals themselves, I fear the worst for Dorsey. But he keeps pumping out these wacky novels, and we get to read them!

]]> http://joys.net/7431/when-elves-attack-a-joyous-christmas-greeting-from-the-criminal-nutbars-of-the-sunshine-state-serge-storms/#comment-20183 Scott Schiefelbein Mon, 09 Dec 2013 05:13:28 +0000 http://joys.net/7431/when-elves-attack-a-joyous-christmas-greeting-from-the-criminal-nutbars-of-the-sunshine-state-serge-storms/#comment-20183 Serge and Coleman, taking Christmas big! Full disclosure – I picked up Tim Dorsey’s latest Serge Storms novel, “When Elves Attack,” immediately after finishing George R. R. Martin’s massive tome, “A Dance With Dragons.” With all due respect to Mr. Martin and his book, which I enjoyed, words cannot express the joy of reading a new Dorsey novel – he packs more gonzo delight into 200 pages than any reader, sane or otherwise, can expect.Serge Storms loves Christmas and is willing to fight for it. Considering that Serge is a serial killer par excellence, that should be troubling to some. Not for us, though, as we get to ride along with Serge (and perpetually stoned sidekick Coleman) for a pell-mell paean to all that is good and true about Florida and the holidays.Serge is one of those characters you kind of wish was in your life, if only because Serge solves problems. Granted, he does so in an unusual way, but when Serge solves a problem it tends to remain solved. And who doesn’t have problems over the holidays? If you’ve got a mother-in-law who never stops reminding you of your shortcomings? Call Serge. If your teenage daughter wants a tattoo or gets in over her head with guy named Snake? Call Serge. If you just don’t know what to get your wife for Christmas? Umm, better not call Serge.”When Elves Attack” is a flat-out hilarious walk through the silliness of the holiday season in the land where it never snows. It’s much shorter than your average Serge Storms novel, but it has as many laughs per page as the others do, if not more. And Dorsey treats us to a few episodes of Florida justice, Serge style.So grab this book and make it an annual holiday read. Sure, it may never replace “Twas the Night Before Christmas” as a story you’d want to read aloud to the kids on Christmas Eve, but it will sure help you smile as the family invades and you haven’t bought all the presents and your mom and your wife are already at it and . . .

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