Books

Notable Florida mysteries

By TImes staff writer
Published February 18, 2007

Three Sunshine State thriller writers have recent books.

Head Games (Thomas Dunne, $24.95) is the second novel by Thomas Cavanagh, who has written for Nickelodeon. Despite his pesky brain tumor, retired police detective Mike Garrity gets drawn into hunting a missing member of a boy band through the surreal environs of Orlando. Publishers' Weekly calls Garrity a "wonderfully crotchety protagonist."

Hurricane Punch (William Morrow, $24.95) is the latest from tireless (see Book Talk) Tampa writer Tim Dorsey. This time, Serge A. Storms, whose resume includes "spontaneous archaeology, historical loitering, raconteur for the opposition" and, oh, killing people (but only the ones that need killing), takes on a rival serial killer as well as hurricanes, politicians and the media. Publishers' Weekly says the novel's "scathing humor strips the pretense off its targets."

Bermuda Schwartz (St. Martin's Minotaur, $23.95) is the third book in Bob Morris' rollicking series about former NFL player turned palm tree farmer Zack Chasteen. This time, Zack goes on vacation and gets caught up in murder, bank fraud and a search for a legendary religious relic. Publishers' Weekly praised the novel's "wry humor and engaging Bermuda history."

Colette Bancroft, Times book editor

[Last modified February 16, 2007, 10:45:52]