Clownfish Blues: A Novel

Florida’s least scrupulous types are fixated on the ever-increasing jackpots in the State Lottery, but they’ve drawn the attention of good-hearted lawyer Brook Campanella and journalist Reevis Tome. Meanwhile, self-appointed Florida historian (and occasional murderer) Serge A. Storms is out doing good deeds in the style of the TV show Route 66. And when Brook, Reevis, and the criminal element all converge, Serge will be there, dispensing his own peculiar brand of violent justice…

Clownfish Blues is the latest in Dorsey’s ongoing tribute to the weirdness and wonder of the state, but even for a Serge book, this is pretty chaotic. The plot only comes together in the last twenty pages or so, and honestly, it wraps up far too conveniently for my tastes. (Serge feels like a non-factor, rather than the Puckish agent of chaos he’s meant to be.)

That being said, it’s nice to see two of the most likable side characters in the series get some more screen time, and it looks like elements of this book will continue in the next installment.

But with few entertaining deaths and a lot of handwaving distractions, this one didn’t live up to the lofty expectations set by previous novels.