Hope: 'Intelligent, Bighearted, Spew-Your-gefilte-fish-funny' New York Times

Andrew Ridker

Farrago

Torpedo Juice

TIM DORSEY

When serial-killing local historian Serge Storms is off his meds, no one is safe – not Russian hoods, Jamaican mobsters, spoiled frat boys, women's book clubs, down-and-out drug dealers, bad Vegas-rejected local lounge acts . . . 
Even less so when five million dollars in cash in a bugged suitcase is still racing up and down the Eastern Seaboard. 
Welcome to Tim Dorsey's slice of America – where nobody gets out unscathed and untanned!\nWhat people are saying about Serge Storms:\n“Over-the-top, off-the-wall, too-much-is-never-enough, Florida insanity was never described so authentically and with such enthusiasm.” 
“Humor really doesn't get better than this. Dorsey has a style all to his own that is simply not replicated anywhere.” 
“Serge and Coleman are a match made in heaven and I am still laughing … truly a great read and I can't wait to delve into more of Dorsey's work.” 
“This is Pulp Fiction on steroids with an acid tab chaser. There is insanity on every page and every page is a good time. Twists and turns, and some of the most creative homicidal mayhem I have ever read.” 
“… for pure pleasure and entertainment you just can't beat the maniacal style of the Serge Storm series.”\nEditorial reviews:\n“Hilarious. ... Serge Storms is, hands down, one of the most original and just-plain-captivating characters in modern crime fiction.” Booklist 
“Entertaining … funny … irreverent and loving at the same time … [Dorsey] leaves the reader gasping for breath.” Washington Post Book World 
“The characters in Tim Dorsey’s raucous novel would be shot on sight in any other state.” The New York Times Book Review 
“Excellent … I almost exploded with laughter as I read Dorsey’s novel. It’s manic, hysterical, and puts Dorsey well up there with the cream of comic writers who seem to have made Florida the centre for satirizing America in the 21st century.” Independent 
“Twisted hilarity … a compelling page-turner … Tim Dorsey is one sick bunny.” Belfast News Letter

The Stingray Shuffle (A Serge Storms Adventure)

Humor & Entertainment

Dorsey, Tim

Humor

Cadillac Beach (A Serge Storms Adventure)

In the respectable seaside town of Flaxborough, the equally respectable councillor Harold Carobleat is laid to rest. Cause of death: pneumonia.
But he is scarcely cold in his coffin before Detective Inspector Purbright, affable and annoyingly polite, must turn out again to examine the death of Carobleat's neighbour, Marcus Gwill, former prop. of the local rag, the Citizen. This time it looks like foul play, unless a surfeit of marshmallows had led the late and rather unlamented Mr Gwill to commit suicide by electrocution. ('Power without responsibility', murmurs Purbright.)
How were the dead men connected, both to each other and to a small but select band of other town worthies? Purbright becomes intrigued by a stream of advertisements Gwill was putting in the Citizen, for some very oddly named antique items…
Witty and a little wicked, Colin Watson's tales offer a mordantly entertaining cast of characters and laugh-out-loud wordplay.What people are saying about the Flaxborough series:“Colin Watson wrote the best English detective stories ever. They work beautifully as whodunnits but it's really the world he creates and populates ... and the quality of the writing which makes these stories utterly superior.”
“The Flaxborough Chronicles are satires on the underbelly of English provincial life, very well observed, very funny and witty, written with an apt turn of phrase ... A complete delight.”
“If you have never read Colin Watson - start now. And savour the whole series.”
“Light-hearted, well written, wickedly observed and very funny - the Flaxborough books are a joy. Highly recommended.”
“How English can you get? Watson's wry humour, dotty characters, baddies who are never too bad, plots that make a sort of sense. Should I end up on a desert island Colin Watson's books are the ones I'd want with me.”
“A classic of English fiction... Yes, it is a crime novel, but it is so much more. Wonderful use of language, wry yet sharp humour and a delight from beginning to end.”
“Colin Watson threads some serious commentary and not a little sadness and tragedy within his usual excellent satire on small town morality and eccentricities.”
“Re-reading it now, I am struck by just how many laugh-out-loud moments it contains. A beautifully written book.”
“Colin Watson writes in such an understated, humorous way that I follow Inspector Purbright's investigation with a smile on my face from start to finish.”
“If you enjoy classic mysteries with no graphic violence and marvellously well drawn characters then give the Flaxborough series a try - you will not be disappointed.”Editorial reviews:“Watson has an unforgivably sharp eye for the ridiculous.” New York Times
“Flaxborough is Colin Watson's quiet English town whose outward respectability masks a seething pottage of greed, crime and vice ... Mr Watson wields a delightfully witty pen dripped in acid.” Daily Telegraph
“Arguably the best of comic crime writers, delicately treading the line between wit and farce ... Funny, stylish and good mysteries to boot.” Time Out
“A great lark, full of preposterous situations and pokerfaced wit.” Cecil Day-Lewis
“One of the best. As always with Watson, the writing is sharp and stylish and wickedly funny!” Literary Review
"The rarest of comic crime writers, one with the gift of originality." Julian Symons
“Flaxborough, that olde-worlde town with Dada trimmings.” Sunday Times

Coffin, Scarcely Used (A Flaxborough Mystery)

Literature & Fiction

Watson,Colin

Genre Fiction

Tuesday nights have suddenly turned quite ridiculously noisy in the country town of Chalmsbury, where the good folk are outraged at having their rest disturbed.
It begins with a drinking fountain being blown to smithereens - next the statue of a local worthy loses his head, and the following week a giant glass eye is exploded. Despite the soft-soled sleuthing of cub reporter Len Leaper, the crime spate grows alarming.
Sheer vandalism is bad enough, but when a life is lost the amiable Inspector Purbright, called in from nearby Flaxborough to assist in enquiries, finds he must delve deep into the seamier side of this quiet town's goings on.
Witty and a little wicked, Colin Watson's tales offer a mordantly entertaining cast of characters and laugh-out-loud wordplay.What people are saying about the Flaxborough series:“Colin Watson wrote the best English detective stories ever. They work beautifully as whodunnits but it's really the world he creates and populates ... and the quality of the writing which makes these stories utterly superior.”
“The Flaxborough Chronicles are satires on the underbelly of English provincial life, very well observed, very funny and witty, written with an apt turn of phrase ... A complete delight.”
“If you have never read Colin Watson - start now. And savour the whole series.”
“Light-hearted, well written, wickedly observed and very funny - the Flaxborough books are a joy. Highly recommended.”
“How English can you get? Watson's wry humour, dotty characters, baddies who are never too bad, plots that make a sort of sense. Should I end up on a desert island Colin Watson's books are the ones I'd want with me.”
“A classic of English fiction... Yes, it is a crime novel, but it is so much more. Wonderful use of language, wry yet sharp humour and a delight from beginning to end.”
“Colin Watson threads some serious commentary and not a little sadness and tragedy within his usual excellent satire on small town morality and eccentricities.”
“Re-reading it now, I am struck by just how many laugh-out-loud moments it contains. A beautifully written book.”
“As always, hypocricy and skulduggery are rife, and the good do not necessarily emerge triumphant. Set aside plenty of time to read this book - you won't want to put it down once you've started it!”
“Colin Watson writes in such an understated, humorous way that I follow Inspector Purbright's investigation with a smile on my face from start to finish.”
“If you enjoy classic mysteries with no graphic violence and marvellously well drawn characters then give the Flaxborough series a try - you will not be disappointed.”Editorial reviews:“Watson has an unforgivably sharp eye for the ridiculous.” New York Times
“Flaxborough is Colin Watson's quiet English town whose outward respectability masks a seething pottage of greed, crime and vice ... Mr Watson wields a delightfully witty pen dripped in acid.” Daily Telegraph
“Arguably the best of comic crime writers, delicately treading the line between wit and farce ... Funny, stylish and good mysteries to boot.” Time Out
“A great lark, full of preposterous situations and pokerfaced wit.” Cecil Day-Lewis
“One of the best. As always with Watson, the writing is sharp and stylish and wickedly funny!” Literary Review
"The rarest of comic crime writers, one with the gift of originality." Julian Symons
“Flaxborough, that olde-worlde town with Dada trimmings.” Sunday Times

Bump in the Night (A Flaxborough Mystery)

The gripping sight of four burly policemen manhandling a bath down the front path of a respectable villa isn't one the residents of Flaxborough see every day.
Net curtains twitch furiously, and neighbours have observations to make to Chief Inspector Purbright and Sergeant Love about the inhabitants of 14, Beatrice Avenue. Nice Gordon Periam, the mild-mannered tobacconist, and his rather less nice (in fact a bit of a bounder) lodger Brian Hopjoy had apparently shared the house amicably.
But now neither man is to be found and something very disagreeable seems to be lurking in the drains… Then a couple of government spooks turn up, one with an eye for the ladies - the drama is acquiring overtones of a Bond movie!
Witty and a little wicked, Colin Watson's tales offer a mordantly entertaining cast of characters and laugh-out-loud wordplay.What people are saying about the Flaxborough series:“Colin Watson wrote the best English detective stories ever. They work beautifully as whodunnits but it's really the world he creates and populates ... and the quality of the writing which makes these stories utterly superior.”
“The Flaxborough Chronicles are satires on the underbelly of English provincial life, very well observed, very funny and witty, written with an apt turn of phrase ... A complete delight.”
“If you have never read Colin Watson - start now. And savour the whole series.”
“Light-hearted, well written, wickedly observed and very funny - the Flaxborough books are a joy. Highly recommended.”
“How English can you get? Watson's wry humour, dotty characters, baddies who are never too bad, plots that make a sort of sense. Should I end up on a desert island Colin Watson's books are the ones I'd want with me.”
“A classic of English fiction... Yes, it is a crime novel, but it is so much more. Wonderful use of language, wry yet sharp humour and a delight from beginning to end.”
“Colin Watson threads some serious commentary and not a little sadness and tragedy within his usual excellent satire on small town morality and eccentricities.”
“Re-reading it now, I am struck by just how many laugh-out-loud moments it contains. A beautifully written book.”
“As always, hypocricy and skulduggery are rife, and the good do not necessarily emerge triumphant. Set aside plenty of time to read this book - you won't want to put it down once you've started it!”
“Colin Watson writes in such an understated, humorous way that I follow Inspector Purbright's investigation with a smile on my face from start to finish.”
“If you enjoy classic mysteries with no graphic violence and marvellously well drawn characters then give the Flaxborough series a try - you will not be disappointed.”Editorial reviews:“Watson has an unforgivably sharp eye for the ridiculous.” New York Times
“Flaxborough is Colin Watson's quiet English town whose outward respectability masks a seething pottage of greed, crime and vice ... Mr Watson wields a delightfully witty pen dripped in acid.” Daily Telegraph
“Arguably the best of comic crime writers, delicately treading the line between wit and farce ... Funny, stylish and good mysteries to boot.” Time Out
“A great lark, full of preposterous situations and pokerfaced wit.” Cecil Day-Lewis
“One of the best. As always with Watson, the writing is sharp and stylish and wickedly funny!” Literary Review
"The rarest of comic crime writers, one with the gift of originality." Julian Symons

Hopjoy Was Here (A Flaxborough Mystery)

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Mystery

Lucky Miss Seeton! A modest Premium Bond win means a whole week in legendary Glastonbury. She can draw and drink in the surroundings, just what she needs for her scene-painting role in the village production of ‘Camelot’. 
By coincidence, the kidnapped Heir to an industrial family may be hidden around there and Chief Superintendent Delphick has asked the ex-art teacher to create some of her famous, insightful sketches. Even he is nonplussed by the resulting images of capering sheep in straitjackets, flashing false teeth! 
But the Heir is in danger, a murderer is lurking, and the first victim may not be the last. Then fortune favours Miss Seeton again, her raffle ticket winning her a hot air balloon flight, and well, it’s just amazing what you can see from above . . . 
Serene amidst every kind of skulduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella!\nWhat people are saying about Miss Seeton:\n“Miss Seeton is a hoot! I was torn between laughter and eye rolling with each page turn. The characters are loveable and thoroughly British. This is a perfect specimen of classic British mystery.“ 
“What a joy Miss Seeton is. Why did I wait so long to read them? Splashy characters, lovely setting, and just plain funny.” 
“I've become a Miss Ess addict. Great characters that get better with each book. A must for anyone who loves a good British cozy with a twist, and surprising revelations of what a good brollie can do in a pinch.” 
“What a great series. This is one of the best in English light reading mysteries.” 
“Miss Seeton is a delightful sendup of the amateur sleuth. If your doctor has prescribed laughter as the best medicine, run and buy the entire series as fast as you can.”\nEditorial reviews:\n“A most beguiling protagonist!” New York Times 
“Miss Seeton gets into wild drama with fine touches of farce . . . This is a lovely mixture of the funny and the exciting.” San Francisco Chronicle 
“This is not so much black comedy as black-currant comedy . . . You can’t stop reading. Or laughing.” The Sun 
“Depth of description and lively characters bring this English village to life.” Publishers Weekly 
“Fun to be had with a full cast of endearingly zany villagers . . . and the ever gently intuitive Miss Seeton.” Kirkus Reviews 
“Miss Seeton is the most delightfully satisfactory character since Miss Marple.” Ogden Nash 
“I think, on the whole, Miss Seeton is the most loveable and entertaining of any of today’s fiction detectives. May she live forever.” London Mystery Selection

Miss Seeton Flies High (A Miss Seeton Mystery)

Crane, Hamilton

A sunny summer’s day at the Hurlingham Club resounds to the thwack of ball on racket, as Britain’s young hopeful, the splendidly named Trish Thumper, seems likely to knock out her American opponent. Yet not all the eyes following Trish’s strokes belong to tennis fans – it soon emerges that her father, the notoriously stern Judge William Thumper, has made an enemy who will stop at little to harm him and his daughter.
But the wrongdoers have reckoned without artistic sleuth Miss Emily Seeton, who in a series of apparently mistimed shots with torch and umbrella, defeats them game, set and match.
Serene amidst every kind of skullduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella!What people are saying about Miss Seeton:“Miss Seeton is a hoot! I was torn between laughter and eye rolling with each page turn. The characters are loveable and thoroughly British. This is a perfect specimen of classic British mystery.“
“What a joy Miss Seeton is. Why did I wait so long to read them? Splashy characters, lovely setting, and just plain funny.”
“I've become a Miss Ess addict. Great characters that get better with each book. A must for anyone who loves a good British cozy with a twist, and surprising revelations of what a good brollie can do in a pinch.”
“What a great series. This is one of the best in English light reading mysteries.”
“Miss Seeton is a delightful sendup of the amateur sleuth. If your doctor has prescribed laughter as the best medicine, run and buy the entire series as fast as you can.”Editorial reviews:“A most beguiling protagonist!” New York Times
“Miss Seeton gets into wild drama with fine touches of farce . . . This is a lovely mixture of the funny and the exciting.” San Francisco Chronicle
“This is not so much black comedy as black-currant comedy . . . You can’t stop reading. Or laughing.” The Sun
“Depth of description and lively characters bring this English village to life.” Publishers Weekly
“Fun to be had with a full cast of endearingly zany villagers . . . and the ever gently intuitive Miss Seeton.” Kirkus Reviews
“Miss Seeton is the most delightfully satisfactory character since Miss Marple.” Ogden Nash
“I think, on the whole, Miss Seeton is the most loveable and entertaining of any of today’s fiction detectives. May she live forever.” London Mystery Selection

Advantage Miss Seeton (A Miss Seeton Mystery)

Charles, Hampton

Miss Seeton at the Helm (A Miss Seeton Mystery)

Literary

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